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The Crucible (essay on John Proctor)

In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, John Proctor is a flawed, conflicted character. Proctor is a man whose mistakes lead him to a place of self-doubt. Throughout the novel, he teteers on an inner scale of self-confidence and self-worth vs. self-hatred and self-deprecation. It is only at the end of the novel that he decides that his identity is worth clinging onto, although, paradoxically, this means being hanged. It is an important realization for Proctor that he would rather die as himself, with at least a shred of dignity and self-worth, than live feeling confined, oppressed, and used by Danforth and the church. Proctor is both a failure and an ultimate hero because his fatal mistake, his moral sin, leads him to acknowledge his flaws, forgive himself, and realize his personal worth and integrity.

Prior to the events in the story, John Proctor has a short-lived affair with Abigail Williams, who was the servant of Proctor and his wife Elizabeth. Out of some place of desperation or loneliness, and discontentedness with himself, Proctor lusted for this young, charming girl. He regrets his decision immensely and falls into a place of despair and self-hatred, convinced he can never right his wrong and is now forever dishonorable and sinful. Great stress is put on his relationship with his wife, Elizabeth, whom he still loves. There is a feeling of separation between them, a cold distance that discomforts them both. At the end of the play, Danforth and the others allow Elizabeth to see John before he is set to be hanged, his punishment for refusing to admit to witchcraft. John looks to his wife to help him justify his actions. Elizabeth tells her husband, “John, it come naught that I should forgive you, if you’ll not forgive yourself” (136). Elizabeth understands that John feels as though she must forgive him before he can forgive himself. But she also knows that ultimately, he must come to terms with his actions and that he can only set himself free from his burdensome guilt—she can’t do that for him. Throughout Proctor’s conversation with Elizabeth, he demonstrates that he is wrangling with his notions of morality, self-worth, and self-forgiveness. His determination to redeem himself and willingness to own up to what he did prove that despite making an appalling moral error, he is still a moral hero.

Proctor ultimately decides to deny allegations of witchcraft. He refuses to live under the false pretense of committing and admitting to witchcraft, appeasing the church, and being used as another name in the storm of accusations and anxiety occurring in Salem. By letting himself be hurled into the pool of the accused, Proctor feels that the church is taking his soul and using him, an important name in town, to make their cause look legitimate. He says, “God knows how black my sins are!” (142) and in spite of this, God doesn’t need his name nailed up on the church doors for the world to see—this matter is between him and God. Proctor’s inner strength and sense of self-worth are demonstrated when he declares to Danforth and Parris, “You have made your magic now, for now I do think I see some shred of goodness in John Proctor. Not enough to weave a banner with, but white enough to keep it from such dogs” (144). Proctor strives to come to terms with his past sins and acknowledge that he is more than his shortcomings—they needn’t forever weight him down. Similar to how Proctor’s decision to be hanged or confess changes back and forth, his belief in himself wavers, but he finally decides to forgive himself: in an ultimate inner battle for self-worth, Proctor prevails. He dies as himself, cognizant of his righteousness as well as of his flaws.

Throughout the play, John Proctor’s mistakes weigh him down and lead him to a place of self-doubt. Ultimately, he is able to forgive himself and learns to view himself as no less of a person than anyone else despite moral wrongs he has committed in the past. Ironically, by fully believing in himself and deciding that his identity is worth not giving up to the merciless Danforth and Parris, he is hanged. However, Proctor’s life ends when he is truly himself, flaws included, rather than continuing to live feeling used and oppressed by the church. Realizing that he would rather die as himself demonstrates Proctor’s growth and courage, making him worthy of the title moral hero. A man who has done no wrong is surely moral, but a man who has done wrong, recognizes it, finds a way to forgive himself, and learns deeper meaning from this emotional trauma is a moral hero.

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• The Crucible

Arthur Miller

• Literature Notes
• John Proctor
• Play Summary
• About The Crucible
• Character List
• Summary and Analysis
• Act I: Scene 1
• Act I: Scene 2
• Act I: Scene 3
• Act I: Scene 4
• Act I: Scene 5
• Act II: Scene 1
• Act II: Scene 2
• Act II: Scene 3
• Act II: Scene 4
• Act III: Scene 1
• Act III: Scene 2
• Act III: Scene 3
• Act IV: Scene 1
• Act IV: Scene 2
• Act IV: Scene 3
• Act IV: Scene 4
• Character Analysis
• Abigail Williams
• Reverend Hale
• Character Map
• Arthur Miller Biography
• Critical Essays
• Arthur Miller's Narrative Technique in The Crucible
• Historical Period: Puritans in Salem
• Full Glossary for The Crucible
• Essay Questions
• Practice Projects
• Cite this Literature Note

Character Analysis John Proctor

John Proctor is a tormented individual. He believes his affair with Abigail irreparably damaged him in the eyes of God, his wife Elizabeth, and himself. True, Proctor did succumb to sin and commit adultery; however, he lacks the capacity to forgive himself. Unsurprisingly, his relationship with Elizabeth remains strained throughout the majority of the play. He resents Elizabeth because she cannot forgive him and trust him again, but he is guilty of the same thing. In fact, his own inability to forgive himself merely intensifies his reaction to Elizabeth's lack of forgiveness.

In addition to struggling with the weight of his sin, the fact that he must reveal his transgression torments Proctor. His best possession is his good name and the respect and integrity associated with it. Once he acknowledges his affair with Abigail, Proctor effectively brands himself an adulterer and loses his good name. He dreads revealing his sin because guilt and regret already overwhelm him. Proctor believes a public display of his wrongdoing only intensifies the extent of his sin, thereby multiplying his guilt.

Proctor's decision to tell the court about his affair ironically demonstrates his goodness. He willingly sacrifices his good name in order to protect his wife. Only through his public acknowledgment of the affair does Proctor regain his wife's trust. At the end of the play, Proctor refuses to slander himself by allowing the court to nail his false confession to the church door. This action further exemplifies Proctor's integrity. Proctor knows that he will damn himself, yet again, if he agrees to confess. Although he wants to live, escaping death is not worth basing the remainder of his life on a lie. This realization, along with Elizabeth's forgiveness, enables Proctor to forgive himself and finally regain his good name and self-respect. As the court officials lead him to the gallows, he finds peace for the first time in the play.

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John Proctor's Evolution: A "Crucible" Character Analysis

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John Proctor the True Tragic Hero

This essay will explore the character of John Proctor in Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible” and argue whether he fits the mold of a tragic hero. It will analyze Proctor’s virtues and flaws, his conflict with the societal norms of Puritan Salem, and his ultimate downfall. The piece will discuss the elements of tragedy in the play, drawing parallels with classical definitions of a tragic hero, and examining how Proctor’s character reflects the broader themes of integrity, guilt, and redemption. PapersOwl showcases more free essays that are examples of Hero.

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Every tragic hero has an encouraging future until some fatal flaw or lapse in judgement shrouds all of their actions, leading to their eventual demise. In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, John Proctor is no exception to this statement; he succumbs to his death because of a failure in reasoning. Another one of John’s characteristics that leads him to be labeled as the tragic hero of The Crucible is his relatable tragic flaw, which is also known as his hamartia.

In his constant effort to save his reputation after making a terrible mistake, he is the root of the deaths of many townspeople. At the end of the play, John will suffer the inevitable consequences of his flaws. He comes to realize that his fate is his own fault. John Proctor’s mistakes, relatable hamartia, along with realizing he is the cause of his own death by a lapse in judgement, characterizes him as the tragic hero in The Crucible.

John Proctor’s affair with Abigail Williams, who was once his servant, is his ultimate mistake that leads to his deathly downfall. In Puritan culture, the crime of lechery is only second to witchcraft in the harshness of the consequences associated with each crime. Proctor is having a conversation in the upper room of Reverend Parris’ house and tells Abigail, “Abby, you’ll put it out of mind. I’ll not be coming for you no more,” when Abigail tries to convince Proctor that he still has feelings for her and does not love his wife anymore (Miller 1139). He is trying in any way he can to get Abigail from coming at him in a romantic way. Proctor knows that if he lets the affair get too much further out, his life and moral, upright reputation could be at stake. As Proctor tries to keep Abigail quiet, he is also fighting a war on the home front. John’s wife, Elizabeth, fired Abigail seven months prior to John’s conversation with Abigail. Elizabeth’s actions towards John avertedly reveals that she knows of the affair, and John wants to mend the relationship between him and his wife; he says, “When will you know me, woman? Were I stone I would have cracked for shame this seven month!” Here, Proctor is telling Elizabeth how badly he wishes for her forgiveness. He realizes the severity of his mistake and is tired of dragging out the drama and tension between them since she found out seven months ago. In the end, John Proctor’s life ends because of his lapse in judgement involving Abigail, relating him to the title of tragic hero.

John’s conformality with his relatable hamartia of an error in judgement that was disastrous encourages him fit the character of unfortunate saint, or tragic hero. In Puritanism, the consequences of lechery were unimaginable. Proctor knew this and willingly confessed to that crime in light of bringing Abigail’s lies and deceit to a head. After Mary Warren reveals that she knows about the affair, she tells John, “I have known it, sir. She’ll ruin you with it, I know she will.’ Proctor, hesitating, and with deep hatred of himself: ‘Good. Then her saintliness is done with'” (Miller 1181). Even after Mary Warren reminds Proctor that Abigail will ‘ruin him with it,’ Proctor still wants to bring to light Abigail’s pretense. He knows he messed up, and he is willing to take the blame to save countless people from being hung. Later in the play, John Proctor is talking to Francis Nurse. In order to prove that he is telling the truth, Proctor tells Francis Nurse, “A man will not cast away his good name” (Miller 1206). Proctor explains to Francis Nurse that he is being legitimate about his accusation under the reasoning that he wouldn’t throw his good name away over a lie. He knows and understands that his fall occurs because of his actions. John Proctor is obviously described as the tragic hero in The Crucible on account of his consciousness of his hamartia.

The definitive reason for John’s passing was his failure to comprehend the issues at hand when they occurred. He did not comprehend the gravity of his actions or how they would affect his future when he committed the sin of lechery. Elizabeth and John converse in Act II about John going to Salem and being alone with Abigail; John admits to Elizabeth that he cheated on her when he says, “But I wilted, and like a Christian, I confessed” (Miller 1164). Here, Proctor is pleading with Elizabeth for her forgiveness and is telling her how sorry he is for what he did to her. He also reveals his knowledge of what he did, but it was not until after the fact that he really realized what he had done. Later, when John ends up confessing to Judge Danforth, the head judge in the witchcraft trials, he states, “I have known her, sir, I have known her” (Miller 1206). In this line, Proctor is confessing to his sin of lechery. It is here that Proctor gives up his life and reputation. John knows his inability to understand his troubling issues is a complete purpose behind his passing, further characterizing him as a tragic hero.

When John Proctor commits the sin of lechery, he commits the action that will ultimately lead to his demise. Proctor knew this after the fact and willingly confessed to that crime in order to bring Abigail’s lies and deceit forward. Even after Mary Warren reminds Proctor that Abigail will ‘ruin him with it,’ Proctor still wants to bring to light Abigail’s subterfuge. The ultimate reason for John’s passing was his inability to grasp the issues at hand when they arose. He did not comprehend the enormity of his actions or how they would affect his future when he committed the sin of lechery, making him the tragic hero in Arthur Miller’s The Crucible.

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John Proctor's Power in The Crucible Essay Example

Power is defined as, “the capacity or ability to direct or influence the behavior of others or the course of events.” In the drama, written by Arthur Miller, The Crucible, constant power plays happen between all characters, whether that power is Referent, Legitimate, Expert, Coercive, Information, or Reward. John Proctor has built a name for himself in the town of Salem but that reputation is soon ruined. Yet, John manages to make excellent use of his power, forever uprooting the true inhumanity of the Salem witch trials. 

John Proctor has a good reputation in Salem, already having a solid foundation of Referent power, the power given to someone because they are liked and respected. John Proctor is described as “respected and even feared in Salem” (Miller, 144; act 1). This type of power is hard to phrasal. Referent power isn’t like Coercive power, using punishments or threats, or Legitimate power, power because of one’s position or title. They rely heavily on the will of people to obey them, making these powers extremely unreliable. 

All suddenly comes crashing down when John Proctor is put into a compromising position and has to confess to committing adultery, having slept with Abigail. He tries to delegitimize Abigail’s outlandish accusations by divulging Abigail’s true feelings of jealousy towards Elizabeth. John Proctor’s name is abruptly tainted. Then comes a second and final blow to his reputation when Mary Warren accuses John of witchcraft, exclaiming “You’re the Devil’s man!” (Miller 3.108-109). John Proctor admits to this false accusation, taken to be put in shackles and sentenced to death. A truly frustrating turn of events. 

Then, when it seems that John has completely lost all of his power, he makes the last-minute decision to not sign the paper to admit to witchcraft. John insists that “it is [his] name! Because [he] cannot have another in [his] life!” (Miller, 4.25-26), therefore completely stripping Danforth of any of his Legitimate power, a power which is given because of their title or position. This comes as a complete shock to Danforth, thinking that his position and power as a judge would never be tested like this. John Proctor does not take the easy way out; admitting to witchcraft and living a relatively peaceful life, but instead keeping his integrity and demanding respect. By choosing not to admit to witchcraft, John successfully turns the tables, regaining his Referent power through admirable defiance. But, his honesty is a double-edged sword, for he will be hanged. Although John could have easily lied, he instead puts the lives of his children before his own. Right up until the end he considers the consequences of lying, his two boys having to forever be taunted by the people of Salem for having a father who practiced witchcraft. 

John Proctor, although he does lose his power halfway through the play, proves just how effective Referent power can be. His adamancy to remain with integrity and not succumb to the threats of Coercive power makes his name respected among the people of the town. John Proctor is truly a good man whose death surely disrupts the confidence Salem had in the witch trials being an effective tool to respond to accusations of witchcraft.

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Essay on John Proctor

Students are often asked to write an essay on John Proctor in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on John Proctor

Introduction.

John Proctor is a key character in Arthur Miller’s play “The Crucible”. He is a farmer in Salem, Massachusetts, who stands against the madness of the witch trials.

Character Traits

Proctor is a strong, brave man with a rebellious spirit. He values truth and integrity, even when it comes at a high cost.

Conflict and Resolution

Proctor’s conflict is his secret sin—adultery with Abigail. However, he chooses honesty, confessing his sin publicly, and is hanged for it.

John Proctor’s character shows the importance of truth and integrity, even in the face of grave injustice.

250 Words Essay on John Proctor

John proctor: a symbol of integrity.

John Proctor, the protagonist of Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible,” is a character of great complexity. His intricate personality and tragic predicament are central to the play’s examination of the Salem witch trials.

Proctor’s Moral Complexity

Proctor is initially portrayed as a man with a strong moral compass, yet he is flawed by his past infidelity. His affair with Abigail Williams, which sets the play’s events into motion, is a testament to his human imperfections. Despite this, he remains a symbol of integrity within the chaotic setting of Salem.

Proctor’s Heroic Stand

As the witch trials progress, Proctor’s moral strength is tested. His decision to expose his own sins to reveal Abigail’s deceit demonstrates his commitment to truth. His refusal to sign a false confession, even at the cost of his life, underscores his unwavering adherence to his principles.

The Tragic Hero

Proctor’s death is the ultimate tragedy of the play. His demise, however, is not in vain. It serves as a powerful critique of the hysteria and irrationality that characterized the Salem witch trials. His final act of defiance against the court’s injustice is a poignant reminder of the importance of personal integrity.

In conclusion, John Proctor is a deeply flawed but fundamentally good man who values truth and integrity above all else. His struggle and ultimate sacrifice make him a compelling and tragic figure, providing a profound commentary on the dangers of mass hysteria and the power of personal conviction.

500 Words Essay on John Proctor

John Proctor is a complex character from Arthur Miller’s play, “The Crucible,” set during the Salem Witch Trials of the 17th century. Proctor, a farmer in his mid-thirties, is a character of high moral standing, but his tragic flaw—his affair with Abigail Williams—sets off a chain of events that ultimately leads to his downfall.

Character Analysis

Proctor is a paradoxical character. On one hand, he is a man of integrity who values honesty and truth. He is respected in Salem, and his voice carries weight. However, his affair with Abigail, a young girl who served his household, tarnishes his moral standing. This dichotomy in his character makes him a deeply flawed yet relatable figure.

His guilt over the affair leads him to despise hypocrisy, especially when he sees it in the religious leaders of the community. This distaste for hypocrisy, coupled with his guilt, drives him to challenge the legitimacy of the witch trials, despite the risks involved.

Proctor’s Role in the Salem Witch Trials

Proctor’s role in the Salem witch trials is pivotal. He becomes an outspoken critic of the trials, questioning their validity and the motivations of those involved. His opposition to the trials stems from his belief in truth and justice, and his understanding of the manipulative nature of Abigail, who is one of the main accusers.

However, his credibility is undermined when his affair with Abigail is revealed, making him a target of the witch trials. His refusal to falsely confess to witchcraft, despite the threat of execution, highlights his commitment to truth and integrity.

In the classical sense, Proctor can be seen as a tragic hero. His character flaw—his past infidelity—leads to his downfall, but it also triggers his journey towards redemption. His decision to maintain his integrity, even at the cost of his life, illuminates his transformation from a flawed individual to a man of honor.

In his final act, Proctor chooses to die rather than sign a false confession, stating, “I have given you my soul; leave me my name!” This declaration underscores the value he places on truth and his personal integrity.

John Proctor is a man caught in a storm of his own making. His affair with Abigail sets off a series of events that lead to his death. However, his journey is not one of unmitigated tragedy. Through his struggle, he achieves a moral victory, reclaiming his integrity and standing up against the hysteria of the witch trials. His character serves as a powerful exploration of guilt, redemption, and the human capacity for moral resilience in the face of societal pressure.

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Jamelle Bouie

When pregnant patients ‘become radioactive to emergency departments’.

By Jamelle Bouie

Opinion Columnist

I thought I would follow up my Tuesday column on abortion rights with this report from The Associated Press, on the state of emergency services for pregnant women.

One woman miscarried in the lobby restroom of a Texas emergency room as front desk staff refused to check her in. Another woman learned that her fetus had no heartbeat at a Florida hospital, the day after a security guard turned her away from the facility. And in North Carolina, a woman gave birth in a car after an emergency room couldn’t offer an ultrasound. The baby later died. Complaints that pregnant women were turned away from U.S. emergency rooms spiked in 2022 after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, federal documents obtained by The Associated Press reveal.

The A.P. goes on to note that in states where lawmakers have either effectively banned abortion or issued extreme restrictions on the procedure, pregnant patients have “become radioactive to emergency departments.” Doctors do not want to risk fines, criminal charges and potentially jail time for ending a pregnancy, even when it’s medically necessary to save the life of the patient. The result, as The A.P. shows, is needless suffering:

The staff at Person Memorial Hospital in Roxboro, N. C., told a pregnant woman who was complaining of stomach pain that they would not be able to provide her with an ultrasound. The staff failed to tell her how risky it could be for her to depart without being stabilized, according to federal investigators. While en route to another hospital 45 minutes away, the woman gave birth in a car to a baby who did not survive.

In many states where abortion bans and restrictions have undermined maternal care, the laws have exceptions for rape, incest, certain fetal abnormalities and the life of the mother. In theory, those exceptions are supposed to give medical providers the leeway to end pregnancies when necessary. In practice, they aren’t worth the paper they’re printed on. When you’ve created a punitive legal environment for a medical procedure, it does not matter how many exceptions you write into the law. You’ve created a world in which doctors will hesitate or refuse to perform that procedure, no matter what.

Republican lawmakers do not seem too concerned with the fact that there are no real exceptions to their abortion laws. The laws, it seems, are working as intended.

What I Wrote

My Tuesday column was about the resurrection of Arizona’s 19th-century abortion law and what it tells us about how democracy is going in the states.

The states’ rights case for determining abortion access — let the people decide — falters on the fact that in many states, the people cannot shape their legislature to their liking. Packed and split into districts designed to preserve Republican control, voters cannot actually dislodge anti-abortion Republican lawmakers. A pro-choice majority may exist, but only as a shadow: present but without substance in government.

My Friday column was on the United Auto Workers’ drive to unionize the auto plants of the South, which won a key victory on Friday, and how that fits into the history of the political economy of the region.

Organized labor was and remains a threat to the political and economic elites of a region whose foremost commitment is to the maintenance of an employer-dominated economy of low-wage labor and its attendant social order.

And in the latest episode of my podcast with John Ganz, we discussed the 1995 cyberpunk thriller “Johnny Mnemonic.”

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Sarah Leonard on Judith Butler for The New Republic.

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I took this photo last October (or was it November?) on my Graflex Crown Graphic, using Kodak Ektar film. I think it is magnificent! Look at those colors!

Now Eating: Coconut Black Bean Soup

A simple, easy soup to make for lunch or for a light dinner. If you’re watching your saturated fat, feel free to use “light” coconut milk, which is coconut milk minus the coconut cream. You could also omit coconut altogether and use cashew cream, which is easy enough to make from raw cashews . I like to serve this with steamed rice in addition to garnishes like cilantro, fresh lime juice and pickled red onions. Recipe comes from the cooking section of The New York Times .

Ingredients

1 large white onion, peeled

2 limes, 1 halved and 1 cut into wedges

1 ¾ teaspoons kosher salt (Diamond Crystal, or use ¾ teaspoon Morton), plus more to taste

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 jalapeño, seeded if desired and minced

1 bunch cilantro, stems and leaves separated

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 teaspoon cumin seeds

½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

3 (15.5-ounce) cans black beans, drained

1 (13.5-ounce) can full-fat coconut milk

1 cup vegetable or chicken stock, plus more if needed

Cut the white onion in half lengthwise and then cut lengthwise again into quarters. Thinly slice one quarter of the onion. Add slices to a small bowl and stir in the juice of ½ lime and ¼ teaspoon salt. Set aside for serving. Dice the remaining onion and reserve.

Heat a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium-high. Once hot, add the oil. Add the diced onion and cook until tender and golden at the edges, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute or until fragrant.

Stir in the jalapeño. Mince ¼ cup cilantro stems and add to the pan. Cook until the jalapeño and cilantro stems are tender, about 2 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste, cumin seeds, black pepper and remaining 1½ teaspoons salt. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until the tomato paste darkens.

Add in the black beans, coconut milk and stock. Bring to a boil and lower heat to a simmer. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the mixture is thick.

Use an immersion blender or blender to purée the soup until half-smooth and still a little chunky. Add more stock if you want a brothier soup.

Stir in the juice of the remaining lime half and ½ cup of chopped cilantro leaves. Taste and add more salt and lime juice as needed. Serve topped with the pickled onions and more chopped cilantro, and with lime wedges alongside.

Jamelle Bouie became a New York Times Opinion columnist in 2019. Before that he was the chief political correspondent for Slate magazine. He is based in Charlottesville, Va., and Washington. @ jbouie

Home — Essay Samples — History — John Proctor — John Proctor A Tragic Hero

John Proctor a Tragic Hero

• Categories: John Proctor Morality Tragic Hero

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Words: 759 |

Published: Mar 19, 2024

Words: 759 | Pages: 2 | 4 min read

Table of contents

The concept of tragedy, john proctor: a flawed but admirable character, interactions with other characters, the power of integrity and redemption.

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