Do Schools Kill Creativity?
Dallin Bringhurst February 12, 2013 1st Persuasive Essay There is much anonymity when it comes to knowing who is an Eagle Scout. I feel that an Eagle Scout conducts a life style that represents a good person. The scout law states: “A scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. ” John Proctor holds many traits that are similar to an Eagle Scout. I will focus on three basic aspects of the scout law and how John Proctor relates to them. First, I will relate how John Proctor shows bravery in the face of death. Then, I will argue how he is loyal to his family.
Finally, I will demonstrate that he is helpful. These three basic traits are taught inculcation by many leaders in our community. I will now go into further detail on my topics. First, bravery is a rare trait, especially when faced with death. John Proctor demonstrated bravery by standing before a Judge and taking blame for the girls’ blasphemy behavior. John Proctor says, “I speak my own sins; I cannot judge another. I have no tongue for it. ” (page 131) John Proctor remained brave throughout the trail as he testified before Judge Danforth. He says, “Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life!
Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang! How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name! ” (page 138) His bravery ultimately led to his fateful death as he was sentenced to be hung. Second, loyalty is something that bonds relationships. Being a loyal person is having high values. I see it as giving up something that can offer immediate happiness for something that has lasting happiness. John Proctor struggled with being loyal to his wife because he had an affair with another woman; he was licentious in his behavior.
John becomes more loyal to his wife when she was accused of being a witch. The following quote by John Proctor proves that he is loyal to his wife. He says, “‘I’ll tell you what’s walking Salem – vengeance is walking Salem. We are what we always were in Salem, but now the little crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom, and common vengeance writes the law! This warrant’s vengeance! I’ll not give my wife to vengeance! ‘” Act 2, Scene 4, pg. 73. He also says, “Life, woman, life is God’s most precious gift; no principle, however glorious, may justify the taking of it. ” (Act IV).
To be loyal is a great attribute in life because it will show how good a person really is. John was a good person for remaining loyal to his wife throughout the trails. Finally, I will talk about being helpful to others by starting off with a quote by Clarence Darrow: “The best that we can do is to be kindly and helpful toward our friends and fellow passengers…” (“Clarence S. Darrow quotes 1998-2005”). We must be helpful to others who are in need of out help. John Proctor is seen as a very helpful man. In the book he is being found helping his neighbors out with their farms or cutting wood.
In conclusion, I have just gone over the three basic attributes that I believe makes a good person. I related how John Proctor continued to be brave when faced with death. Then, I argued how he remained loyal to his wife. Finally, I demonstrated that he is helpful. These three attributes relate to John Proctor in many ways as he uses these life style choices in his life throughout The Crucible. John Proctor is a good man in a world plagued with evil. This final quote sums up the man that was John Proctor, “It is rare for people to be asked the question which puts them squarely in front of themselves”.
