Character Analysis of John Proctor The consequences of shirking accountability for ones actions are depicted through the tribulations John Proctor faced, in Arthur Miller’s, The Crucible. Although John reluctantly became involved in the Salem witch trials, his initial silence proved to be the downfall of not only himself, but of his fellow townspeople as well. John Proctor remained silent for one reason, and that was to protect himself. As a result of his self-serving desires to avoid the consequences of his actions, innocent citizens were put to death. Survival is one of the primal instincts of human nature.