These three forms of rhetoric cross each other in the
character of John Proctor. I think he is depicted as the everyman person who makes
mistakes but wants to do the right thing and be an honorable person if at all
possible.
I see logos (a logical perspective) in Proctor in
many one-liners throughout the text. He tries to achieve understanding amongst parties
in discussion by pointing out simple facts. He does so particularly effectively with
Rev. Parris in Act I when Putnam is getting pushy. Putnam tries to throw his land weight
around to get his way and Proctor reminds him:
You cannot command Mr. Parris. We vote by name in
this society, not by
acreage.
Further in the text,
Putnam challenges Proctor for not being at church, again Proctor comes in with a fact, a
truth:
There
are many others who stay away from church these days because [he] hardly ever mentions
God anymore.
Ethos (an
awareness of the ethical and moral necessities within a person) is demonstrated through
Proctor's efforts to rebirth his marriage. He could have Abigail. She continues to
pursue him after their affair ended months ago. But despite her advances in Act I (They
both have great one liners in there for quotes) he refuses to be tempted again. When she
mentions Elizabeth, his moral indignation rises and he defends his
woman.
Pathos (a person's emotional perspective) displays
itself through Proctor as well. Proctor's anger about all that is going on spurs from
his ethos, his stance that what is going on is wrong. In Act I, Proctor calls it like he
sees it with Rebecca Nurse as they believe the girls are pretending. No one else seems
to see it, but this everyman is willing to stand trial eventually and risk his life for
truth. Throughout his journey his anger is displayed at Abby, Parris and the
magistrates.
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