John Proctor: Hero or Stooge?

From the beginning, I have absolutely hated John Proctor for many reasons. This is including the fact that he, a married man, has had an affair with a 17 year-old girl. I also find John Proctor an easily resentful man. So it is really hard for me to say that in fact, I believe John Proctor is a hero. This is because I really believe that towards the end of the story, The Crucible, John actually did try saving Salem from the madness that was taking over the community. John was one of the only really sensible people in Salem that actually knew these accusations of witchcraft were absurd. John Proctor knew the truth about the girls and he wanted to let everyone in the community know it as well. He felt bad and did not want the others to be ignorant in the sense where they believed something that was completely made up. He wanted to basically 'save' Salem from this witchcraft madness, even if it meant tainting his own image. He would risk his own good name in order to get the truth known by everyone. "She used to serve me in my home, sir. A man may think God sleeps, but God sees everything." John Proctor confessed to having an affair with Abigail, to get everyone to figure out she was lying when she accused others of witchcraft. "...a man will not cast away his good name sir, you surely know that." Here Proctor is explaining to the judge of the community that he is not just throwing away his good name for nothing, and that he is telling the truth. When I read this section, I gained a lot more respect for John Proctor as a character in this story. The fact that he was willing to give up his good reputation for the truth shows a lot about the man he is. I can definitely say that my feelings towards John have changed throughout the course of the story. So all in all, I truly believe that John Proctor is a hero.