Internally, John Proctor struggles with guilt and shame over his affair with Abigail Williams. This moral conflict is the catalyst for his internal development. His sense of guilt not only strains his marriage with Elizabeth Proctor, but also weighs heavily on his conscience. Proctor’s internal battle is with his own sense of integrity and the need for redemption.
Externally, John Proctor’s conflict arises from the witch trials in Salem. He is caught in a web of accusations and societal hysteria.