John Proctor: Hero or Stooge?

Due to the circumstances in the play, John Proctor could be considered either a hero or a stooge depending at the point of view. His role (or lack thereof) in the church leads the people of the court to perceive him as a stooge. They think he's lying about everything and he looks stupid being the only one telling the truth (or lying, in their eyes). He's kind of ruined his reputation in church, what with not baptizing one of his kids and rarely going to church. To the town, he looks like he's made a lot of mistakes, then realizes he doesn't want the life he's living, so he's trying to change it. However, it's too late.
To a person who knows or suspects the truth (for example, Hale or the reader of the play), Proctor looks pretty heroic. He's the first to put all the pieces together and fights for justice in a town plagued by the opposite. By the end of the play, Proctor's decisions and logic do seem heroic, and more people have realized that Proctor actually is a good person. The first decision he makes is to confess (lie) because he knows he's already sinned, and can live with another lie. Due to his religion, he believes his soul cannot be saved. He learns that he cannot handle it and dies, but has support.