Term 2 Week 5 Homework

Why does John Proctor decide to confess? Why does he then change his mind?

Initially,John Proctor decides to confess for a few different reasons, on of them being because he feels that he is not worthy of sacrificing his life and that it would be a pretence to do so, as is evident when he states, "I cannot mount the gibbet like a saint. It is a fraud. I am not that man. My honesty is broke Elizabeth; I am no good man. Nothing's spoiled by giving them this lie that were not rotten long before" (p.118). It is evident from this that he feels he is not worthy to die amongst the likes of Rebecca nurse, people who are not tainted by sin, as he feels there is no goodness within him. His wife and family also play a part in this decision, particularly through the fact that his wife has a child on the way and so requires John, as the man of the family, to provide for the family and ensure the best future for their children. This is exemplified in Elizabeth's statement, "I would have you living, John, that's for sure" (p.118).

However, when John then realises that inorder to confess he must have his name nailed to the church door he retracts this confession. The reasons behind this change in mind are quite complex, however root in his conviction that through allowing his name to be signed to this confession and then placed for the village to see, he is blackening his name. This is evident when, after being questioned as to why he refuses, he answers, "Because it is my name. Because I will not have another in my life. Because I lie and sign myself to lies. Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang... I have given you my soul; leave me my name" (p.124). He realises that his name is the last thing he has, and without it he would not be able to live with himself, his pride does not allow him to accept such change. This change of mind is also influenced in part through the recognition that by signing his name he is simply prolonging the histeria and through such association he is responsible in part for the lives of his friends, in particular those like Rebecca that died. This is demonstrated when he asks "How may I teach my sons o walk like men in the world, and I sold my friends? ...I Blacken all of them when this is nailed to the church the day they hang for silence" (p.124)