I believe John Proctor decides to confess as he values his life very much, in particular his wife Elizabeth Proctor and family. He does not want to leave her, and admires her very much. In the early beginning of their conversation, John asks how the baby and his sons are going. After hearing about them, he decides he wants to confess, probably due to the fact he wants to be there for his family which he loves very much. He was very confused about his decision, he asked Elizabeth for her advice on the situation, her reply simply being "I cannot judge you, John, I cannot!" It is his choice to sign his name on the confession documents. However, John has a change of heart as he begins to sign the confession. Rebecca Nurse, who along with John is also to be hanged that morning for involvement with the devil, says something to him that will question his next move. Danforth asks Rebecca to confess as John did. Rebecca, surprised and disappointed in John, replies, "Oh, John - God send his mercy on you!" Danforth repeats, a little frustrated, "I say, will you confess yourself, Goody Nurse?" but Rebecca replies with dignity, "Why, it is a lie, it is a lie; how may I damn myself? I cannot, I cannot." After this, and when Parris and Danforth announce his signed papers will be shown to all at the church window, John decides he would rather stand for the truth and support his friends. He couldn't bare to sign away his name and be damned to hell for lying and sinning. He decides he is a good, honest man, and that is the way he will die too.
1 comment:
i liked how you involve Rebecca Nurse in your paragraph to strengthen your point as to why John didn't want to confess and then did, as we'll as including the quote "Why, it is a lie, it is a lie; how may I damn myself? I cannot, I cannot."
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