Why does Proctor confess first?

Why does Proctor confess first?

When he initially confesses, it is to save his life so that he will be there for his children. Elizabeth, you’ll remember, is also sentenced to die after she gives birth to the baby she is carrying. Proctor’s confession would let him live and his children would have at least one parent left to them.

Why does Proctor at first agree to confess in Act 4?

He says that he does not hold out, like Rebecca and Martha, because of religious conviction. Rather, he does so out of spite because he wants his persecutors to feel the weight of guilt for seeing him hanged when they know he is innocent. After wrestling with his conscience for a long time, Proctor agrees to confess.

Why does Proctor confess his sin?

So, in a final attempt to defend Elizabeth, his wife, and discredit the vindictive Abigail, John Proctor confesses his sin of adultery committed with Abigail in order to explain her motives in discrediting Elizabeth who has fired her after learning about the affair.

What does his confession reveal about his character?

What Proctor’s confession says about his character is that he has a strong sense of right and wrong, and will not succumb to the mob mentality found in the village at this time. Elizabeth lies to Danforth solely to protect her husband.

Why does John say he will confess to witchcraft?

By stating he is a witch, John Proctor feels that giving them this lie verbally, is in line with his view of himself as a sinner in the eyes of God and a fraud in the eyes of the ones he loves. However, posting his signed confession holds a deeper truth for John Proctor.

What does Proctor end up confessing about himself?

Proctor confesses orally to witchcraft, but refuses to implicate anyone else. Danforth informs him that the court needs proof of his confession in the form of a signed, written testimony. Proctor confesses verbally to witchcraft, and Rebecca Nurse hears the confession.

What does John Proctor say in his confession?

After having signed, then ripped up his confession, John Proctor declares that he cannot throw away his good name in a lie, even though doing so would save his life. He chooses to die. As John is led away to his execution, Rev.

What is Proctor confess Act 3?

Proctor leaps at Abigail and calls her a whore. He confesses his affair with her and explains that Elizabeth fired her when she discovered it. He claims that Abigail wants Elizabeth to hang so that she can take her place in his home.

Why does Proctor confess lechery Why does he think Danforth and Hathorne will believe his confession Why don’t they believe him?

John Proctor confesses because he wants to save his wife from being accused of witchcraft. This is difficult for the crime of lechery or adultery is a grave offense. He thinks Danforth and Hathorne will believe him because because his wife is a good woman.

Why did John Proctor sign a false confession?

Initially, John Proctor decides to offer a false confession and sign the document in hopes of saving his life. Proctor recognizes that he is a sinner and refuses to “mount the gibbet like a saint.” He considers himself a fraud for pretending to be as righteous as Rebecca Nurse or…

What did John Proctor think of himself in the Crucible?

All throughout the play, John Proctor has thought of himself as a “fraud,” a word he uses to describe himself in the fourth act when he is considering whether or not to confess to witchcraft and save his life.

Why does Proctor lie to the court to save his life?

In Proctor’s eyes, the court has no moral standing whatsoever. Lying to them to save his life is, for this reason, not really a lie. He is merely feeding the court according to its nature. Proctor stops short of naming names of others because he does not want to condemn anyone. He only wants to save himself.

Why is Proctor not guilty of the Salem witch trials?

Proctor is simply not guilty. He has already confronted the court and exposed the lies at the root of the Salem witch trials, yet the court persists in carrying out its death sentences. Danforth’s reasons for continuing are far from morally convincing. In Proctor’s eyes, the court has no moral standing whatsoever.