Why do you think John
Proctor decides to confess? Why does he change his mind? Give evidence for both
your answers. Post on your blog before Friday's lesson.
Proctor, in the beginning, asked his wife what she wanted him to
do. He believed that he could not walk from one spot to another without Goody
Proctors guidance and approval. However, Elizabeth does not want to have her
husband on a leash all his life and tells him, “It is not for me to give.” He
asks her forgiveness because he knows that he has done the wrong thing by
committing adultery and he believes he will feel better by asking forgiveness.
She then says, “.,.it come to naught that I should forgive you, if you’ll not
forgive yourself…It is not my soul, John, it is yours…Whatever you do, do it as
a good man does it.” Elizabeth still believes John is a good man, but he has to
forgive his own sins before he can move on. He dwelled upon the fact he
committed adultery and had changed as a person because of it. He then decides
he wants to live his life with Elizabeth and his children. After John signed
his name on the paper, he then tears it up because he realized he would not be
able to go through with the lie. He cries “…because it is my name, and I will
not have another in my life…” Proctor cannot go through with this lie because
it will blacken his name against God’s book and he will be sent to hell. Taking
back his confession, he finds the strength in himself to stand straight and proud
when hanged and Elizabeth says, “He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it
from him!” She is proud of Proctor because he was able to stand up to himself
and make a choice he was happy with.
Good job - i agree with this bit [elizabeth thinks] "he has to forgive his own sins before he can move on" and I also like how his fear in hell strives him to confess.
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