Act Four Response

Act four concludes the play, but also represents a strong theme through John Proctor. The theme is pride; John Proctor must choose to live with himself as a liar, an outcast from the town (in a social matter), or choose to remain silent and die with honor. At first, John tries to go in between; he is reluctant to sign any confession on paper, and would only confess verbally. In the end, when Danforth is not persuaded, he decides to hold his head up high. “Because it is my name!...Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on my feet of them that hang!...I have given you my soul; leave my name!” (Page 143). He wants his name to be cleared, for he cannot live with himself in a lie (the lie of being a wizard). John Proctor even says that honor is important, and to die with it, is even more important. “…Show honor now, show a stony heart and sink them with it!” (Page 144). John Proctor is finally facing himself. He now realized the great dishonor of adultery. He did not want his name to be spoiled any more than it was; thus, he was hanged before he would to confess a lie.