He is willing to sacrifice his honor - which he has already done by admitting to adultery - and he can live with the knowledge that others will view him differently if he confesses. Of course Proctor has not practiced witchcraft however, according to himself he is a fallen man, one who has sinned against his wife and himself. Proctor does not consider himself righteous, in fact he recoils from the idea that he is compared to individuals like Rebecca Nurse who are innocent of any wrongdoing. Proctor believes that God will forgive him if he confesses, because, as Hale states, "life is God's most precious gift no principle, however glorious, may justify the taking of it." His desire to remain honest and his desire to preserve his family tear him in two. Proctor knows that signing the confession is lying, and this sacrifice of honor is the hardest for him to bear.
Unfortunately neither one of these happens. On the other hand, perhaps the witch trials will end (as they have in Andover) and the courts will release her. First, she may decide that, although lying is a sin, lying to save her life and protect her family justifies the sin - especially since she already lied in the courtroom. The play suggests, but does not confirm, two possible solutions for Elizabeth. Proctor realizes that Elizabeth will not confess, but agrees to confess anyway. If Proctor confesses and gains release, Elizabeth will still remain in jail. The court has delayed her execution until she gives birth to the child, but she is still scheduled to hang. Note that neither Proctor nor Elizabeth considers Elizabeth's situation. When Proctor tells Elizabeth that he will confess, she understands that he is doing so because he wants them to go home and reestablish their family. She sees that he is now at peace with himself. Hale pleads with Elizabeth to convince Proctor to change his mind. The authorities of the court take Proctor out of the prison toward the gallows. Proctor signs his name to the confession, but destroys the document when he learns the court will post it on the church door. She is shocked by Proctor's actions, and she still refuses to confess to witchcraft. Proctor confesses verbally to witchcraft, and Rebecca Nurse hears the confession.
Danforth informs him that the court needs proof of his confession in the form of a signed, written testimony. Proctor confesses orally to witchcraft, but refuses to implicate anyone else.
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