Proctor
feels compelled to retract his confession because he admits that people more innocent and closer
to God are going to be hung. Particularly, Rebecca Nurse, who is an icon of virtue in the
community. She is scheduled to die with Proctor.
Also, there is a practice
that when someone confesses to witchcraft, their land is confiscated and sold at a discounted
price. So if Proctor goes ahead with his confession, being pressured by Danforth and Parris to
sign his name to a written confession to be hung on the church door, he will lose his property
and soil his name, not only for him, but for his sons.
Proctor cries,
"It is my name," he will only have one in his life, therefore, in order to bring
dignity and honor to the Proctor name John must retract his confession. He can't bear the
thought of living with a name that has been disrespected. Since he confessed to the adultery
with Abigail, Proctor feels like he is right with God. He does not want to risk his immortal
soul at this point. His wife, Elizabeth, agrees.
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