John Proctor's Confession in The Crucible

Why does John Proctor admit to having an affair with Abigail?

A. Because Abigail accuses Mary of witchcraft

B. Because Elizabeth asks him to tell the truth

C. Because he is bewitched by Abigail Williams

D. Because Abigail has proof of the affair

Answer:

B. Because Elizabeth asks him to tell the truth.

Explanation:

Arthur Miller's "The Crucible" revolves around the Salem Witch Trials that took place in the small town of Salem in Massachusetts. The play focuses on the accusations and conviction of almost a hundred people from the village.

John Proctor was at first reluctant about admitting his affair with Abigail, who's been accused of 'dancing' in the woods. But when Abigail began accusing numerous people of witchcraft, among them his wife Elizabeth Proctor and Mary, their maid, Proctor began to try to save innocent people from being hanged. And in an attempt to prove to the court that Abigail is 'no child' but someone capable of doing things like the accusations, John Proctor admitted to their affair. He admits "I lusted, . . . But it is a whore's vengeance", referring to what Abigail is doing.

Thus, the correct answer is option B.

Final answer:

John Proctor admits to having an affair with Abigail because Elizabeth asks him to tell the truth.

Explanation:

John Proctor admits to having an affair with Abigail because Elizabeth asks him to tell the truth. In the play The Crucible by Arthur Miller, Elizabeth learns about the affair and believes that John should confess to save his own life. By admitting to the affair, John hopes to protect his wife and expose Abigail's dishonesty.

In Arthur Miller's play The Crucible, the character John Proctor chooses to admit his affair with Abigail Williams to the court in an attempt to discredit her. By doing so, John Proctor hopes to expose Abigail's manipulative behavior and undermine her false accusations of witchcraft. He confesses his adultery not because Abigail accuses Mary of witchcraft, but because he believes it's the only way to save his wife, Elizabeth, and the others wrongly accused. However, his confession does not have the intended effect and instead leads to his own downfall.

← Ending slavery a call to action The tone and theme of the rape of the lock →