John's adultery isn't the greatest flaw that he possesses, in actuality it is his pride that hinders Proctor from saving himself from his downfall. Towards the end of the play it is John's honor and good name in the town that keeps him from confessing to adultery, which would have halted the witch trials. Elizabeth even asked him to go into the court and tell them that Abigail and the girls are lying, but his response was a refusal, “I know I cannot keep it. I say I will think on it!”(51), which he refuses due to his dignity. Later, when Elizabeth is arrested, John has to choose between his pride and his wife. Proctor tries to compromise by bringing Mary Warren into the court to save his wife by confessing to lies and “pretense” concerning
