The Crucible False Confession Analysis

In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, many people believe that nothing is worth dying for, and that one should always confess a lie than die for their belief. Reverend Hale is a character that believes in this kind of life style, and one who also tries to convince others of his way of thinking. He tries to persuade Elizabeth Proctor to tell John Proctor that he should not sacrifice himself for his beliefs. Elizabeth denies his request and believes no one should ever give a false confession. No man should ever give a false confession because it is a sin, that person will always live with guilt, and it will eventually lead to even more chaos later on in their life. Anyone who states a false confession will live with guilt of lying for the rest of their lives. Proctor does not want to lie to himself anymore and live with even more guilt. Proctor exclaims to Mr. Danforth that he will only have one name. Proctor then explains how he has lied before in his life and does not …show more content…
Considering that most characters in the play are Puritan, committing a sin is not a good thing to do. Some may argue that dying for anything is much too extreme for any one principle or belief. Although this may be true, others would argue that dying without a sin, would be much better than dying with one. Giving a false confession may save one’s life at that moment, but everyone will die eventually; thusly, one will also die with a sin. Therefore, most Puritans would not want to have a sin on their reputation. One Puritan in the play, John Proctor, believes in this and does not want to die with anymore sins than he already has. Proctor shouts, “I am John Proctor! You will not use me” (Miller 99; act 4)! Proctor does not need his name to be used as an example for his sins. He wants to die knowing that his sin will not live on without him. Therefore concluding, that dying without a sin will be much better than dying with a sin on one’s self-conscious and