John contemplated his actions and reached an influential decision towards what his fate would be after all, he believed, he could control it. As he stated defiantly, "I want my life... I will have my life" (78). After john confessed, he believed he had done Elizabeth and the children good, for they were wellspring of his life. He would be free, and accepted by Salem still. The powerful effect of his trial and disagreement and its conflicting with Salem's way of life had already left a silent, yet profound mark on the community.
Knowing that imperfection lurked among the good folk, the government wished to announce to the world who the sinning man was. Proctor was paradox to this- he neither wished, nor believed anything of the sort, as his name was the only thing left of him. The church and the government robbed him of everything else that could make him a man- his honor, his morals, his shame. Towards the very end of his tribulation, he states, "I do think I see some shred of goodness in John Proctor. Not enough to weave a banner with, but white enough to keep it form such dogs... show honor now, show a stony heart and sink them with it!"(64). Horrified, he could not accept any more torture to himself. He thought he was free, nothing more to give. Yet, for Proctor, it was too much. A line had to be drawn somewhere. That line was the good name of John Proctor- and little did he know, his opinion would drive his after out of Salem and into the horrors of death. In the play, Miller displays how easily people can be fooled by the innocence of youth. He also exposes the gullibility of common people, even people such as Danforth and Hathorne, who play the role of the "wise" judges. A single