Act 4

I have failed, I came to free those wrongly accused of witchcraft but instead I ended up in jail. I should have stayed far away from Abigail and remained faithful to my wife.  I should have listened to Elizabeth and gone to the court with what Abigail originally told me. I should be home, discussing the birth of my fourth child and my future with Elizabeth. I should not be in jail now.

I saw Elizabeth today. It should have been a jubilant and blissful moment, but she revealed many depressing things.  She told me that almost one hundred people have confessed to witchcraft. Giles Corey was also killed, despite never pleading guilty or not guilty to the charges against him. I know he made the right decision not to say anything to the court, but I still could not believe the absurdities going on in.  I asked Elizabeth if she thought I should confess. I just want the persecutors to feel the weight of guilt when they see they hanged me, an innocent man. Nevertheless, it is the right decision to confess and hopefully regain Elizabeth’s trust. Elizabeth refused to judge my resolution. I was in the middle of making my confession, when Rebecca Nurse entered. Danforth began asking me questions regarding Rebecca Nurse’s sins, but I refused to speak of anything but my own sins. Under the pressure of Danforth I finally signed the confession, but hesitated to hand it to him. At that moment, I decided that enough people witnessed my suspected crime and there was no need to give the document to Danforth. I tore the confession in two. Danforth immediately called for the Marshal, as Parris and Hale tried to convince me to change my mind.

My mind was already made up. I refused to lie, and for that I gave up my life. I want my children to remember me as I was subsequent to this scandal, an honest man.  

John Proctor

Act 3

Giles Corey and I are headed to the court today to prove the innocence of our wives. He believed if we could convince governor Danforth that the witch accusations were false, we could save them.  I convinced Mary Warren to speak before the court; she will testify that the girls are lying about the witchcraft rumors. While in the court, I declared for Mary that she never saw spirits. Danforth then asked me if I knew that the entire premise of the court was that God is speaking through the children. I understood what he was alluding to, and let Danforth continue to question Mary. I told Danforth that obviously my purpose for this was to free Elizabeth, not to overthrow the court! I feel like everyone at the court was against me. Cheever declared that he thought I was not a good Christian man, saying that I don’t go to church and my youngest son has yet to be baptized. I couldn't believe that this man would accuse me of not being a fine Christian.

Danforth then revealed to me that Elizabeth was pregnant, although they can find no sign of it. I know that my wife never lies, so it must be true. Danforth tried to offer me a deal, which was to keep Elizabeth another month and if she begins to show signs of pregnancy, they will keep her another year until she delivers the baby. I could tell that Danforth thought I was going to drop the charge, but I wasn't giving up that easily. I had a testament with 91 names who each gave their good opinion of Rebecca, Elizabeth, and Martha.

Abigail Williams, Susanna Walcott, Mercy Lewis, and Betty Parris then entered the courthouse. I admit it was rather impulsive decision, but I confessed that Abigail and I had an affair. Abigail did not deny this and they brought out Elizabeth to back up my testimony. I was so overjoyed to have seen her that I almost forgot I was fighting for both our safety. Danforth asked Elizabeth why she dismissed Abigail. I was praying silently to myself that she would also admit I had an affair, but sincere and protective Elizabeth said only that Abigail dissatisfied her. I knew she was only answering this way to defend me, but I wish she knew I had already confessed.
John Proctor

Act 2

Elizabeth and I got into a fight today. I can never seem to please the woman. No matter how patient I am or how much I atone for my sins, she remains cold and distant. When she heard that Abigail and I were alone only for a moment, the looks of torment and grief in her eyes were extreme. Our fight continued to intensify; she even pressured me to tell the court of Abigail’s false accusations. I told her I would consider it, but I worry that my word might not be enough.

Mary Warren then arrived from the court, and gave Elizabeth a rag doll and spoke of the accused. Elizabeth’s name “was mentioned” she said! I was shocked and horrified that Elizabeth’s name was mentioned; Elizabeth suspects Abigail wants her dead. As we continued to argue, Reverend Hale appeared in the door. He said he was at our house to see what was going on. He announced that he wanted to question both of us and asked me why I have missed so much church recently. The truth is I really just disagree with Reverend Parris; I think he is materialistic and greedy and want nothing to do with him.  He also asked me to recite the Ten Commandments. I could recite all but one, adultery, I was mortified, but at least Elisabeth was there to comfort me.

Before Reverend Hale left, I gained the courage to inform him that according to Abigail William’s the children’s sickness had nothing to do with witchcraft. I could tell he was suspicious that I kept this information for so long, but I told him that until now I didn't know about the witch accusations. We began to argue about people confessing for witchcraft and the accusations. Before we could discuss the topic further, Cheever came to my door demanding Elizabeth for the crime of witchcraft. Elizabeth was crying and frightened as she was being hauled away. I promised I would bring her home soon.
John Proctor

Act 1

The girls of Salem seem to be afflicted with an illness of some kind. Just the other day Mr. Putnam directed the town’s attention to witchcraft. Witchcraft! This is the first I have ever heard of witchcraft and I don’t know how I feel towards it. Soon, the whole village will follow Mr. Putnam in saying that witchcraft is involved somehow; I am sure of it.

I must confide to something else. I feel rather guilty, but I cannot have this resting on my conscience any longer. Abigail Williams and I were alone while Reverend Parris and Giles Corey were arguing nearby.  She began flirting with me! I tried to change the subject and asked her what the stories of witchcraft were about. She told me that the girls were dancing in the woods and her uncle scared them, causing Betty to become unstable. I could taste the trouble on Abigail’s lips as she told the story and warned her to be careful.  I tried to leave, I swear I did, but she stopped me. She begged me for my attention, the kind I have given her in the past. This is not true; I am through with that. She then blamed Elizabeth for blackening her name.  I dismissed these false accusations and tried to silence Abigail. I tried to defend Elizabeth as much as I could. We went back inside to determine the reasons for Betty’s agony. Rebecca and I kept looking for reasonable causes, but Mr. Putnam continued to point to witchcraft.

John Proctor 

Pre-text

I am overwhelmed with guilt. I so badly wish to live an honest life, not one filled with adultery, pain, and heartbreak. My only hope is for Elizabeth to never find out about Abigail. Elizabeth has been nothing but a loyal, appreciative, wife for all these years. I cannot afford to lose her now. I know I do not deserve a wife as excellent as Elizabeth; she deserves a man who would never think of committing adultery while she was sick. I must keep this secret concealed.  

I recognize that I cannot trust Abigail. She is just a child and who knows how far she will go to be with me. If she makes our affair public, my reputation as a conscientious Puritan will be finished. I wish to be well respected in my community, not pitied and ridiculed by my fellow acquaintances.

 I know Abigail does not appreciate Elizabeth the way I do. She is jealous of her. She has every right to be, after all, I told Abigail shortly after our affair that it was a mistake. I proclaimed to her that I had a devoted wife and that my behavior was out character. I made it clear that it could never happen again. Abigail is so headstrong and stubborn; I cannot imagine what she would do if the thought entered her mind to try and hurt Elizabeth. The guilt is eating away at me. I just wish to feel carefree again, free from the chambers of sin that I have been locked in by.

John Proctor