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Why won't proctor allow his confession to be nailed to the church door

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Final answer:

John Proctor, from “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller, refuses to have his confession nailed to the church door to protect his reputation and maintain his personal integrity, which showcases his concern for the lasting impact on his family's name.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question refers to a character named Proctor from the play “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller. Proctor is asked to confess to witchcraft and have his confession nailed to the church door, but he refuses. His reasoning centers around his concern for his reputation and the impact it would have on his name and the names of his family members.

Proctor understands the power of public shame and the lasting effects a written confession could have, determining that it would forever brand him and his descendants as liars and witches. Therefore, Proctor's refusal to allow his confession to be nailed to the church door is a stand against the loss of his personal integrity and an assertion of his identity.

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