Final answer:
At the end of the act, we learn that Mary Warren's motives are driven by fear, guilt, and a desire to protect herself.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Arthur Miller's play 'The Crucible,' Mary Warren's motives at the end of the act are revealed through her internal conflict between fear and guilt. Initially, Mary Warren joins the group of girls accusing others of witchcraft, including innocent people like Elizabeth Proctor. She does this out of fear of Abigail Williams, who is the ringleader of the girls and holds significant power over them.
However, as the play progresses, Mary Warren starts to feel guilty for her role in the false accusations and the harm caused to innocent people. She witnesses the devastating consequences of the trials and sees the innocent being sentenced to death. This guilt begins to outweigh her fear of Abigail.
At the end of Act III, Mary Warren decides to confess the truth and expose the girls' lies. She brings a poppet to court as evidence that the accusations are fabricated. However, when Abigail accuses Mary Warren of witchcraft and the other girls turn against her, Mary Warren becomes overwhelmed by fear once again.
Despite her initial intention to do the right thing, Mary Warren's motives ultimately shift back to self-preservation. She renounces her confession, claiming that John Proctor forced her to lie. This decision is driven by her fear of Abigail's power and the potential consequences of going against her.
In conclusion, Mary Warren's motives at the end of the act are a complex mix of fear, guilt, and self-preservation. While she initially wants to expose the girls' lies and save innocent lives, her fear of Abigail and the other girls ultimately leads her to retract her confession and protect herself.