In Act Four of Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible, John Proctor says, “I cannot mount the gibbet like a saint. It is a fraud. I am not that man. My honesty is broke, Elizabeth; I am no good man. Nothing’s spoiled giving them this lie that we are not rotten long before.” At this point in the play, Proctor is dealing with his guilt and what it means to confess to witchcraft, which he hasn’t done, just to save his life. He feels that by lying and pretending to be someone he isn’t, he would just add to the existing lies in Salem. The “gibbet” represents not only his upcoming execution but also the pressure from society to be a martyr, something he feels he cannot be because of his past mistakes, like cheating. When he says he is "not that man," Proctor admits his faults and realizes that his honesty is broken. This deep self-reflection shows the theme of seeking redemption and the burden of one’s conscience, stressing that he doesn’t want to live a life built on lies. Through Proctor's struggles, Miller shows the natural human desire for truth and the harmful impact of society’s expectations on a person's morals.
Put the text below into simpler words without changing the quotations.
In Act Four of Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible, John Proctor says, “I cannot mount the gibbet like a saint. It is a fraud. I am not that man. My honesty is broke, Elizabeth; I am no good man. Nothing’s spoiled giving them this lie that we are not rotten long before.” At this moment in the play, Proctor is grappling with his sense of guilt and the moral implications of confessing to witchcraft, something he has not committed, in order to save his life. He believes that by bearing false witness and pretending to be someone he is not, he would add to the mountain of deceit that has already engulfed Salem. The “gibbet” symbolizes not only his impending execution but also the societal expectation of martyrdom, which he cannot embody due to his past sins and moral failings, including adultery. When he refers to himself as "not that man," Proctor acknowledges his flaws and recognizes that his integrity is compromised. This profound self-reflection highlights the theme of personal redemption and the weight of one’s conscience, emphasizing that his life is not worth living if it is built on a lie. Through Proctor's struggle, Miller reveals the human instinct to seek authenticity and the devastating effects of societal pressures on individual morality.
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