What are three reasons John Proctor thinks he should confess to witchcraft in The Crucible? What are three reasons why he shouldn't confess?

Reasons for John Proctor to confess:

1. Other people have confessed to the lie. Goody Ballard and Isaiah Goodkind are specifically named. 


2. He wants to live. 


3. He wants to continue to be a father and husband.


4. Elizabeth says she wants John to stay alive. 


5. John's good name is already tarnished because of his affair. Confessing a lie won't do much more damage.  

My honesty is broke, Elizabeth; I am no good man. Nothing's spoiled by giving them this lie that were not rotten long before.

Reasons not to confess:

1. John knows he is confessing a lie. He is a good man, and knows a lie will further tarnish his name and reputation. Additionally, Puritans believe confessing a lie will likely sentence them to Hell.


2. Other people John deeply respects have not confessed. John specifically asks if Rebecca Nurse and Giles Corey confessed. They have not, and John doesn't want to "spoil their names."


3. John can't imagine raising his kids having confessed a lie. It will haunt him and tarnish the opinion his children have of their father.


4. By confessing, John would give the court what they want to hear. He admits he doesn't want to confess out of spite. He doesn't respect the court, and he doesn't want to give them what they want to hear.  

Spite only keeps me silent. It is hard to give a lie to dogs.