John had a lot to deal with. He had to worry about getting his wife's forgiveness, he had to worry about Abby coming after her, he had to worry about how the town would look at him if they ever found out that he and Abby were having an affair. Despite all this he always tried to do the right thing. So with his inner melting pot he had to decide what was best for him and his family. Here is an example where John confessed to lust, so they take Elizabeth out of prison and interrogate her to confirm that he is indeed a libertine. In an attempt to save John's name, however, Elizabeth denies the fact that he ever cheated on her making John look like a liar. John shouts at her and says, “Elizabeth, I confessed it!” (Act III,113). John decided that his last ditch effort was to put his reputation on the line and be known as a rake in an attempt to save his wife from being known as a witch. Because if Abby had had an affair with John, then Abby's accusation would have been seen as revenge and therefore Elizabeth would have been freed. The wife then denies everything saying that John is a good man and has never cheated. John at this point realizes in his mind that he is basically screwed. He will be seen as a liar and she will be sent back to prison. Likewise, in the next example he has to make another difficult decision. John was given the choice to save his life by signing his name on the document that will hang on the church door for all to see, but instead he decides it would be better to die and keep his name pure. He leaves us with this quote that will decide his fate “Because it's my name! Because I can't have another one in my life!” (Act IV,143) John makes one of the most difficult decisions a person could ever make. He has to decide whether or not he wants to live with a dirty name and possibly be ridiculed and his family be ridiculed too or he can die saving his name and family.