The Crucible

At one point during high school I was forced to read the book and because I was forced I did not let it make an impression on me. For this reason I don't remember it very well. I recently saw this movie on television (I had seen it before). It wasn't a BAD movie, but it wasn't that spectacular either. However, one part of the film really stuck with me. The male lead, John, was being asked to sign a confession to witchcraft in order to save himself and his wife from death. He signs his name, but then grabs the paper and doesn't want to give it up. The judge asks why he doesn't want to give up the paper he has signed.
(I'm paraphrasing here) "Because it is my NAME. Because I cannot have another. Take my pride, take my possessions, take the very breath from my lungs, but leave me my name!"
It was a plea to leave his identity intact. How much of our identity is shaped or defined by our names. I definitely think that I'd be different if I had been another Ashley or Crystal. I just don't know how different or if it really matters. Little things can affect who we are, does that make them important?