The Crucible Act 4

1. Do Now: Look at the photo on page 197. Where are Proctor and the women being taken? What about the photo conveys a sense of hopelessness?

2. execution “ it’s a proper morning to fly into Hell ” day’s events will be very grim jail-like appearance of the cart chains that bind the characters – no escape, Proctor looks vacant, like a caged animal the woman next to him has her eyes closed, trying to block out the scene or showing resignation

3. Sarah Good’s state of mind is fragile and almost delirious – responds to the Devil as an unseen master and babbles about being transformed into a bluebird and flying off to Barbados with Tituba

4. In lines 52-80 “bitter cold” outside (58) no fire for warmth (76-77); the only physical comfort is “old rags and straw” (55) the smell is terrible (80 )

5. People have been executed - the cows are wandering aimlessly around the village since their owners have died orphans in town crops are rotting Parris is acting as though he were insane – guilt?

6. Parris asks Danforth to postpone the executions Parris is actually trying to save his own skin-villagers are doubting the veracity of the trials and to blame Parris for instigating them

7. Abigail and Mercy Lewis they have disappeared, along with all Parris’ money – worried about their own safety Parris fears there will be a riot the people of Andover have overthrown the court, fed up with the witchcraft trials – rebellion

8. People like Rebecca Nurse and John Proctor still carry a lot of weight in the town; their deaths might result in vengeance, especially toward Parris

9. The confession of a Rebecca Nurse or a John Proctor would convince the town that anyone can be linked with the Devil and that the witch trials were accurate I f they maintain innocence the town might have doubts about the court; honest people will weep for them and the purpose of the court will lose its goodness since it will be seen as killing good people

10. Parris - there was a dagger stuck in his door – a warning or assassination attempt

11. Danforth cannot pardon those who refuse to confess because 12 people have already been hanged for the same crime to pardon others would be unjust and cast doubt

12. Mob action that rises from hysteria feeds on excessive emotion from the crowd Parris is afraid that hysteria will turn against him

13. Hale is trying to convince Rebecca Nurse and John Proctor to lie and to admit to witchcraft feels guilty for participating in the deaths of others and wants to save lives at all cost; he screams “there is blood on my head ”

14. Lines 344-360. He admits that his initial views regarding the witch hunt were misdirected . whatever he touched with his law and religion died; any faith that leads to the loss of life or asks for a blood sacrifice should be abandoned Life is God’s greatest gift “ God damns a liar less than he that throws away his life away for pride. Pride is Lucifer’s sin . ” – pride is worse

15. Elizabeth Proctor is brought to see John to convince him to confess this will prove to the community that the witchcraft charges are true not only about him but about all the other upstanding citizens who are awaiting execution

16. L ines 368-386. Elizabeth is proud and refuses to be controlled by Danforth. “I promise nothing” = defiance. She has been used before and condemned John when she didn’t speak the truth about his affair with Abby = has learned that she cannot trust the court

17. Giles Corey would not answer or acknowledge the charges against him. “ More weight ” - courage his big mouth had gotten his wife in trouble – he refuses to open his mouth to accuse anyone

18. The hysterical search for the Devil was supposed to protect people, instead, it is destroying them. Proctors = a husband and wife are torn apart, a father will die unnecessarily, children lose their parents Elizabeth hasn’t seen the sons in months, the new baby will never know its father

19. Proctor asks which people have confessed to witchcraft he is thinking that he might confess to stay with his family, but none of the good people have confessed – he would feel like a weak fraud, since Rebecca and Martha are not afraid to die

20. John convinced himself that he is not a saint, like Rebecca, so he shouldn’t die a martyr’s death like her. lying to save his life won’t make him any worse of person since he’s a sinner already doesn’t want to be an inspiration fears to leave his children without a father

21. Elizabeth’s advises that he must decide for himself she tells him it was her fault that he had the affair with Abigail, because she was insecure, jealous and cold She never realized what a good man he is and she sees his goodness now (525-6 )

22. Proctor learns that his confession must be written and posted – used as an example and proof Will not condemn Rebecca when asked when he is told to sign the confession – pride and ownership of his name

23. John’s ‘ confession’ must be permanent so it can be used to prove the court’s victory to those that are starting to doubt

24. Proctor argues that he confesses before witnesses and before God – there is no need for paper proof the public isn’t his judge, God is, and God saw him write his name and confess

25. L ines 725-730 Proctor’s name is his reputation and he can’t have another one; he knows that what others say and what he says do not have the same value

26. “ I will not deal in lies ” line 733 Ironic Danforth’s court and judgments are all based on lies

27. Proctor refuses to save himself with lies, dies for truth Elizabeth decides to let him go - “ he has his goodness now, God forbid I take it from him” He is redeemed

28. At the end, John and Elizabeth reconcile They realize that neither one is perfect – she was a “poor” wife, and he turned to sin At the end both of them do the right thing – he refuses to lie, she refuses to make him They forgive one another

29. line 746 Proctor has strength and goodness, which he thought he had lost because of his affair; the court’s injustice gave him back a peace that he had lost Rebecca tell John not to fear because they will get a just judgment when they die – allusion to Heaven

30. John’s conflicts Internal : feelings for Abigail – comes to despise her when he sees what she has done to the town Internal: feelings for Elizabeth – rediscovers his love for her when he sees her strength Internal: decision to confess – saves his reputation and takes back his confession External: Parris – wins the battle by refusing a confession External: Elizabeth – they fall back in love External: court – he refuses to condemn his friends and dies for the truth

31. Tragic Hero Character must be of noble/high reputation Pride blinds them Tragic flaw – pride, greed, lust, ambition, jealousy, etc. Flaw leads to downfall – ruins his career or reputation Enlightenment (near the end of the play) – realizes his sin, he is humble, and accepts consequences Death E veryone everywhere can relate to the kinds of problems or sufferings or emotions

32. Themes society can be shaken by irrational fear importance of integrity – even under persecution U niversal conflicts or themes good versus evil dissent vs. authority individual vs. society fear vs. courage