The Crucible: Study Guide, Act 4
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What has happened in Salem during the three months since the end of Act 3?
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More people have been condemned, there are signs of rebellion due to the town of Andover--orphans in Salem beg for food, and cattle roam the streets, suggesting a community in chaos
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What is the mood of Salem at the beginning of Act 4?
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The mood is fearful, tense, and resigned
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How might the mood of Salem be responsible for what finally happens?
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It seems that the fear of losing authority leads the judges to proceed, and many seem to be resigned to their fate
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Why might Herrick be nearly drunk at the beginning of Act 4?
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Executions are scheduled for that morning, and he probably feels guilty for his part in the trials
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How many people have been hanged so far?
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11--Giles Corey was pressed to death
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Why does Danforth say that Reverend Hale has \"no authority to enter here\"?
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Hale quit the court at the end of Act 3
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What is the mental state of the Reverend Parris in Act 4?
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He seems somewhat unstable, weeping for no reason
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Why are there cattle wandering the town?
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With all the citizens who are under arrest, there is no one to take care of them on their farms
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What information has Parris been withholding for a few days?
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Abigail and Mercy Lewis have left the village after stealing money from Parris, and there is talk they have fled on a ship
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Why is the disappearance of Abigail of such concern to Danforth?
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Abigail is Danforth's most important witness, and he's worried that her disappearance will affect the credibility of the court
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What else might happen if Abigail has fled the town?
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Mary Warren and the other girls might begin recanting their testimony
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What does Parris suggest should be done about the hangings scheduled for this morning?
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He thinks they should be postponed for a time
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How many citizens of Salem have been hung by this point in the play?
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12
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Who is scheduled to hang this morning?
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Rebecca Nurse and John Proctor
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What is Hale doing back in Salem?
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He is trying to convince the condemned that they should lie and confess to being witches in order to save their lives
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Though Danforth fears that postponing the executions will make him look weak, what does Hale think of delaying the hangings?
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Hale thinks that the townspeople will see him as merciful if he postpones the hangings while trying to get some of the condemned to confess
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Why is Hale so sarcastic with Danforth?
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Mr. Hale has blood on his head, as he feels responsible
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Why does Mr. Hale feel so responsible for the witch hunts that have taken over Salem?
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He'd thought to bring salvation, but has only fanned the flames of the hunt, and has caused great suffering
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What might be motivating Parris to recommend postponing the executions, and in trying to get Proctor to confess?
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He probably fears that opposition to him will increase if these two respected townspeople are hanged
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What is ironic about the discussion of which of the condemned might be \"brought to God\"?
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It's ironic that \"being brought to God\" means confessing to witchcraft
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What is a tragedy?
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A drama that ends with the downfall of a main character
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What is a tragic hero, and who is this play's tragic hero?
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John Proctor is the tragic hero because he has many admirable qualities, but makes a single mistake that brings about his downfall
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What is the downfall of the tragic hero of the play?
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Proctor's secret relationship with Abigail
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What does Proctor refuse to do after signing his confession?
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He won't name any names of people he saw with the Devil
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Why does Proctor retract his confession?
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It also condemns his friends as witches
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How is Proctor like the playwright?
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Just like John Proctor, Arthur Miller refused to name names, even though he admitted his own guilt
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Why does Miller describe Proctor as \"weeping in fury, but erect\"?
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The play is about moral courage, and this description shows a fearful man who conquers his fears
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What does Elizabeth finally admit to herself and John?
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That her cold heart is partly to blame for his infidelity
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Elizabeth says, \"He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him!\" What does she mean?
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Proctor finally realizes the goodness that was always in himself, and she won't take away his chance at salvation
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Why does Proctor sign the confession and refuse to have it posted on the church, thereby saving his life?
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His name is worth more than his life, and the need to post his name means the court is not concerned with 'saving souls'
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What do Hale's dealings with the condemned reveal about his values and his character?
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He has lost faith and values life more than piety
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What might Proctor's decision mean for him?
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He can maintain his dignity and his self-respect--his name
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What might Proctor's decision mean for Salem?
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His sacrifice might serve as an inspiration
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What parallel was Miller was trying to draw between the witch trials and the emotional environment of the HUAC hearings?
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The trials of Salem created a climate of fear and suspicion in which innocent people confessed to crimes to avoid punishment and betrayed innocent friends to save themselves, just like those victimized by McCarthy
