"The Crucible" - Act 4 Questions and Notes

ACT 4

The scene opens at daybreak, some three months later, in Proctor’s cell.
This cell is very oppressive. In contrast to the previous acts, no sun pours or streams through the windows, no open door gives a glimpse of green fields. The place is in darkness and the moonlight merely ‘seeps’ through the bars. This idea is strengthened by the “high barred window” and the “heavy door”.


· The ‘devil bird’ seen by Sarah and Tituba could serve as a reminder of the bird that Abigail and the others saw in Act 3. In what ways , however, does it seem different?

· How is Hale now regarded by the authorities? What does he feel towards his ministry now?
· Hale and Parris pray together here. Why does this seem strange? Provide a brief character analysis of Parris at this stage.

· List some of the devastations affecting the community as described by Cheever.

Revd. Hale was previously concerned with saving souls and driving out the Devil; now he seems more interested in saving lives. His change in attitude should reflect the views of the audience at this point, identifying and appreciating the difference between saving souls and saving lives.

· Why has Parris waited two days before telling the court of Abigail’s disappearance? Examine Parris’ language here. What is he most concerned with? Has he really changed?
· Why does her flight have serious implications for Danforth?
· What is Danforth’s reaction to events in Andover?
· What do the answers of the previous questions tell you about the character of Danforth?

Danforth does not seem unduly moved by Abigail’s disappearance and the girls are not mentioned again. Despite the fact that the court owes its existence to their accusation, they seem irrelevant now the witch-hunt has taken on a momentum of its own.

· What can you determine about Parris’ mental state from his reaction to the dagger?
· Comment on the stage directions regarding Hale being “steeped in sorrow”.
· Consider Danforth’s argument that to pardon the condemned would only “cast doubt upon the guilt of them that died until now.” Do you have any sympathy for his argument or do you think the judgement is rooted in pride?
· Examine Hale’s speeches on pages 104/105. How is his guilt evident?
· Why does he feel doubly damned for counselling the people to lie, to confess sins of which they are innocent?
· Why do you think Elizabeth called this advice of Hale’s the “Devil’s argument”?
· How do you judge Revd. Hale in light of Elizabeth’s sense of right and wrong?

· What does Proctor’s refusal of cider show of his character, even after months in prison?
· What effect does Giles’ death have on Proctor? In what way does it show a build up pressure on him?
· a) Why would John’s conscience have been eased if Rebecca had confessed?
b) What does her standpoint thus illustrate?
c) Why, yet, does John not feel in the same position as her? (QUOTE)
d) Either mentally or on paper, follow the reasoning by which John changes this apathetic attitude, convincing himself he does have some shred of goodness.

· Proctor knows he has his wife’s support in whatever he decides but she declines to advise him. Is she right to do this? From what you think of her character, what do you think she really feels about John’s initial decision to confess?
· Elizabeth’s response that John should “forgive himself” is strange yet shows her understanding of the situation is deeper than her husband’s. What has she recognised?
· Examine Elizabeth’s moment of truth, shown through her remark, “It needs a cold wife to prompt lechery.”
In light of these revelations, was Abigail right in her judgement of Elizabeth’s “coldness”?

“Then who will judge me?”
There are two answers to John Proctor’s questions: God, and John Proctor. Proctor recognises that a false confession would be a lie, and therefore a sin. Coming to terms with this helps him find the strength to act according to the dictates of his conscience later on.
· Find words from this dialogue, which either conform or betray truth.

· Explain Danforth’s error of judgement in bringing Rebecca before John.
Pressure again mounts for John and the appearance of Rebecca is skilfully done. She speaks hardly at all, but the significance of her appearance lies in her bright greeting and her astonishment at his plans: this is not the John Proctor she knows by his name.

· Consider the dramatic pacing of the climax of this Act. In one sense, we want Proctor to survive, he seems safe, then suddenly he changes his mind in a dramatic twist, has one short speech of justification, then is swept to death and the final curtain.
· Explain how the crux of the problem is highlighted by John’s speech, “I want my name.”
· In what way is the tearing of the confession different to the tearing of the warrant in Act 2? How is John different?
· Parris is in “deadly fear”; Hale condemns John’s decision as stemming from “pride” and “vanity”. Is Hale more interested in the confession for personal reasons? How does he compare with Parris?

Note the similarities between this scene and the first. Does the sun, this time, carry a sense of hope? The end focuses on conscience, not on an historical context. It is conclusive in terms of Proctor’s moral conscience.

“Echoes down the corridor” adds authenticity to the drama.