Premium Essay

The Crucible Act 4

In:

Submitted By rebeckygaskill
Words 935
Pages 4
The Crucible - Act 4

Scene 1
Question 2
We see a worried, distraught Reverend Parris. In the previous act he was a firm supporter of the trials and willing to charge anyone who didn't support them as being against the trials, him, and even God. However, as Act 4 begins, Parris has changed (also like the town). He comes to the court shaking and upset and tells Danforth that his niece Abigail Williams and Mercy Lewis have run away. Parris isn't worried about the girl's well being. Things are made worse as they have broken into his safe and taken his money, "thirty one pound is gone. I am penniless."

From Act I we have seen Parris' concern over his career, his ministry, and his status in town. He went against his initial beliefs that the girls were afflicted with witchcraft when he saw it could actually benefit him if there was such afflictions. Now, his biggest fear has come true. He has lost everything. Reverend Parris also realises that if Abigail and Mercy Lewis have run away because "they fear to keep in Salem any more" it will only be a short amount of time before others in the town also turn against the courts.

Question 3
Reverend Hale enters the court demanding pardons for the condemned prisoners. Danforth says 12 others have already been hung for the same charge; pardons for the rest of the accused would be unjust and would crack the voice of God's law with "whimpering." Hale says a week's postponement would seem like mercy to the public, not weakness. Danforth doesn't listen, he won't postpone the hangings because he won't allow himself, his government, or his God, to look weak. His reputation is more important to him than saving innocent lives.

Danforth asks Hale why he returned to Salem and Hale replies bitterly that he came to convince Christians to lie and confess to crimes they did not commit in order to save their lives.

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

The Crucible Act 4 Analysis

...I will be responding to what Libby Weimer said, “Act Three felt like it solely focused on Abigail and her maniacal doings, but then she just vanishes all of a sudden in Act Four? I was kind of disappointed that Arthur Miller didn't put more detail into Abigail leaving, as she was an important character throughout the acts. The only thing in Act Four that gave us a clue on where Abigail went is when Parris told Danforth and Hawthorne she was gone. "Excellency, I think they be aboard a ship. My daughter tells me how she heard them speaking of ships last week, and tonight I discover my—my strongbox is broke into," Said Parris (Miller Page 132). I just wish you could get more detail on why she left and her thoughts about the witch trials and about...

Words: 259 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Crucible Theme

...(Miller 1962) is a common theme throughout the works of the famous playwright, Arthur Miller. Respect and reputation is a widely dispersed theme throughout The Crucible. Its many different occurrences that are displayed from start to finish of this play, make this specific theme one of the most important. In The Crucible, the idea of one’s reputation and their social standings swayed the thoughts and actions of many individuals. When the witchcraft accusation was brought about in Salem, “it was the ideas of reputation that determined whether or not the accused individuals were actually guilty of the crime.” (Shoop Editorial Team). One of the occasions that the theme of reputation took place was in the very beginning of the play. In act 1, when Reverend Parris caught his daughter Betty and his niece Abigail dancing in the woods, he was worried about what the other people in the town were going to think. He was anxious to discover what the people of Salem were going to say about him when they discovered that his daughter and niece might have possibly been performing acts of witchcraft. This is proven when he said, “Now look you, child, your punishment will come in its time. But if you trafficked with spirits in the forest I must know it now, for surely my enemies will, and they will ruin me with it.”(The Crucible. Act 1. Scene 1.) Parris was also worried that the people who already disliked him were going to ruin his name further. His thoughts of action were to control the rumors...

Words: 1032 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Migration of My Dad's Stupid Job

...The Crucible Act Four Questions Short Response Answer the following questions based on your knowledge of the drama. Write a response on a separate sheet of paper. 1. Where does Tituba think that the Devil is going to take her? 2. Give one example of how Abigail shows her dishonesty in this act. 3. What effect do the trials have on Salem? Use three details from the drama to support your answer. 4. When first arrives at the Salem jail, Danforth complains, “There is a prodigious stench in this place.” How might this line be read to mean something besides a comment on the smell? 5. How is Giles Corey’s character reflected in his death? Use one detail from the drama to support your response. 6. What qualities does Proctor find within himself that prevent him from at last saving himself and signing the confession? Use details from the text to support your response. 7. Explain how Proctor is right or wrong for refusing to sign the confession. Use details to support your response. 8. A tragic hero’s fate, according to Aristotle, inspires pity and horror. Name the tragic hero in The Crucible, and describe how his or her fate inspires both pity and horror. 9. People accused of being Communists had a difficult time getting jobs; some even moved out of the United States in order to try to resume normal lives. How is Proctor’s situation like that of the people accused of Communist activities? 10. Based on the conversation involving Tituba, Sarah...

Words: 2431 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Reverend Hale's Crucible

...In Act Four of The Crucible, Reverend Hale must confront and overcome his crucible. The magnitude of this is witnessed in his character: “Reverend Hale enters. They look at him for an instant in silence. He is steeped in sorrow, exhausted, and more direct than he ever was.” (pp 128-129, Act 4) Hale’s crucible is whether or not to follow the public and continue forcing people to confess witchcraft or to make known the madness of these hunts, since he knows these witch hunts and trials are irrational. This exemplifies Hale’s personal and gradual movement to candor rather than the accusation of more innocent individuals. Furthermore, it shows Hale’s first steps from the break from conformity. In this essay, I will explain the changes that occur in his character as he struggles with his crucible. Also, I will analyze a crucible that I have faced. Hale grows almost exponentially throughout the duration of Act Four in The Crucible. On page 130, Hale is trying to convince Danforth to postpone the trials of the accused: “Excellency, if you postpone a week… that speak mercy on your part, not faltering.” After Danforth’s response, including a discussion of the trials doing God’s work in Salem, Hale speaks his mind again and announces that Danforth is mistaken in his judgment. At this point Hale begins to realize what he must do. He must attempt to delay, if not halt these trials, in order to prevent people from hanging needlessly. Hale shows outright maturation and grows a backbone, so...

Words: 900 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

The Crucible Argumentative Essay

...would probably enjoyed the play "The Crucible", in which, a man fights against a town, and the court, to save his wife from hanging. However, the reason the author Arthur Miller wrote the play was a little deeper than you might Imagen. In his essay "Why I wrote 'The Crucible", he explains his motivation for "The Crucible". In the essay he referenced "The Crucible" when he suggested he is having marital troubles, like John and Elisabeth Procter. He stated it was an act of desperation ,like John Procter's desperate attempts to free his wife. Finally, he said he found hope in John Procter redeeming himself, as seen in the end of the play. Initially, Miller wrote "The Crucible" because of his own marital problems, as seen in his "Why I Wrote the Crucible" essay. In the essay he states "My own marriage of twelve years was teetering and I knew more than I wished to know about where the blame lay."(Crucible Essay, 3). This connects to when John and Elisabeth Procter where fighting in their marriage; as seen in act 2 "I'll not have your suspicion any more" and "John, if it were not Abigail that you must go to hurt, would you falter now? I...

Words: 611 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Who Is At Fault In The Crucible

...The Crucible by Arthur Miller is a play written about the witch trials in Salem, Massachusetts. The story shows how people were accused of witchcraft through the corrupt society and killed for their supposed crimes. The time that Arthur Miller lived was filled with fear of communist infiltration into the government and accusations of people who were thought to be communists. Through his use of the Salem witch trials in The Crucible, Arthur Miller effectively illustrates the lives ruined from accusations during the Red Scare, showing the irrational way of dealing with paranoia and mob mentality leading to these accusations. The paranoia growing in people’s minds led to accusations during both the Red Scare and Salem witch trials. In the 1950s communism seemed like America’s greatest fear. The thought of communists infiltrating the American government was terrifying to Americans. With such fear of something comes paranoia of it. Because of this situation,...

Words: 802 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Abcd

...The Crucible Act Three Questions Short Response Answer the following questions based on your knowledge of the drama. Write a response on a separate sheet of paper. 1. Describe one piece of evidence that Giles, Francis, or Proctor bring before the court to show that the girls are lying. 2. What does Abigail do to distract Danforth from Hale’s accusations that she is lying? 3. How does Hale show that he believes that the court is not doing the right thing? Use three details from the text in your response. 4. Danforth explains that “. . . a person is either with this court or he must be counted against it, there be no road between.” What conclusion can you draw about Danforth’s character from this line? 5. How does Hale excuse Elizabeth’s lie about Abigail’s affair with Proctor? 6. Danforth explains that witchcraft is an invisible crime and that only the victims are reliable. How does his philosophy flame the hysteria? Use details from the drama to support your response. 7. How do Hale and Parris try to thwart each other, or act as foils, in regards to Danforth and the court? Use details from the drama to support your response. 8. Describe the point at which you think the plot reaches its highest intensity, or climax. 9. After the outbreak in court, Mr. Danforth makes the following short statement to Mr. Hale: I will have nothing from you, Mr. Hale! In your own words, describe what Mr. Hale has said or done to instigate Mr. Danforth’s...

Words: 3241 - Pages: 13

Premium Essay

The Role Of Fear In The Crucible

...Throughout history fear has invoked society into violence, division ,and also hatred. Fear does not discriminate, it can be shown in every nationality, race and gender. Fear takes form in many different ways. In The Crucible by Arthur Miller fear was in a form of assumption and accusation.During the 1800’s, The Ku Klux Klan was one of the biggest cults based of fear along with hysteria during the depression. In the 1990’s The Red Scare was parallel to The Crucible based on accusing citizen of communism. The most powerful motivator in society is fear, because it develops a change in society. The Crucible along with The Ku Klux Klan intersect with each other. In both incidents fear was used as an crucial instrument. This was the main reason...

Words: 415 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Reverend Hale Character Analysis Essay

...Characterization of Reverend John Hale Throughout The Crucible, Arthur Miller uses the characterization of an archetypal hero, Reverend John Hale, to reveal how when arrogant and nationalistic pride becomes involved even the most intelligent and moral man’s moral compass can be distorted. This universal truth and Hale’s archetypal characteristics were revealed by Miller to reprehend those who fell into McCarthyism and the flaws in the American society in the nineteen-fifties, which were impacts of their blinded morals. To comprehend the idea of this specific universal truth, one first must understand Hale’s characterization through Aristotle’s archetypal hero traits. The first criteria, Noble...

Words: 1688 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

The Importance Of Reputation In The Crucible

...A constant theme of “The Crucible” is the importance of reputation. Danforth, Proctor and Giles all have the motive to keep their reputation, even if it kills them. Judge Danforth makes a point how important his reputation is with his power in court. John Proctor refuses to confess his adultery and sentence innocent people under his name to death. Giles Corey ends up dying because he speaks up for his wife who is innocent. Every single one of these characters keeps their importance of reputation until their death or the end of “The Crucible”. Judge Danforth is the regular judge of the court in Salem. He accuses Giles wife of witchcraft and many others. If he doesn’t execute them, that will prove that he is wrong which will ruin his reputation. So he has to get rid of anyone else that may question his motives and why he does what he does. “Danforth: In that case, I have no choice but to arrest you for contempt of this court, do you know that? Giles: This is a hearing; you cannot clap me for contempt of a hearing. Danforth: Oh, it is a proper lawyer! Do you wish me to declare the court in full session here? Or will you give me good reply?”(Act...

Words: 622 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Examples Of Honesty In The Crucible

...The cauldron The Crucible a play written by Arthur Miller is a story about the the witch trials in Salem. The theme of Arthur Miller's The Crucible, is that dishonesty started and perpetuated the witch trials, while honesty brought about their end . The girls started the witch trials in Salem. Lies from the accused kept the trials going. The Honest brought about their end. The girls started the witch trials in Salem with their dishonesty and lies. It started when Abigail and Parris talking about, why they (the girls) were dancing in the woods. Then Proctor shows up and Abigail tells him the truth, Betty starts to scream and hale shows up Abigail tells him that Tituba’s a witch. “She sends her spirits on me in church; she makes me laugh at prayers”(Miller 46). In this quote...

Words: 665 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Who Is John Proctor's Reputation In The Crucible

...The Crucible to exhibit the theme of protectiveness of one’s reputation and self-image through his character John Proctor. In the play, John Proctors battle to be morally right and his affair with Abigail Williams essentially caused him a great deal of confusion. Proctor ultimately confessed, but was too enveloped in his pride so he refused to have his confession hung up on the church doors. His own refusal to let the reputation he built go to waste is what caused his death and destroyed his reputation. Early in the play, Elizabeth knew about Proctor’s affair with Abigail. Elizabeth’s cold and distant attitude towards Proctor after his affair caused him an even greater struggle. As Proctor pleads for forgiveness in Act 4, Elizabeth says, “John, it come to naught that I should forgive you, if you'll not forgive yourself.” Proctor was so wrapped up in his wife’s view of him that he was not focusing on how he viewed himself. He could not fathom the looks his wife and he would receive if he confessed of his affair. How was he to expect others to forgive him for his wrong doings if he could not forgive himself?...

Words: 494 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Good And Evil In The Crucible

...The endless battle of good and evil is seen everyday, not just with God and Satan or with feuding countries, but with man. In The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, the town of Salem, Massachusetts is facing the dilemma of good vs. evil. Repeatedly, because of the mass hysteria, people of Salem are falsely accused of witchcraft. Unfortunately, with the feud between good and evil, it may seem that evil is winning as one innocent person after the next is persecuted, but we also see the power of the martyrdom. Although “Do that which is good, and no harm shall come to thee” seems to be a logical statement it is incorrect, since bad things do happen to good people, because in the Salem Witch Trials, guilty people are rewarded and innocent people are punished....

Words: 698 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Experiment to Find the Amount of Water in a Hydrated Compound

...hydrated compound | Calculating Reacting Quantities and Formulae | | Contents Aim 2 Introduction 2 Hypothesis 3 Apparatus 3 Method 3 Results 4 Calculation 4 Conclusion 5 Evaluation 5 Bibliography 6 Aim The aim of this experiment is to find the number of molecules of water of crystallisation combined with one molecule of magnesium sulphate and to ultimately find the formula of the hydrated salt. Introduction Within crystals of certain salts, there are a fixed number of water molecules, combined chemically in a fixed proportion. When a salt crystallises from a solution, it forms hydrated salts which contain water molecules that are loosely bonded together. The name for this is the water of crystallisation or water of hydration. Magnesium sulphate contains seven molecules of water (H2O) for each formula unit of MgSO4 and can be written like this: - MgSO4.7H2O The dot shows the weak salt/chemical bond in the formula. To determine the formula of a hydrated salt, it must be heated so that the water of crystallisation evaporates. When magnesium sulphate has been heated, the water is removed to form an anhydrous salt. This can be reversed by adding water to the anhydrous salt to make it hydrated which will cause the water to reattach itself to the salt. Other substances that act similarly to hydrates, but have distinct individual characteristics are:- * Hygroscopic – substances that are able to absorb moisture or water molecules from...

Words: 1051 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Crucible Essay

...Dylan Gates Mr. Woody 4 November 2012 Accelerated English 2 Crucible Essay Straying from Puritanism The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, was produced in 1953. To this day, the play remains very popular. In this play, Miller talks about a witch-hunt that took place in 1962 which compares to the “Red Scare” that went on in Washington, D.C. in the 1950s. Miller writes about a Puritan village with a Christian religion that seems to be forgotten when under pressure. Puritans are taught to stick to their Christian beliefs, and in The Crucible, they simply stray away from the beliefs and violate them to save their own life. One instance where they go away from their puritan beliefs is that the people of Salem drift away from each other and turn on each other. One very strong belief of Puritanism is that unity among them strengthened their community. In a Puritan community, they take care of each other’s needs and look out for their neighbors. In The Crucible, they certainly do not take care of one another. In fact, it is the complete opposite. Almost everyone in the play becomes very egocentric. This is all the effect of the accusations of witchcraft in Salem. Another instance where they stray from their Puritan religion is that they break many of the Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments are the ten basic rules that shall not be broken by any means by a firm Christian believer. One of the ten commandments they break during the play is killing. The bible clearly states in...

Words: 1487 - Pages: 6