Act 4 The Crucible

He thinks it is caused by the cows. In other words, the cows are left wandering since their masters are in jail, and there is much contention in the town about ownership and the whole political scene.

Abigail stole money from Parris and disappeared, reportedly left on a ship.

Because Proctor, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Martha and others were upstanding citizens, generally respected in the community (as opposed to Sarah Good who was a beggar woman), people were truly doubtful of their connections with the devil. Since Parris was so involved with the prosecution of these individuals, he was beginning to get threats on his life.

If he had pardoned the remaining accused, the people who had been hanged would have died in vain, unjustly. Rather than admit that the court could have been wrong and therefore admit the others may have been hanged unjustly, he thought it better to continue hanging people so all accused would get the same treatment from the court. His logic was peculiar to say the least.

Hale has come back to Salem to encourage the accused to confess and save their lives (whether they are guilty or not).

Hale wants Elizabeth to convince Proctor to confess.

He was pressed to death during the questioning.

At this point, he has decided to confess even though he is not guilty. He is telling a lie to save his own life. That in itself takes away his goodness, his honesty. Besides the fact that lying is a sin, he has broken the code of a man's life. Even non-religious people recognize the importance of honesty to one's character. He has broken this code; he is a sinner, he is a failure as a man.

She tells him that after much thought, she feels she is also responsible for his affair with Abigail. She thinks if she had been a better, warmer wife, he would not have been inclined to place his affections elsewhere.

he tells him that after much thought, she feels she is also responsible for his affair with Abigail. She thinks if she had been a better, warmer wife, he would not have been inclined to place his affections elsewhere.

By confessing, Proctor has ruined himself, given up his goodness. His hopes for eternal salvation have been destroyed. Since he shall remain alive on the earth for some time to come, he at least wants to have his good name so his life here will still be good. If he has to suffer eternally, the least they can do is to let his remaining years on earth be bearable.

Since Proctor refused to make his confession public, the authorities have decided it will not be accepted. He will hang as if he had not confessed. Proctor regains his goodness by accepting his death by hanging rather than becoming an accomplice to the misguided authorities and by holding to the truth that he was not in partnership with the devil. If she were to convince Proctor to give a public confession (and thereby save his life), Elizabeth would put him back in the situation where his goodness would be lost. Then, the loss of his soul would be at least partly her fault. Besides not wanting that responsibility, she recognized the importance of Proctor's eternal well-being and wished that for him over her own desires.

he found a dagger at his door

demonstrate his ability to do witchcraft

a *****

Mary Warren

jealously

she is hanged

he is pressed

he is hanged

she is acquitted

she confesses

she runs away

because their owners are in jail

the judge

the deputy govenor

he is a scholar

Putnam

The Putnams

The Proctors

for reading books

to save herself

Putnam is telling Mercy who to accuse

Citizens attesting to Elizabeth and Martha's good character

Because Proctor threatened her

perform voodoo

That they must use scientific methods to identify it

Mary Warren

Stabbing her in the stomach with a needle

adultery

more weight

his goodness