The Crucible: Act IV Quote Analysis
1. Judge Herrick: He [Hale] goes among them that will hang, sir. And he prays with them. He sits with Goody Nurse
now. And Mr. Parris with him. (114)
a. What does it say about Hale that he visits those he helped to condemn?
2. Judge Danforth: Parris prays with him [Hale]. That’s strange. (115)
a. Why is it strange that Reverend Parris would pray with Reverend Hale?
3. Cheever: There be so many cows wanderin’ the highroads, now their masters are in jail, and much disagreement
who they will belong to now. I know Mr. Parris be arguin’ with farmers all yesterday – there is contention, sir,
about the cows. Contention make him weep, sir; it were always a man that weep for contention. (115)
a. What does the disorder of the town --- and the weeping of Parris --- say about the effect of oppression on
the town?
4. Parris: It is a providence. Reverend Hale has returned to bring Rebecca Nurse to God. (116)
a. Why would Parris be so happy to Goody Nurse is now likely to confess?
5. Parris: My niece, sir, my niece – I believe she has vanished… and tonight I discover my strongbox is broke into.
He presses his fingers against his eyes to keep back tears… Thirty-one pound is gone. I am penniless. He covers
his face and sobs. (116-117)
a. What does this reveal about Abigail’s state of mind? Her grip on her oppressive acts? Why does the court
not stop?
b. What doe Parris’s tears reveal about his character?
6. Parris: Andover have thrown out the court, they say, and will have no part of witchcraft. There be a faction here,
feeding on that news, and I tell you true, sire, I fear there will be riot here… Let Rebecca stand upon the gibbet
and send up some righteous prayer, and I fear she’ll wake a vengeance on you. (117-118)
a. What does it say about the new feelings toward witchcraft? How will this effect Salem?
b. What does this reveal about Parris’s knowledge of the authenticity of his own behavior?
7. Parris: It cannot be forgot, sir, that when I summoned the congregation for John Proctor’s excommunication there
were hardly thirty people come to hear it. (118)
a. What does this reveal about Parris’s reputation in town? Of Proctor’s?
8. 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. (119)
a. What does this reveal about Hale’s character?
9. Hale: You must pardon them. They will not budge… Danforth: You misunderstand, sir; I cannot pardon these
when twelve are already hanged for the same crime. It is not just. (119)
a. Where is the irony in this statement? What does it reveal about the nature of oppression?
10. Hale: Excellency, there are orphans wandering from house to house; abandoned cattle bellow on the highroads,
the stink of rotting crops hangs everywhere, and no man knows when the harlots’ cry will end his life – and you
wonder yet if rebellion’s spoke? (121)
a. What does Hale reveal about the nature of oppression?
11. Hale: I come to counsel Christians they should belie themselves. His sarcasm collapses. There is blood on my
head! Can you not see the blood on my head!!!
a. How has Hale change from when he first entered Salem?
12. Hale: You know, do you not, that I have no connection with the court? I come of my own, Goody Proctor. I
would save your husband’s life, for if he is taken I count myself as his murderer. Do you understand me?...I have
sought a Christian way, for damnation’s doubled on a minister who counsels men to lie. (122)
a. Why is Hale so adamant not to be seen as part of the court? Why does he call himself a potential
“murderer”? Discuss his involvement in salvation.
13. Hale: Let you know mistake your duty as I mistook my own. I come into this village like a bridegroom to his
beloved, bearing gifts of high religion…Beware, Goody Proctor – cleave to no faith when faith brings blood. It is
mistaken law that leads you to sacrifice. Life, woman, life is God’s most precious gift; no principle, however
glorious, my justify the taking of it…for it may well be God damns a liar less than he that throws his life away for
pride. (122)
a. What is Hale revealing about the nature of Puritan theocracy? Way of life? What is he asking Elizabeth to
do – and how do you expect Elizabeth to feel about this?
14. Danforth: Be there no wifely tenderness within you? He will die with the sunrise. Your husband. Do you
understand it? She only looks at him. What say you?.. She is slient…I tell you true woman, had I no other proof
of your unnatural life, your dry eyes now would be sufficient evidence that you delivered up your soul to Hell!
(122-123)
a. What does this exchange reveal about Elizabeth’s Puritan nature? Has that changed?
15. Herrick enters with John Proctor. His wrists are chained. He is another man, bearded, filthy, his eyes misty as
though webs had overgrown him. He halts inside the doorway, his eye caught by the sight of Elizabeth. The
emotion flowing between them prevents anyone from speaking for an instant…Alone. Proctor walks to her, halts.
It is as though they stood in a spinning world. It is beyond sorrow, above it. He reaches out his hand as though
toward an embodiment not quite real, and as he touches her, a strange soft sound, half laughter, half amazement,
comes from his throat. He pats her hand. She covers his hand with hers. (123-124)
a. How has Proctor changed? What does their first meeting after so many months suggest about the nature
of their love? Is it Puritan?
16. Elizabeth: I have not. She catches a weakening in herself and downs it. Proctor: You are a – marvel, Elizabeth.
Elizabeth: You have been tortured? Proctor: Aye. She will not let herself be drowned in the sea that threatens her.
(124)
a. Explain how Elizabeth is the quintessential Puritan woman.
17. Proctor, with great force of will, but not quite looking at her: I have been thinking I would confess to them.
Elizabeth. She shows nothing. What say you? If I give them that? Elizabeth: I cannot judge you, John. (125)
a. Explain why Proctor would seek her approval, but be unable to look at her; explain Elizabeth’s reaction to
him – is her behavior consistent?
18. Proctor: I cannot mount the gibbet like a saint. It is a fraud. I am not that man. She is silent. My honesty is broke,
Elizabeth; I am no good man. Nothing’s spoiled by giving them this life that were not rotten long before. (126)
a. How does Proctor attempt to justify a lie? What does it say about the power of oppression?
19. Elizabeth, upon a heaving sob that always threatens: John, it come to naught that I should forgive you, if you’ll
not forgive yourself. It is not my soul, John, it is yours. He stands , as though in physical pain, slowly rising to his
feet with a great immortal longing to find his answer…I have read my heart this three month, John. I have sins of
my own to count. It needs a cold wife to prompt lechery. (126)
a. What does this speech reveal about Elizabeth’s character?
20. Proctor: God in heaven, what is John Proctor, what is John Proctor? (127)
a. Why does he ask this question? (notice “what” and not “who”)
21. [during his “confession” Rebecca Nurse is brought in] Proctor turns his face to the wall. Danforth: Courage, man,
courage – let her witness your good example that she may come to God herself. (129)
a. How is the oppressive Danforth using Goody Nurse?
22. Danforth, realizing, slowly putting the sheet down: Did you ever see anyone with the devil? Proctor: I did not. … I
speak my own sins; I cannot judge another. (130-131)
a. Why does Proctor not include others in his confession? What does this reveal about him?
23. Hale, quickly to Danforth: Excellency, it is enough he confess himself. Let him sign it, let him sign it. (131)
a. Why does Hale press Danforth to accept Proctor’s “confession”?
24. His breath heaving with agonized breathing, Proctor now lays the paper down and signs his name.
a. Why did Proctor only want to orally confess?
25. Proctor has just finished signing when Danforth reaches for the paper. But Proctor snatches it up, and now a wild
terror is rising in him, and a boundless anger.
Proctor: No, no. I have signed it. You have seen me. It is done! You have no need for this.
Parris: Proctor, the village must have proof that --Proctor: I have confessed myself! Is there no good penitence but it be public?...God sees my name; God knows
how black my sins are! It is enough!
(131-132)
a. Why does Proctor resent having his signature on the paper? What does it reveal?
b. What does it say about Parris that he feels the entire town needs “proof”?
c. how does this reflect on the Puritan view of God and repentance?
26. Proctor: It is not part of salvation that you should use me!... I have three children – how may I teach them to walk
like men in the world, and I sold my friends?
a. To what does Proctor connect his name?
27. Proctor, with a cry of his whole soul: Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I
lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang! How may I live without
my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name! (133)
a. Explain how this line signifies Proctor as a tragic hero:
i. Definition:
ii. Hamartia:
iii. Peripeteia:
28. His breast heaving, his eyes staring, Proctor tears the paper and crumples it, and he is weeping in fury, but erect.
(133)
a. How does this stage action reveal his change in character?
29. Proctor: You have made your magic now, for now I do think I see some shred of goodness in John
Proctor…Elizabeth, in a burst of terror, rushes to him and weeps against his hand. Give them no tear! Tears
pleasure them! Show honor now, show a stony heart and sink them with it! He has lifted her, and kisses her now
with great passion. (133)
a. What does this mean?
30. Parris, in deadly fear, to Elizabeth: Go to him, Good Proctor! There is yet time! (134)
a. What does this final line from Parris reveal about his character?
31. Hale: Woman, plead with him! Woman! It is pride, it is vanity. He his helper! What profit him to bleed? Shall the
dust praise him? Shall the worms declare his truth? Go to him, take his shame away! (134)
a. What does this final line from Hale reveal about his character?
32. Elizabeth: He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him!...the new sun is pouring in upon her face,
and the drums rattle like bones in the morning air. (134)
a. What does this final line from Elizabeth reveal about her character? About Proctor’s character?
Echoes Down the Corridor (epilogue)
Not long after the fever died, Parris was voted from office, walked out on the highroad, and was never heard from again.
The legend has it that Abigail turned up later as a prostitute in Boston.
Certain famrs which had belonged to the victims were left to ruin, and for more than a century no one would buy them for
live on them.