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The Crucible Act 4 Notes- Answers
Directions: Answer each question using
complete sentences.
Literary term
TRAGEDY- a play in which the main
character suffers a downfall. This
character is called the tragic hero and is
typically a person who posses admirable
qualities. The downfall can be something
external or internal.
1. Read the stage directions at the beginning
of the Act. Why is Herrick nearly drunk? He
maybe drinking because he feels guilty
about his role in the trials or because he
cannot bear the injustice that is
happening.
2. What do the lines “Oh, it is you Marshal! I
thought sure you be the devil comin’ for us.”
Imply? Even though he is an agent of the
court, he abuses alcohol and mistreats the
prisoners. His behavior is immoral and is
compared to the devil.
4. What do Hale’s actions tell us about the
topic of forgiveness? He has rejected the
rigid expectations of the law and is trying
to work indirectly to save people’s lives.
His actions show that it is possible to
forgive those who have technically broken
the law.
5. What is it about Reverend Parris’s actions
and character that make him an unlikely
tragic hero? Although Parris might be
considered a character of exalted status,
one of the characteristics of a tragic hero,
he does not possess the other key
characteristic- admirable qualities that
are marred by one tragic flaw. He is in fact
selfish and cowardly.
6. If possible topic in the lines “Reverend
Hale has returned to bring Rebecca Nurse to
God.” is salvation, what do you think could be
a theme? A possible theme is that salvation
is open to those who were previously
condemned.
7. How do the lines by Parris (last set in the
first column) mark a change in the play’s
focus on the crime of witch craft to other
crimes or claims of innocence? This is the
first time that the accused people’s crimes
have included anything other than
witchcraft. Parris’s insistence that the
courts have gone too far in arresting
Rebecca Nurse shows that the letter of the
law has overtaken the spirit of the law.
8. What character flaw does Danforth exhibit
on pg. 1102? He exhibits inflexibility as
well as a fear of losing face. He is saying
that more people must die to justify the
executions that have already taken place.
He cannot pardon because he cannot
admit self-doubt or show weakness.
9. How does Hale justify his advising
Elizabeth to persuade Proctor to lie? What
character flaw does he warn her against?
Hale says that dying for the sake of pride
may be a greater sin than lying to save
one’s life. Hale, aware of his pride, advises
Elizabeth according to his experience.
10. How does the description of Proctor in
the stage directions on pg. 1104, develop the
theme of insane situations causing healthy
people to go insane themselves? His
physical appearance and attitude have
changed as a direct result of his
imprisonment. He seems to have taken on
the super natural characteristics of
someone who has seen the devil.
11. John and Elizabeth Proctor are ragged
and dirty prisoners. How does the author
manage to elevate them to heroic stature?
The stage directions and dialogue suggest
that with nothing left to lose and their
love renewed, they act heroically, soaring
above the moral chaos of the Salem trials.
12. If Proctor’s question highlights the topic
of family or marriage, what might a possible
theme be? (p. 1106) A possible theme is
that through marriage two people can
find morality, stability and reassurance.
13. For what flaw does Elizabeth urge
Proctor to forgive himself? (p. 1106)
Elizabeth urges John to forgive himself for
having committed adultery and his
character flaw of infidelity. She is urging
him to forgive himself for moral
weakness.
14. What flaw does Elizabeth see in herself?
(p. 1106) Elizabeth feels that her coldness
and inability to express her love
contributed to John’s infidelity.
15. What is the cause of the “fury…..riding’ in
Proctor? What might this strong feeling
foreshadow? (p. 1108) Proctor is
unsuccessfully trying to convince himself
that his decision is right, but conflict is
growing in the form of fury. This fury
foreshadows that he will not be able to
follow through on this lie- that he will not
be able to make a false confession.
16. How do Proctor and Danforth’s lines on p.
1108 support the idea that public confession
is necessary for the health of the community?
Danforth insists that Proctor confess
publicly in order to show the rest of the
community that the court has supreme
authority. The court’s power is justified in
the name of the stability of the town.
17. How does Proctor help explain the theme
that each person is responsible for his or her
own morality? (p. 1110) When Danforth
says that Proctor’s soul is the issue, he
means that Proctor needs to save his soul
by confessing to witchcraft. The audience,
however, realizes that Proctor’s soul is
the issue, but because he has to do the
opposite of what Danforth wants and find
the courage not to make a false
confession.
18. Why doesn’t Elizabeth save her husband,
as Parris and Hale urge? Portraying Proctor
this way adds a human dimension to his
courage. He is afraid and sad, but he acts
in spite of this. He knows that he is
condemning himself to death, but he has
decided not to compromise his principles.
19. What did you think of the play? What did
you like or dislike? Explain your answer. YOU
TELL ME….