Summary Act 4 The Crucible Complete Answered quiz
(2023)
What explanation does Cheever give for Parris' "mad look"?
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.
What was the last inappropriate thing Abigail did in the play?
Abigail stole money from Parris and disappeared; she reportedly left on a ship.
Parris says, "You cannot hang this sort. There is danger for me." What "sort" does he mean,
and what is the danger to him?
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.
Explain Danforth's reason that a pardon would not be just.
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.
Why has Hale come back to Salem?
Hale has come back to Salem to encourage the accused to confess and save their lives (whether
they are guilty or not).
, What does Hale want Elizabeth to do?
Hale wants Elizabeth to convince Proctor to confess.
What happened to Giles?
He was pressed to death during the questioning.
Proctor says, "My honesty is broke, Elizabeth, I am no good man." Explain this statement.
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.
What "confession" did Elizabeth make to John?
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.
What did Proctor do after he signed the confession? Why?
He tears up the confession; he doesn't want it to be posted on the church door for his sons and
others to see. He thinks the fact that he signed it should be enough.
"I have given you my soul; leave me my name!" Explain.
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.
"He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him!" What does Elizabeth mean?
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
(2023)
What explanation does Cheever give for Parris' "mad look"?
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.
What was the last inappropriate thing Abigail did in the play?
Abigail stole money from Parris and disappeared; she reportedly left on a ship.
Parris says, "You cannot hang this sort. There is danger for me." What "sort" does he mean,
and what is the danger to him?
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.
Explain Danforth's reason that a pardon would not be just.
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.
Why has Hale come back to Salem?
Hale has come back to Salem to encourage the accused to confess and save their lives (whether
they are guilty or not).
, What does Hale want Elizabeth to do?
Hale wants Elizabeth to convince Proctor to confess.
What happened to Giles?
He was pressed to death during the questioning.
Proctor says, "My honesty is broke, Elizabeth, I am no good man." Explain this statement.
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.
What "confession" did Elizabeth make to John?
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.
What did Proctor do after he signed the confession? Why?
He tears up the confession; he doesn't want it to be posted on the church door for his sons and
others to see. He thinks the fact that he signed it should be enough.
"I have given you my soul; leave me my name!" Explain.
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.
"He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him!" What does Elizabeth mean?
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
