The Crucible Act 4 Study Guide

What is Reverend Hale advising the condemned to do?

He wants them to lie and 'confess' their accusations to save their lives

What does Reverend Parris reveal about his niece Abigail?

She has fled the town and has taken all his money with her

How do the proposed hangings of Rebecca Nurse and John Proctor differ from the past executions?

Both of them refuse to claim their name to a false accusation

What does Reverend Parris want Danforth to do?

He wants Danforth to postpone the hanging

What does Reverend Hale want Danforth to do?

To pardon or forgive them for their sins

Why does Danforth refuse to postpone the hangings?

He had already hung 12 others for the same crime and did not want to give any leeway

What do Hale and Danforth request of Elizabeth Proctor?

They want her to make John Proctor confess

What does Hale mean when he warns, "Cleave to no faith...leads you to sacrifice."

He wants them to confess for their own good, so they don't end up in a bad place later on

What happened to Giles Corey?

He is pressed under a pile of rocks

What is John's excuse for confessing?

He admitted that he was going to Hell anyways, so there was no need to try and save him

What is Elizabeth's proof that John is a good man?

That he didn't confess until the last moment he was alive, he kept his name proud and honored

How has Elizabeth changed since we first met her?

She realizes that she is also at fault and is just as guilty as John, and cannot be the judge of whether he lives or dies

After John confesses, what does Danforth want him to do? Why will he not do it?

He wants him to sign a paper confessing to his sins, but John will not because he wants to be respected

What does Hale attribute to Proctor's willingness to hang to?

His pride

What does it mean now that John has recanted his confession? For the court? For the town? For him, as a man?

Salem was forever changed by the accusations of these girls, witchcraft would forever be a part of society and lies and sabotage would change the shape of the way of life forever