The Crucible - Act IV

Act IV begins in jail with Herrick, Sarah Good, and Tituba. Tituba seems to mock her fate, talking about going back to Barbados with the Devil. Sarah Good joins in yelling that they want the Devil to take them home. Then, the judges enter to discuss Reverend Hale's return and the disorder caused by the locked-up farmers. Parris comes to reveal that Abigail and Mercy Lewis have run away with all his money. Hale argues for the innocent of the convicted. Danforth continues to refuse and declares that he will "hang ten thousand that dared to rise against the law, and an ocean of salt tears could not melt the resolution of the statues" (120). Elizabeth and Proctor get to see each other one on one. Giles Corey is reported dead. He was pressed with stones for refusing to admit to being a wizard. Elizabeth then blames herself for what has happened to Proctor and what will happen to him. Proctor then admits to seeing the devil but refuses to name others.

Proctor stands strong for so long - refusing to give into the insanity. Unfortunately, however, he signs. He signs the document. He signs the devil's book. Proctor decided to confess but was reluctant to sign because he didn’t want his children to see it. He signed away his soul but not his name. His name was his last possession.

Guilt washes over Salem. Parris has a sense of guilt - he wants the chaos to end. The town realized that it is fake – they begin to riot. The girls run away from their guilt – Abigail and Mercy Lewis literally run away from Salem.

Danforth might also have a sense of guilt. He said that he cannot postpone Proctor’s hanging because so many others have died. He said, “Postponement now speaks a floundering on my part; reprieve or pardon must cast doubt upon the guilt of them that died till now” (119).