Act 4 Crucible

Agape

(of the mouth) wide open, especially with surprise or wonder

What happened to Giles Corey?

Elizabeth tells John that Giles would not answer yes or no to being a witch, so they crushed him to death with heavy stones (Miller 135).

What does Reverend Hale mean when he says,"there is blood on my head!"?

Hale says this on page 131, and he means that he feels guilty for the people he sentenced to hang when he was a part of the court. He feels guilty because he now realizes Abigail is a liar and there are no witches in Salem (Miller 131).

Presently

Happening right now

Explain the meaning of the quote: "I am John Proctor! You will not use me!"

He finally sees himself as a good man with a good name. He does not want his good name to be used to support the witch craft lie.

Why has Reverend Hale returned to Salem? He has returned to speak with and pray for those who are in sentenced to hang for witchcraft (Miller 123).

He has returned to speak with and pray for those who are in sentenced to hang for witchcraft (Miller 123).

What is Reverend Hale advising the condemned to do?

He is advising them to confess to witchcraft and return to God, even though he doesn't believe they committed witchcraft. He is simply trying to save them from being hanged (Miller 125).

What does Reverend Parris reveal about his niece Abigail?

He reveals that she has vanished. She stole money from him and is believed to have gotten on a ship for England with Mercy Lewis (Miler 126).

Why does Danforth refuse to postpone the hangings?

He says that 12 people have already been hanged for witchcraft, so it will make him (Danforth) look bad if he pardons anyone now. AKA—Danforth does not want to admit he was wrong (Miller 129).

What does Reverend Parris want Danforth to do?

He wants him to postpone the hangings of John Proctor and Rebecca Nurse (Miller 127).

After John confesses, what does Danforth want him to do?

He wants him to sign his name to the confession, so that it can be hung up for everyone in town to see. Danforth wants to use John Proctor's name to prove that the witch craft is real and that Danforth/the court did not hang innocent people. (Miller 141-142).

What is John' final decision? Why does he do this? Why does Elizabeth not run to stop him?

John signs the confession, but when he finds out that it will be hung up, he tears up the paper, which means he tears up his confession. Because he has not confesses, he will be hung. He does this because he does not want Danforth and the court to use him as proof that the witch craft was real. Elizabeth does not stop him because she is happy he finally forgave himself for his one sin (adultery). She says, "He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him!".

What is the internal conflict John Proctor faces with confessing? How does John see himself?

John's internal conflict is that he believes himself to be a bad person because of the affair with Abigail. He does not think he can refuse to confess and die as Giles did because he (John) is not a good man like Giles was. He says, "I am no good man. Nothing's spoiled by giving them this lie that were not rotten long before" (Miller 136). John sees himself as a sinner.

Why would there be a riot in Salem if John Proctor and Rebecca Nurse are hanged?

People in the town respect John Proctor and Rebecca Nurse. The townspeople do not really believe they are witches, so they may riot against the court if they are hanged (Miller 127)

What is the condition of Salem at this point?

Salem is in bad condition because so many people are in jail. Cows roam free and people are fighting over who they belong to (Miller 125). Many of the town's people are no longer in favor of all the hangings. There may be a riot (Miler 127). There are orphans wondering from house to house, crops are rotting, and everyone is afraid of being accused of being a witch (Miller 130).

How has Elizabeth changed since we first met her?

She admits that she was partly to blame for the affair because she was such a cold wife. She forgives John and shows that she still loves him (Miller 137).

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

She says he is a good man because he has help off confessing (lying) for this long already (Miller 136).

What do Hale and Danforth request of Elizabeth Proctor?

They ask Elizabeth to speak with John and get him to confess to witchcraft. They want him to do this so they will not have to hang him (he will just stay in jail). Danforth believes that this will stop the town from rioting and still make him look good, as he will not have to pardon anyone. (Miller 132).

Dispute

a disagreement, argument, or debate

Stench

a strong and very unpleasant smell

Retaliate

make an attack or assault in return for a similar attack

Adamant .

refusing to be persuaded or to change one's mind.

Flounder

struggle mentally; show or feel great confusion.

Tantalize

to excite the senses or desires of someone