The Crucible Act IV

Irony Verbal Situational Definition: When someone states one thing but means another Definition: Contrast between what is expected to happen and what actually happens Situation: Tituba and Sarah Good are waiting for the Devil to come and take them to Barbados.

Irony Verbal Situational They are pretending to be witches now because Herrick is there. Tituba and Sarah Good might actually believe they are witches and are really waiting for the Devil to come and save them.

Mood The description of the town now adds to the mood the author is trying to develop. (p. 231) The image of cows wondering the roads implies a chaotic mood Out of control Fighting with each other

Irony What is ironic about Parris delivering the message to the court about Hale meeting with the accused? (p. 231) Parris and Hale originally disagreed about the girls’ accusations, but now they seem to be on the same side. Parris is asking the court to reconsider the executions.

Irony What is ironic about Abigail robbing Parris and leaving Salem? (p. 231) She was the original accuser and her purpose was to get John Proctor. Now many people are being accused and John Proctor is sentenced to death. The entire situation started because of her, now she is gone. Abigail and Mercy’s disappearance and theft now make them seem suspicious.

Irony What is ironic about Danforth refusing to pardon the seven remaining people or to even postpone their hangings? (p. 232) Danforth says it would be unjust to pardon these people when 12 have already been hanged. The irony is that his idea of justice extends more to those who are already dead than to the people who are still alive.

Conflict Internal External Person v. himself or herself Struggles with a decision Example: John Proctor Hale Elizabeth Proctor Person v. person Example Parris (and others in the town) v. Danforth John Proctor and Rebecca Nurse are scheduled to hang. Even Parris is beginning to oppose them.

Irony What is ironic about what Hale is doing? (p. 234) Hale is a Christian minister He’s asking people to lie (sin) to save their lives He helped set up the witch-hunt, now he is doing everything he can to stop it.

Mood The stage directions on page 235 help establish the mood for the coming dialogue. What’s the mood? Horror The sight of John Proctor so changed by his time in prison is horrifying and painful to Elizabeth Love The feelings of love and concern are described Creates a bittersweet scene

Update on other prisoners Rebecca Nurse At peace with her decision not to confess Ready to go to her death Giles Corey Pressed to death Refused to confess Said only, “More weight.”

John Proctor Internal Conflict External conflict Proctor struggles with his own definition of himself and tries to decide whether or not he should confess. Proctor fights against the authorities and refuses to besmirch others with his confession.

Conflict Why won’t John Proctor confess and give the names of people who are already scheduled to die? He won’t do it because he respects them and honors their right to die with their reputations intact. What does this tell you about John Proctor’s character? He has become a principled, honest man. He knows now that some things are more important even than life: Honesty Personal integrity

Conflict/Resolution John Proctor originally decided to confess before he knew he would have to implicate others in order to save his own life. Resolution: Inner conflict Decides he can die for truth External conflict Authorities get to show their power by executing him But they don’t get a confession from John Proctor Now the community is ready to revolt because innocent people are being executed.