The Crucible Act IV – Study Guide Questions



The Crucible Act IV – Study Guide Questions

Answer the following questions in complete sentences on a Titled Google Document that begins with your name. Make sure that you refer to the text to support your answers. It is essential that you look up the answers to the following questions. Then upload your completed Google Document to by the required date.

1. Based on the conversation involving Tituba, Sarah Good, and Herrick at the beginning of Act IV of The Crucible, what obsession of the day is weighing heavily on these characters?

2. In Act IV, Cheever comments on the “many cows wanderin’ the highroads, now their masters are in jail and much disagreement who they will belong to now.” What does the report of wandering cows symbolize about the effects of the witch trials on the society of Salem?

3. In Act IV, Parris complains to Danforth about the disappearance of Abigail and her apparent theft of his savings, as well as about the signs of growing discontent in the community over the wave of executions. Why does Danforth respond to him with contempt?

4. In Act IV, what does Danforth’s determination to proceed immediately with the executions symbolize about the nature of the legal system? Explain your answer.

5. In Act IV, there are reports that the people of Andover have refused to cooperate with the witchcraft court there. What can the reader infer about the citizens of Andover from these reports?

6. In Act IV, it is evident that Elizabeth Proctor has changed during her imprisonment. How has she changed? Explain your answer, citing details from the text to support your answer.

7. In The Crucible, the line between religious and governmental authority is easily blurred and sometimes non-existent. How is the relationship between church and state different in the present-day United States from the way it was at the time of The Crucible?

8. In Act IV, John Proctor anguishes over having his signed confession made public. In what respect is Proctor’s determination to preserve his good name, and his resulting tragic downfall, an echo of the McCarthy Era of the 1950s?

9. One definition of the word crucible is “a severe test.” Use the chart below to identify the key way in which each of the listed characters is tested by the events of The Crucible. Then in the right-hand column, indicate whether that character passed or failed the “test.”

|Character |Test |Passed or Failed? |

|Reverend Parris | | |

|Reverend Hale | | |

|Judge Danforth | | |

|Elizabeth Proctor | | |

|John Proctor | | |

10. If, after an argument with a friend, you wrote him a conciliatory note, would you be attempting to resolve the conflict? Why or why not? Base your answer on the meaning of conciliatory as it is used in Act IV of The Crucible.

11. At the beginning of Act IV, it is discovered that Abigail has stolen money and run away wit one of the other girls. Based on what you know of her from the play, why do you think she ran away?

12. In Act IV, John Proctor reluctantly expresses a willingness to admit to wrongdoing to save himself and his wife, but he will not accuse others. Explain why you think he takes this position and state whether you agree with him. Support your answer with details from the play.

13. In Act IV, Reverend Hale pleads with Elizabeth Proctor to persuade John to confess and save his life. He argues that life is more precious than standing on a principle. Elizabeth answers, “I think that be the Devil’s argument.” What do you think she means by that comment? Use details from the play to support your answer.

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