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Act IV: Quotes & notes. Miller’s The Crucible. Act IV Page 1265. Parris prayerfully holding up his hands: Excellency, hear me. It is a providence. Reverend Hale has returned to bring Rebecca Nurse to God.
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Act IV:Quotes & notes Miller’s The Crucible
Act IV Page 1265 • Parris prayerfully holding up his hands: Excellency, hear me. It is a providence. Reverend Hale has returned to bring Rebecca Nurse to God. • What outcome to the conflict does Parris hope for at this point in the play? Why might this be the case?
Act IV Page 1265 • Parris: There is news, sir, that the court—the court must reckon with. My niece, sir, my niece—I believe she has vanished. • Why might Abigail and Mercy have run away at this point in the play?
Act IV Page 1266 • Parris: I am sure of it, sir. But the rumor here speaks rebellion in Andover, and it-- • How does the discussion of the rebellion in Andover highlight a significant difference in Parris & Danforth?
Act IV Page 1267 • Hale: There is blood on my head! Can you not see the blood on my head? • What motivates Reverend Hale? • Consider how his character’s focus has changed over the course of the play.
Act IV Page 1268 • Hale:…Life, woman, life is God’s most precious gift; no principle, however glorious, may justify the taking of it… • What argument is Hale making with this speech? • What is he trying to persuade Elizabeth to do?
Act IV Page 1269 • Proctor: I cannot mount the gibbet like a saint. It is a fraud. I am not that man. • How has the relationship between Proctor and Elizabeth changed over the course of the play?
TRAGIC HERO • A well-born hero with a tragic flaw that brings about his or her downfall • The downfall leads to a new moral awareness, which moves the audience to pity the tragic hero character. • Arthur Miller has argued that an ordinary person can be a tragic hero. Who is the TRAGIC HERO of The Crucible?
JOHN PROCTOR • John Proctor is a common man rather than a traditional ruler. • He does not want to be heroic—he is willing to admit to a lie to save his life. • But he will only go so far… • He will not sign his name to a lie that betreays Rebecca and his community • He goes to his death with new self-respect and awareness of the truth, and he is thus a tragic hero
Act IV Page 1273 • Elizabeth: He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him! • What are your feelings / reactions concerning the play’s conclusion and Proctor’s decision? • What about Abigail???