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PROCTOR. By Sean, Erin, Adam, Amy, Nicole. Plot Summary of Act 4. At the beginning of the act, Proctor is in a jail cell, awaiting hanging. The only way he can escape hanging is to confess to witchcraft, and Proctor contemplates this.
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PROCTOR By Sean, Erin, Adam, Amy, Nicole.
Plot Summary of Act 4 • At the beginning of the act, Proctor is in a jail cell, awaiting hanging. • The only way he can escape hanging is to confess to witchcraft, and Proctor contemplates this. • Proctor begs forgiveness from Elizabeth, but still she insists he must forgive himself. • Proctor tears up his confession and hangs for the sake of those who have already hanged and for his legacy.
Proctor’s Development • “I cannot mount the gibbet like a saint. It is a fraud. I am not that man.” • We can infer from this that Proctor has not forgiven himself for his lechery. He considers himself a flawed man, and believes that giving another lie would not affect how he judges himself. • He also thinks that it would be immoral and hypocritical.
Factors Creating Tension. • “ I have three children – how may I teach them to walk like men in the world, and I sold my friends” • This implies that his friends have hanged for his sins. • He is not an adequate role model for his children. • Picture By adam
Proctor’s Revelation • “Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang! How may I live my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name!” • This quote cuts to the very heart of what the play is about. Proctor suffers a painful epiphany- he is suddenly aware that the sacrifice of his reputation, his integrity, and the integrity of his friends is something he is incapable of. This revelation is powerful and cathartic. In his resolution to die to preserve or redeem his social standing Proctor experiences relief. He has made the decision that Elizabeth reminded him was his to make at the start of the play. • Proctor’s situation is an exaggeration of an everyday occurrence. Our feelings towards Proctor are mixed, and this final revelation allows Proctor to regain the respect of the reader, and thereby maintain his legacy with his reputation intact.
