The Crucible

1. The Crucible Act 4, Summing Up, and Essay Planning

2. Red 1 Journal 13 | Block 3 Journal 15Title: Corrupt Characters • Rank the 3 most corrupt characters in The Crucible (1 = most corrupt). Then explain your reasoning in 2-3 sentences. How did you determine the most corrupt character?

3. DustoNotes Act 4 • Pg. 879 Cheever: “There be so many cows wanderin’ the highroads, now their masters are in the jails, and much disagreement who they will belong to now. I know Mr. Parris be arguin’ with farmers all yesterday--there is great contention, sir, about the cows. Contention make him weep, sir.” • How does he characterize Parris? • Why is that ironic?

4. DustoNotes Act 4 • Pg. 879 Parris: “There is news, sir, that the court—the court must reckon with. My niece, sir, my niece—I believe she has vanished!” • Why did the girls run away? (Note: The play is different than the movie version.) • Why must the court reckon with their actions?

5. DustoNotes Act 4 • Pg. 880 Parris: “I tell you what is said here, sir. Andover has thrown out the court, they say, and will have no part of witchcraft. There be a faction here, feeding on that news, and I tell you true, sir, I fear there will be riot here.” • How have the events in Salem influenced surrounding towns?

6. DustoNotes Act 4 • Pg. 880 Parris: “Judge Hathorne—it were another sort that hanged till now. Rebecca Nurse is no Bridge that lived three year with Bishop before she married him. John Proctor is not Isaac Ward that drank his family to ruin. I would to God it were not so, Excellency, but these people have great weight yet in the town. Let Rebecca stand upon the gibbet and send up some righteous prayer, and I fear she’ll wake a vengeance on you.” • To whom is he comparing Rebecca and John? • What point is he making? • How is public opinion changing? Why?

7. DustoNotes Act 4 • Pg. 880 Danforth: “Now hear me, and beguile yourselves no more. I will not receive a single plea for pardon or postponement. Them that will not confess will hang. Twelve are already executed; the names of those seven are given out, and the village expects to see them die this morning. Postponement now speaks a floundering on my part; reprieve or pardon must cast doubt upon the guilt of them that died till now.” • Why is Danforth so steadfast in his position? • Why won’t he budge? • What is he worried about?

8. DustoNotes Act 4 • Pg. 881 Hale: “Excellency, there are orphans wandering from house to house; abandoned cattle bellow on the highroads, the stink of rotting crops hangs everywhere, and no man knows when the harlots’ cry will end his life—and you wonder yet if rebellion’s spoke?” • What are the effects of the trials? • How is Hale feeling?

9. DustoNotes Act 4 • Pg. 881 Hale: “Why, it is all simple. I come to do the Devil’s work. I come to counsel Christians they should belie themselves. There is blood on my head! Can you not see the blood on my head!!” • How is he being ironic? Why? • How is he feeling?

10. DustoNotes Act 4 • Pg 882 Hale (to Elizabeth): “Let you not mistake your duty as I mistook my own . . . It is mistaken law that leads you to sacrifice. Life, woman, life is God’s most precious gift; no principle, however glorious, may justify the taking of it. I beg you, woman, prevail upon your husband to confess. Let him give his life. Quail not before God’s judgment in this, for it may well be God damns a liar less than he that throws his life away for pride.” • Do you agree with his belief that nothing justifies taking away life?

11. DustoNotes Act 4 • Pg 883 Elizabeth: “John, it come to naught that I should forgive you, if you’ll not forgive yourself. . . I have read my heart this three month, John. I have sins of my own to count. It needs a cold wife to prompt lechery.” • Why is Elizabeth apologizing? • How has she changed from the beginning of the play?

12. DustoNotes Act 4 • Pg 886 Proctor: “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 without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name!” • Why is his name so important to him? • What does he mean by “name”? (Or what other words or concepts could be used in place of “name”?)

13. DustoNotes Act 4 • Pg. 886 Proctor: “I can [hang]. And there’s your first marvel, that I can. You have made your magic now, for now I do think I see some shred of goodness in John Proctor. Not enough to weave a banner with, but white enough to keep it from such dogs.” • John Proctor is essentially committing suicide. How does this represent goodness? Do you agree with his decision?

14. John Proctor: Tragic Hero • http://www.60secondrecap.com/library/the-crucible/5/ • Is everything that happened in The Crucible John Proctor’s fault? • With a partner, write your decision on a sticky note and place it on the YES/NO spectrum.

15. John Proctor’s American Journey • Create outline as a class.

16. Summary vs. Analysis Summary: • Like a news reporter: who, what, when, where • Provides overview of the whole (pizza) Analysis: • Like a trial lawyer: how and why • Looks at how the pieces work together (slices of pizza)

17. Summary vs. Analysis Examples Summary: Taylor wrote in his poem “Huswifery” about God’s ultimate, perfect, and glorious will, which involves His careful weaving of our lives into his plan. Analysis: Taylor emphasized that man is but the “Spinning Wheel” while God is the “Weaver,” holding complete control over man’s destiny

18. Summary vs. Analysis Examples Summary: Jonathan Edwards makes it clear to listeners that they are worth nothing by stating that “nothing but the mere pleasure of God, and that of an angry God, without any promise or obligation at all, keeps the arrow one moment from being made drunk with your blood.” Analysis: Edwards uses such harsh language and metaphors in his speech to grab the attention of his listeners and condemn the truth they do not see.