1. Important Stuff Act 4

2.  Just FYI: Act III ended with John Proctor’s arrest and Reverend Hale’s exit from the court.  Setting: the JAIL  The Gist of Act IV:  Danforth and friends are feeling pressure from the community, and there is a fear of riot in Salem (People are fed up with the witch trials and are starting to question the validity of the proceedings).  Hale is visiting those in prison to pray with them and convince them to lie and confess (and save themselves).  Elizabeth Proctor is pregnant, and they ask her to plead to her husband to confess and save his life.  At first, John confesses to the crime of witchcraft, but with his honor and integrity on the line, he refuses to sign the confession, which results in his execution.

3.  What has happened to Abigail?  How has Reverend Parris changed? What are his motives in stopping/postponing the executions?  In Danforth’s mind, why can he not postpone the executions or pardon the excused?  How has Reverend Hale changed?  What happened to Giles Corey?  Does Elizabeth forgive her husband?  What prevents John from just confessing and saving himself?  Who is also executed on this day?

4.  Danforth: “You misunderstand me, sir; I cannot pardon these when twelve are already hanged for the same crime. It is not just” (129).  Rev. Hale: “…I come to counsel Christians they should belie themselves. There is blood on my head! Can you not see the blood on my head!” (131).  Rev. Hale: “Let you not mistake your duty as I mistook my own. I came into this village like a bridegroom to his beloved, bearing gifts of high religion…Beware, Goody Proctor—cleave to no faith when faith brings blood” (132).  Elizabeth: “Whatever you will do, it is a good man does it…I have sins of my own to count. It needs a cold wife to prompt lechery” (137).  Proctor: “I speak my own sins; I cannot judge another. I have no tongue for it” (141).  Proctor: “Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life…I have given you my soul; leave me my name!” (143).