The Crucible: Act 4 Essay, Research Paper

Act 4: Crucible

It?s sad to see how the town is falling apart because of these trials. ?Cows are wandering loose, crops are rotting in the fields, and orphans are wandering without supervision.? People are either in jail or attending the trials or are just much too busy worrying about being accused of witchcraft to do much else. It seems that the only reason the Judge is even continuing on the trials is in fairness to those have already hung. But the problem with that is I don?t think the people who have already hung care about whoever comes after them. And even if they did, it seems a little ridiculous to assume that they would be envious of the people who got off to the point that they want them to also die ?just to be fair?.

Obviously Proctor agreed to confess for the sole purpose of saving himself from being executed. While this is true with all the accused, Proctor could not have been more insincere about it. He wanted to try to get away with a confession, and at the same time not have his name tarnished as one who has dealt with the devil. While, if he had signed that note, and they posted it on the Church door, his later hope would have been dashed. This probably would have been the smarter way to go, though. I would have figured that the truth would come out sooner or later, and I would be regarded as a victim rather than a devil?s advocate. Of course, it could not have come out fast enough for him, but that just leaves the opportunity to flee the town. Maybe that?s what he didn?t think he would be able to do. Or maybe he?s just nobler than me when it comes to life and death situations.

This play is about people relying more on gossip and hearsay than the facts, and the terror that could come from it. It?s about the state being run by the Church with no guidelines in what it can or can?t do. It?s about human nature; there are those who refuse to back down from their convictions, and there are those who refuse to back down even if their convictions are an outright lie.