In addition to Danforth’s unwillingness to appear indecisive, he also says that a “reprieve or pardon cast doubt upon the guilt of” those who had already been put to death. Danforth refuses to postpone the hangings because he feels that, if he were defer them, it would undermine his authority and credibility.
Why does Rev Parris want the hangings postponed Why does Danforth disagree?
Parris begs Danforth to postpone the executions of John and Rebecca because they’re so well-respected that he’s received death threats for going along with their hangings. He says, “I would to God it were not so, Excellency, but these people have great weight yet in the town” (pg. 118).
Why is Danforth unwilling to give pardons?
Simply put, Danforth refuses to grant a pardon because he is afraid it will perceived as weakness of the court. Danforth is extremely driven by the sense of prestige and the perception of the court by the citizens of Salem. This can be seen during the trial when Danforth questioned Proctor as to his intent.
Why does Danforth want John to confess?
He wants him to sign his name to the confession, so that it can be hung up for everyone in town to see. Danforth wants to use John Proctor’s name to prove that the witch craft is real and that Danforth/the court did not hang innocent people.
What happened with Abigail and Mercy?
What has happened to Abigail and Mercy Lewis? They stole Parris’s money and ran away.
Why is Elizabeth brought out of jail?
Why is Elizabeth brought out of the jail during Act 4? After John confesses to witchcraft, who else does he name as witches? … Elizabeth convinces John to confess to witchcraft, so he will live.
Why does Elizabeth not beg John to confess?
Elizabeth does not beg John to confess because of what she refers to as “his goodness”. She sees that he refuses to be a hypocrite and a liar. He has denounced the witch trials as a farce and for him to now sign his name to a false declaration of guilt would be hypocritical.
Who died in the crucible Act 4?
By act 4, the audience is aware that Goody Osborne, Bridget Bishop, and Mary Easty have already been hanged for witchcraft. During Elizabeth’s conversation with John in prison, the audience also learns that Giles Corey was mercilessly pressed to death by heavy stones.
Why does Hale say he’s come to do the devil’s work?
Hale says he has come to do the Devil’s work because he wants to get people to lie and confess to witchcraft so the accused will get to live. The fact that it will lessen his guilt and save people who were innocent motivates his actions.
What time of day does ACT 4 Open?
Act 4 opens at night time. This time of day could foreshadow that problems may arise soon. 2. Hathorne says Parris looks mad these days.
Why is Proctor hesitant to testify in court about Abigail’s lies?
Expert Answers
John Proctor’s reason for not going to court is understandable, but selfish. He knows in approaching the court with Abby’s lies, he may expose his own affair, which will ruin his good name. As a result, innocent people will be charged and some will die.
Who does Danforth let Elizabeth speak with?
Danforth allows Elizabeth to speak to John because he hopes she will get him to confess. She has changed towards him.
Why is the crowd reacting differently to the hangings at the end of Act 4?
How do the proposed hangings of Rebecca Nurse and John Proctor differ from past executions? The crowds are happy to see the first group die, but not the 2nd because they are believed to be innocent.
What does Hale want from Danforth?
What does Reverend Hale want Danforth to do? Rev. Hale wants Danforth to pardon all the condemned. If he won’t do that, at least give Hale more time, postpone for a week, publish that they are striving for confessions.
Why does Elizabeth want John confess?
Elizabeth needs John to give his testimony discrediting Abigail to prove that he has moved on from her and his loyalties aren’t divided (and because it’s the honest thing to do).
Why can’t Elizabeth offer her husband?
Why is Elizabeth Proctor unable to to offer her husband advice concerning his possible confession? Because he lied and he didn’t want his lie to become public and he didn’t people to be condemned for his lies. … Because he didn’t want everyone to know his lies and he wanted to keep his good name.
Why does John want to confess why does Elizabeth feel guilty?
The reason that John Proctor decides to confess in Act IV is that he does not want his wife and their child (Elizabeth is pregnant) to be left without a husband and father. Because of this, he will confess so as to save his life.
Where is Abigail now Act 4?
In Act 4 it’s revealed that Abigail has run away and stolen money from her uncle (and so her reputation takes a hit in her absence), but since she is no longer in Salem, it doesn’t really matter for her. In Act 2, Abigail still seems to want to be with John Proctor, since she’s accused Elizabeth Proctor of witchcraft.
Who does Abigail flirt with when he comes to town?
Abigail flirts with John Proctor. She tries to get him to admit that he still wants her and expresses anger toward his wife for “blackening” her name in the village. Abigail admits to Proctor that Betty is just pretending.
Who gave a poppet to Elizabeth?
Mary Warren gives Elizabeth a poppet that she made while in court. Mary Warren tells Elizabeth and Proctor that thirty-nine people are in jail, and Goody Osburn will hang because she did not confess to witchcraft.
Why doesn’t the news that Abigail and Mercy have left town affect the decision of the court?
Why doesn’t the news of Abigail and Mercy have left town affect the decisions of the court? They already hung many innocent people. How is Danforth a victim of his own logic?
What has happened to Abigail Act 2?
Abigail fell on the floor screaming at dinner and pulled a needle out of her stomach, claiming that Elizabeth’s familiar spirit stabbed her. Mary and Elizabeth return, and Mary admits she made the doll in court while Abigail was sitting next to her.
Why did Abigail steal her uncle’s money?
Parris tells Danforth that his daughter, Betty, had heard Abigail and Mercy talking about ships the week before, and so this is what has led to his conclusion that the two girls have stolen all his money in order to leave Salem permanently, by the speediest method possible.