The Final Act of The Crucible

The Final Act of The Crucible

The final act in the play, act four, fits into the plot three months

later, after the court case and all the hangings of the condemned have

taken place. It is a scene full of tragedy, defeat, misjudgement and

misery. The audience should be left finding themselves asking

questions, as 'The Crucible' is a reminder of how evil can be

committed by everyday people.

This final act shows all the journeys the characters have travelled,

in some cases from beginning to end. The way in which some of the

characters act reflects the society they live in where in some cases

the characters will be of principles and in others they will not. This

is evident in the play with two of the main characters, hale and

parries who both prefer life to personal integrity. Hale sees this

moral error and speaks to Elizabeth of it ,

'Life women, life is god's most precious gift; no principle, however

glorious, may justify the taking of it'

parris does not see this error and mistakes principle for self

protection of his life his authority and of those whom he suspects of

despising him.

Looking at the complete opposite, showing the different priorities

within this society and community are the people that lose their lives

as they realise the importance of their own principles and integrity.

This is evident with the proctors when the play reaches its climax in

act four with two of the main characters, john and Elizabeth proctor.

John is deciding whether to confess to an accusation he didn't commit,

or to deny it and die. John realises the importance of his own

integrity and becomes a different man who would rather not lie but

tell the truth and be executed. This shows strength and how he is a

man of great principle.

'is it fraud.am I not that man.my honesty is broke,Elizabeth ;I am no

good man.nothings spoiled by giving them this lie that were not rotten

long before'

with some strong advice from his wife he chooses honestly and goes to

his death with a few others who also refused to confess. The audience

will see that this shows commitment and dedication when a man would

die rather than confess to a false accusation. In modern day life most

societies would not behave like this because people would not be put

in this life/death situation. In general I belive most people would

rather tell the truth rather than lie and get a bad name for

themselves.

Elizabeth ends the play with a scene of tragedy. The stage directions

have a ray of light fall upon her.