The Crucible - Act 4

The final act, this is also a very powerful act, depicting the difficult choice of Proctor between what is right and what is easy. In this act, Proctor is asked to confess to the crime of witchcraft, in order to save himself. He does this to start with, but when asked to name others, he refuses to name anyone, arousing the suspicion of the judges. Finally, when asked to sign a confession note, he does, but will not give it over. In order to save and honour his friends, he rips the note, and is hanged for witchcraft.

This scene is mostly about the important theme of truth over ease. Rebecca Nurse and Martha Corey have decided that they will honour the truth, and die for it. Proctor initially chooses the opposite because he will gain nothing from upholding the truth; he is, in his mind, already a sinner, so he cannot be a saint by going to his death. Upon confession he realises that he will blacken the name of those who hanged for the truth by lying. He therefore chooses to uphold the truth, and is hanged with Rebecca and Martha. The theme of truth over lies recurs many times through the play as each of the character that are accused make the choice to lie, and save themselves, or to remain truthful, and die. While some of the characters choose to remain truthful because they refuse to sin, other make the choice because of implications for others. Most of those accused choose to name others as witches, and save themselves. At the beginning, Abigail and the other girls make the same choice, denounce others for witchcraft, rather than to accept their actions and be punished appropriately.