I think even if we went back in history we would never get this man to explain to us exactly why he would logically let this happen. Postponement now speaks a floundering on my part; reprieve or pardon must cast doubt upon the guilt of them that died till now (Miller, 129). The officials decide that they will bring in Elizabeth Proctor to speak with him and convince him to confess. John begs her to tell him whether or not he should confess. Could any of the characters in The Crucible have done more to end the hysteria in Salem? ", Latest answer posted March 27, 2020 at 12:59:11 PM. He goes to the gallows instead of providing a false confession because he realizes his life won't be worth living if he publicly disgraces himself in this way: "How may I live without my name? Samantha is also passionate about art and graduated with honors from Dartmouth College as a Studio Art major in 2014. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Which argument do you think is stronger? In The Crucible, why won't Danforth pardon the prisoners? Explain He didn't want to appear weak. \frac { 2 } { 11 } m + 16 = 4 + \frac { 6 } { 11 } m 112 m+16 = 4+ 116 m _. literature Review the vocabulary list . Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. That he wouldn't sleep with a teenager? Danforth, conciliatory: You misunderstand, sir; I cannot par-don these when . In act 4 of The Crucible, why does John Proctor decide to confess but refuse to sign a written confession? John says he can't bring himself to bind his name to such a shameful lie. And it is my face, and yours, Danforth! 2023 eNotes.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Essential Quotes by Character: John Proctor, Critical Context (Masterplots II: Juvenile & Young Adult Literature Series), Critical Context (Comprehensive Guide to Drama). It drives his point home. In act 4of The Crucible, why won't Danforth pardon the prisoners. Youve successfully purchased a group discount. Latest answer posted April 17, 2020 at 1:25:04 AM. Miller allows this charcter to prosecute these people to demonstrate what he thought Senator McCarthy was doing. ), but we have to consider the pervasiveness of religion in Puritan society. Our summaries and analyses are written by experts, and your questions are answered by real teachers. The Crucible Act IV Summary. He was pressed to death by his interrogators, but his sons will inherit his farm (his property would have been publicly auctioned off if he officially died a criminal). His goodness and honesty, lost during his affair with Abigail, are recovered. 2 Why does Danforth deny Proctor the use of a lawyer? If retaliation is your fear, know this - I should hang ten thousand that dared to rise against the law, and an ocean of salt tears could not melt the resolution of the statutes." twelve are already hanged for the same crime. It takes a cold wife to prompt lechery" pg. Why does Proctor confess and then retract his confession? But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Will you confess yourself with him?" Why doesnt John Proctor attend church often? This act takes place in a jail cell in Salem. The false confessions might absolve him of his guilt, but the confessors would be forced to live the rest of their lives in shame. He says that he does not hold out, like Rebecca and Martha, because of religious conviction. Since he has not permitted anyone to question his abilities in this regard, he will not allow it now. "Postponement now speaks a floundering on my part; reprieve or pardon must cast doubt upon the guilt of them that died till now. Danforth insists he can't pardon anyone or postpone the hangings. This is probably the most substantive line spoken by Tituba in the play. Continue to start your free trial. He begs Danforth to pardon the prisoners or at least give him more time to bring them around. However, the events of The Crucible provide an all too clear allegory for many modern-day tragedies borne of prejudice, fear, and ignorance. Hathorne and Danforth are overjoyed and Cheever grabs paper, pen, and ink to write the confession. It is pretense for me, a vanity that will not blind God nor keep my children out of the wind." For them that quail to bring men out of ignorance, as I have quailed, and as Latest answer posted November 22, 2020 at 10:36:50 AM. Reverend Hale, 122. They want Proctor to sign a confession that admits his own status as a witch, testifies to the effect that he saw the other six prisoners in the company of the devil, and completely corroborates the courts findings. The Devil is not an evil presence; he represents freedom from the bonds of a society that forces people to deny their humanity constantly. Parris wants Danforth to postpone, not cancel, the hangings. A ragged John Proctor is escorted in by Marshal Herrick, and he and Elizabeth are left alone. In act 4 of The Crucible, why does John Proctor decide to confess but refuse to sign a written confession? In response to a separate question Wednesday about a "two-tiered justice system," Pence promised to "clean house" at the Justice Department if elected. Hathorne mentions Parris has had looked a little crazed lately and thinks it might not be wise to allow him amongst the prisoners. Why did the European age of exploration matter? - Brainly.com Danforth's character reports that he will not pardon John Proctor in particular because Proctor will not confess to witchcraft (something he has not done) on a piece of paper by signing his name on a written confession. Latest answer posted May 16, 2021 at 12:50:01 PM. Elizabeth agrees to speak with Proctor, but she makes no promises. She was bedridden, but that's no excuse for not attending to John's every need. What does Danforth's attitude reveal about his sense of justice and the legitimacy of the executions?10. In The Crucible, why won't Danforth pardon the prisoners? Proctor hesitates to sign the confession, saying that it is enough that the men have witnessed him admitting his alleged crimes. I have given you my soul; leave me my name! She has been conditioned to believe that it's her job to prevent her husband from straying by being a happy homemaker. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. He is so authoritarian that he would hang ten thousand people who objected to a law without stopping to consider whether this big of an uprising could indicate major flaws in the law itself. $24.99 When Hale urges Danforth to pardon the prisoners, why does Danforth refuse? Danforth, especially, doesn't want that to happen in Salem because he is a man who loves his power and doesn't want to relinquish it. How are the citizens of Salem and their governing officials dealing with the fallout from the trials? In this light, granting a pardon, while it might be more in line with the pursuit of justice, is something that Danforth sees as a potential weakness, and not something that he could embrace. Though there is less evidence of hysteria in this act, Danforth, for one, is still very much caught up in the "WWIIIIIITTTTCHHHH" mindset. Life, woman, life is God's most precious gift; no principle, however glorious, may justify the taking of it. He also reveals that Abigail and Mercy Lewis have run away, and they stole his life's savings. How does Reverend Hale show his authority? Sometimes it can end up there. Danforth identifies himself with the court, so he takes Hales comments as an attack on his integrity. To this end, he does not want anything to prevent the court's perception as being able to deliver on its assurances and judgments. Despite that, Danforth is also a man who does not want to admit he's made a mistake and so he won't grant a pardon to Proctor and Nurse because doing so would be the same as saying he'd been wrong in pursuing them and putting them on trial for witch craft. Latest answer posted April 17, 2020 at 1:25:04 AM. The judges now have little respect for Parris ("Mr. Parris, you are a brainless man!" Proctor asks why it has to be written. Let him give his lie. Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! As Act IV progresses, it becomes evident that the rebellions towards the court in neighboring Andover is a pressing issue in Danforth's mind. Danforth goes on to say that he cannot be seen to be "floundering". It does not store any personal data. They mistake the bellowing of a cow for the arrival of Satan to carry them away (could've happened to anyone). For them that quail to bring men out of ignorance, as I have quailed, and as Latest answer posted November 22, 2020 at 10:36:50 AM. Hale enters the cell, saddened and exhausted, and says he hasn't been able to get anyone to confess. eNotes.com will help you with any book or any question. Why does Danforth not agree to Parris suggestion? Hale and Parris plead with Elizabeth to remonstrate with Proctor, but she refuses to sway him from doing what he believes is just. And it is my face, and yours, Danforth! The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". He has sentenced numerous people to death based on lies about their dealings in black magic, and he has accepted the false confessions of those who would rather lie than be executed. Latest answer posted May 16, 2021 at 12:50:01 PM. Parris finally enters the cell, looking haggard. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Hale warns that the officials are courting rebellion. Danforth explains that the villagers expect to see the prisoners hanged tomorrow and if he postpones or cancels their executions, he will cast doubt on the court. What reason does Danforth give for refusing to postpone the executions? Educators go through a rigorous application process, and every answer they submit is reviewed by our in-house editorial team. Danforth warns Mary Warren that she must tell the truth. Why does Danforth treat Parris with contempt in The Crucible? In a play, the major character who faces conflict, drives the action, and plays the hero is the. Danforth demands the confession as proof to the village of Proctors witchcraft. While I speak God's law, I will not crack its voice with whimpering" (pg. His court discredited, he would loose his position. 3. pg. If a person dies without sin, she will go to Heaven, but if she corroborates the lie perpetuated by the courts, her soul will carry a permanent stain and could spend eternity in Purgatory or Hell. Select the correct answer. - Brainly.com Free trial is available to new customers only. In The Crucible, why does Danforth not pardon the prisoners in Act 4? What is the most likely reason Danforth refuses pardon? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Danforth, angered now: Reproach me not with the fear in the country; there is fear in the country because there is a moving plot to topple Christ in the country! Scene 3 - CliffsNotes The Crucible: Act 4 Quotes Answers 1 Add Yours Answered by jill d #170087 5 years ago 2/16/2018 3:38 PM Danforth refuses to pardon the prisoners because twelve people have already been executed. What is Judge Danforths reticence informed by? Danforth is concerned primarily with his and the courts reputation. Proctor again replies in the negative. Rather, he does so out of spite because he wants his persecutors to feel the weight of guilt for seeing him hanged when they know he is innocent. However, because Hale is so tormented, he's only able to consider his personal feelings about the situation. SparkNotes PLUS 3 What reason does Danforth give for refusing to offer pardons when the accused are clearly not guilty? Danforth and Hathorne immediately criticize him for letting Hale speak with the prisoners.Parris says Hale is trying to persuade the prisoners to return to God and save their lives by confessing. The Crucible by Arthur Miller: Act 4 - Study.com Parris points out that this is because all of the people who have been executed up until now had bad reputations for other reasons (Bridget Bishop lived with a man before marrying him, Isaac Ward's alcoholism left his family in poverty). Postponement, now, speaks a a floundering on my part; reprieve or pardon must cast doubt upon the guilt of them that died till now. Later, when Hale presses the point, he invokes God to say he will not postpone the executions: We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. eNotes Editorial, 19 Dec. 2016, https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/in-act-4-of-the-crucible-why-won-t-danforth-198117. He doesn't want to pardon the prisoners because then the people who had already died for the same crime would have died for nothing. on 50-99 accounts. (one code per order), SparkNotes PLUS Why does Proctor confess and then retract his confession? Why does danforth refuse to pardon the prisoners? - Answers What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For? What does Danforth's attitude reveal about his sense of justice and the legitimacy of the executions? Could any of the characters in The Crucible have done more to end the hysteria in Salem? Danforth calls for the marshal. (b) Danforth refuse to pardon the prisoners because he does not want to " cast doubt " on the justification of the hangings of the twelve people who had already been sentenced to death and on the hanging punishment for the seven prisoners who were still in custody. "I cannot pardon these when twelve hare already hanged for the same crime. Hale enters, demanding pardons for the convicted. He knows his name will forever be associated with cowardice and a lack of integrity. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". ", Latest answer posted March 27, 2020 at 12:59:11 PM. Proctors refusal to take part in the ritual transfer of guilt that has dominated the playthe naming of other witchesseparates him from the rest of the accused. As Elizabeth says to him, "There be no higher judge under Heaven than Proctor is!" Latest answer posted November 22, 2020 at 12:05:25 PM, In The Crucible, explain what Elizabeth means when she says, "He have his goodness now, God forbid I take it from him. Could any of the characters in The Crucible have done more to end the hysteria in Salem? Have the Devil dried up any tear of pity in you?" Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here: PrepScholar 2013-2018. Start your 48-hour free trial to get access to more than 30,000 additional guides and more than 350,000 Homework Help questions answered by our experts. Could any of the characters in The Crucible have done more to end the hysteria in Salem? I have given you my soul; leave me my name!" Source (s) The Crucible New User? Though Rebecca Nurse's involvement has already been corroborated by other confessors, Danforth demands to hear it from John. How does John Proctor know that the witchcraft isnt real? What can you conclude from the references made to Andover? Why does Danforth refuse to pardon Proctor? - Short-Fact Historical Context Essay: Arthur Miller and the Red Scare, Literary Context Essay: Political Theater and the Play. Read an important quote about Proctors powerful recantation. His stubbornness is connected to his belief that the court should not be in any way compromised in its authority. eNotes Editorial, 20 Sep. 2010, https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/in-the-crucible-why-does-danforth-not-pardon-the-199171. Parris and Danforth are both very aware of how the people in Andover rebelled against the witch trials there. Latest answer posted November 22, 2020 at 12:05:25 PM, In The Crucible, explain what Elizabeth means when she says, "He have his goodness now, God forbid I take it from him. When they hear a cow bellowing, Tituba says it is "the majesty" and calls out for it to take her home. Cheever says he thinks Parris' distress is a product of the ongoing property disputes in town. eNotes Editorial, 26 Oct. 2008, https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/in-act-4-of-the-crucible-parris-tells-danforth-43581. And it is my face, and yours, Danforth! And it is my face, and yours, Danforth! 2 Why does Danforth deny Proctor the use of a lawyer? Now they're about to hang Rebecca Nurse and John Proctor, people who are still well-liked and respected in the community. 12. A fire, a fire is burning! has lost all chance of gaining Proctors affections. Reverend Parris is also supposed to meet with Danforth and Hathorne, so Herrick goes to get him. Enjoy eNotes ad-free and cancel anytime. Act 4 opens with Herrick removing Tituba and Sarah Good from a jail cell so the court officials can hold a meeting there. This is an example of tragic irony because Danforth has been trading people's lives for lies this whole time. Why is Danforth especially nervous about rumors concerning events in Download it for free now: hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(360031, '688715d6-bf92-47d7-8526-4c53d1f5fe7d', {"useNewLoader":"true","region":"na1"}); hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(360031, '03a85984-6dfd-4a19-93c8-5f46091f5e2b', {"useNewLoader":"true","region":"na1"}); Samantha is a blog content writer for PrepScholar. Purchasing Latest answer posted April 17, 2020 at 1:25:04 AM. This can be seen during the trial when Danforth questioned Proctor as to his intent. Devil, him be pleasure-man in Barbados, him be singin' and dancin' in Barbados. Danforth is disturbed to learn from Herrick that Reverend Hale has been praying with the prisoners. "I came into this village like a bridegroom to his beloved, bearing gifts of high religion; the very crowns of holy law I brought, and what I touched with my bright confidence, it died; and where I turned the eye of my great faith, blood flowed up. This is the reason that they vigorously try to get Proctor to confess, so that they have an excuse to avoid hanging him. His good intentions rooted in a strong faith led to the loss of innocent lives. Why won't Danforth pardon the prisoners in act 4 of The Crucible? Proctors desire to preserve his good name earlier keeps him from testifying against Abigail, leading to disastrous consequences. Clearly, the most important issue for the officials of the court is the preservation of their reputations and the integrity of the court. Educators go through a rigorous application process, and every answer they submit is reviewed by our in-house editorial team. What is the most likely reason Danforth refuses pardon? What does he mean? What does he mean? "In The Crucible, why does Danforth not pardon the prisoners in Act 4?" The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. Why does Rev Parris want to postpone the hangings? How do you calculate working capital for a construction company? At this point, even Danforth understands that the whole witchcraft hysteria was probably a hoax, and that he and the Puritan court had sent innocent people to their deaths. He brings books about witchcraft with him. He finally does so, but then he snatches the signed paper away. Why won't Danforth pardon the prisoners in act 4 of The Crucible? He snatches the signed paper away at the last minute and rips it to shreds, thus sealing his fate. John is convinced that he is not worthy of dying as a martyr because he has already lied and committed immoral acts in his life. TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. Act 4 the crucible study guide Flashcards In act 4 of The Crucible, Parristells Danforth,"You cannot not hang this sort." "In act 4of The Crucible, why won't Danforth pardon the prisoners?" Latest answer posted November 22, 2020 at 12:05:25 PM, In The Crucible, explain what Elizabeth means when she says, "He have his goodness now, God forbid I take it from him. Danforth realizes that he is taking a great risk by executing such prestigious community members but remains resolute and refuses to compromise. Why does Danforth say he refuses to postpone the executions? Danforth also knows that pardoning the accused citizens will cast doubt on the previous proceedings, where innocent people were publicly executed. In this section, I'll list a few of the most important quotes in Act 4 and explain why they matter. After quitting the court in Act 3, Hale did some self-reflection and decided to return to Salem to advise the accused witches to confess. Under pressure, he signs his name but snatches the sheet from Danforth. | He is still just looking out for himself because there was a knife in his door one morning. Abigail and Mercy Lewis disappeared a few days before. Hale now appears, haggard and sorrowful. (pg. Why does Danforth deny Proctor the use of a lawyer? He asks for Elizabeth's forgiveness, but she says her forgiveness doesn't mean anything if he won't forgive himself. He offers his confession, and Danforth asks him if he ever saw Rebecca Nurse in the devils company. Simply put, Danforth refuses to grant a pardon because he is afraid it will perceived as weakness of the court. "In act 4 of The Crucible, Parristells Danforth,"You cannot not hang this sort." . Why doesnt Danforth believe John Proctors confession of his infidelity with Abigail Williams? "Let them that never lied die now to keep their souls. Why does Danforth refuse to pardon the condemned? 119). . You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. He would also be worrying about his own safety should people get angry enough. Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. They decide to bring in Elizabeth Proctor so she can talk to John and hopefully convince him to confess before he is sent to the gallows. He can't understand why Elizabeth doesn't fall apart and beg her husband to confess because he doesn't grasp the idea that an action can be legally prudent but morally distasteful. Danforth fearsfirstthat he would lose credibility and authority if he postpones the hangings. You should also take a look at our analyses of two of the most important women in The Crucible, Abigail Williams and Rebecca Nurse. John refuses to name any names of other people he's seen with the Devil, and Danforth becomes frustrated. Hale asks Danforth to pardon the seven individuals condemned to die, or allow him more time to persuade them to confess. Hale: But it does not follow that everyone accused is part of it. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Twelve are already executed; the names of these seven are given out, and the village expects to see them die at dawn. What is Danforths response to Hales request? What reason does Danforth give for refusing to postpone the executions? The Crucible Comprehension Questions: (Please used evidence) - Brainly.com Hathorne is worried about Parris appearing this unstable since he's supposed to be the town's spiritual leader. Danforth becomes angry with Parris and denies his request. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. What is Reverend Parriss biggest concern? At the end of Act 3, Reverend Hale quits the court in Salem out of frustration because he sees that irrationality and hysteria have taken over the proceedings. Danforth is dependent on this concept of the infallibility of the law because it allows him to maintain control. Them that will not confess will hang. This might seem strange to us today (obviously you should just lie to avoid being executed! He'd rather die with dignity than live in shame, and she respects his choice. Log in with Facebook 5 Why does Hale say there is fear in the country and how does Danforth respond? Best answer for this question, how does Danforth feel about Parris act3? John Proctor, pg. Hale points out that society in Salem is on the verge of collapsing because of the upheaval caused by the trials. He decided not to enter a plea, so that his farm would fall to his sons. She agrees to speak with her husband, but she doesn't promise to persuade him to confess. Danforth is extremely driven by the sense of prestige and the perception of. He says "I am not empowered to trade your life for a lie" (Danforth pg. Many homes have fallen into neglect because their owners were in jail or had to attend the proceedings. In light of all of the above, Judge Danforth stubbornly refuses to postpone the executions. The others beg Elizabeth to convince him to reconsider, but she refuses to deprive him of this choice when it's clearly the only way he can break free from his self-hatred. Why doesn't Danforth pardon the prisoners? How many people die in Arthur Miller's The Crucible? Will the "witches" falsely confess to avoid execution? Already a member? You'll also receive an email with the link. Doll is. While they seek to take advantage of Proctors reputation for honesty in order to support their claims of having conducted themselves justly, Danforth and Hathorne are wholly unwilling to believe Proctor when he says that he has conducted himself justly. He says it's better to tell a white lie than to sacrifice a life for pride, but Elizabeth is not convinced ("I think that be the Devil's argument." Danforth is extremely driven by the sense of prestige and the perception of the court by the citizens of Salem. Before John Proctor and Rebecca Nurse mount the gibbet in act four, Reverend Hale desperately pleads with Deputy Governor Danforth to postpone the hangings or pardon the accused citizens in order to avoid inciting a rebellion. 134. In act 4 of The Crucible, why does John Proctor decide to confess but refuse to sign a written confession? By Act IV he is trying to save face by urging them to confess so he can let them off the hook. In Act IV, Reverend Hale tells Deputy Governor Danforth that he must pardon the prisoners because they refuse to admit to witchcraft. John says he chooses to have his life, and Hathorne assumes this means he will confess. Danforth is exasperated and calls Parris a fool. Parris and Hale beg Elizabeth to convince John to reconsider as John and Rebecca are led off to the gallows. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Parris has been arguing with farmers about who gets to claim these cows for days, and he doesn't handle conflict well, so it makes him upset. He advises that they postpone the hangings and continue pushing for confessions, but Danforth refuses because it would make him look bad. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. I beg you, woman, prevail upon your husband to confess. 4 Educator answers. The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points, How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer. It is not just. "The American people have lost confidence in . When Parris arrives at the meeting, he explains . God forbid I take it from him! The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points, How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer, Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests. Parris also reveals that Abigail ran away with his life's savings, most likely because of the rising societal discontent with the court's activities. (pg. Quail not before God's judgement in this, for it may well be God damns a liar less than he that throws his life away for pride." 113. It's you folks - you riles him up 'round here; it be too cold 'round here for that Old Boy. Then, study each item below to categorize each group of words as all synonyms or as a mixture of antonyms and synonyms. 2013, https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/why-won-t-danforth-pardon-the-prisoners-in-act-4-293269. Elizabeth and John are left alone, and Elizabeth informs John of Giles Corey's death. Elizabeth refuses; she realizes that this is what John needs to do. Expert Answers Curt Southern | Certified Educator As was mentioned in the previous post, Deputy Governor Danforth is an extremely rigid and prideful man. There will be less blood on his hands if he can get them to confess. ", Latest answer posted March 27, 2020 at 12:59:11 PM. Instead of doing the right thing and listening to Reverend Hale's advice, Danforth remains stubborn and selfish by refusing to pardon the prisoners. Elizabeth tells Proctor that almost one hundred people have confessed to witchcraft. 4 How many people have hanged at this point and why does Danforth refuse to postpone the hangings?