Act IIII, Scene 3 Summary
Danforth calls for Abigail and the other girls, wanting to discuss Mary Warren's charge that Abigail is lying. Abigail flatly denies this, and Danforth begins questioning Mary's ability to faint in court and asks her to demonstrate. Mary cannot faint on command in front of them and suggests that the other girls' hysteria allowed her to faint at the moment.
Danforth asks Abigail whether it's possible that she has been mistaken and only imagined the presence of spirits. Outraged and defensive, Abigail accuses Danforth of mistrusting her, and he begins to back down. Abigail then begins acting as if she is freezing and accuses Mary of sending her spirit out to hurt her. The other two girls follow Abigail's lead and do the same thing.
John Proctor interrupts their pretend fit, grabbing Abigail and accusing her of being a whore. Everyone is shocked, but John admits he has known her sexually. He explains that Elizabeth fired Abigail because she knew her for a whore. Danforth wants Elizabeth to confirm this, bringing Elizabeth into the courtroom.
Elizabeth is asked why she dismissed Abigail, and Elizabeth—unaware of what John has confessed—tries to protect his reputation by saying that she was simply unhappy with Abigail. She is then directly asked if John is a lecher, and she lies and says no. Danforth orders her removed as John yells out that he has already confessed. Hale tries to defend Elizabeth, arguing that it is a "natural lie to tell."
Like the other girls, Abigail—likely beginning to panic—starts screaming hysterically. They mimic Danforth and act like they see a bird in the building. Abigail says Mary has sent the bird to harm her. Under the weight of their accusations, Mary finally breaks down and pretends to be possessed, turning on John and accusing him of being the "Devil's man."
Danforth urges John to confess, but John states that God must be dead if such things happen. John and Giles Corey are taken to jail, and the scene closes as Hale storms out of the court, denouncing the proceedings.
Expert Q&A
What does John Proctor's quote at the end of Act 3 communicate to the audience?
"A fire, a fire is burning! I hear the boot of Lucifer, I see his filthy face! And it is my face, and yours, Danforth! For them that quail to bring men out of ignorance, as I have quailed, and as you quail now when you know in all your black hearts that this will be fraud—God damns our kind especially, and we will burn, we will burn together!"
John's outburst at the end of Act III tries to tell the audience that what Danforth is doing is an act of evil that can only lead to his eternal damnation. John has accepted his own sins of adultery and lying and will leave his judgment to God. He challenges Danforth, and everyone who can hear him, to admit to their own deceptive acts.
In act 3 of The Crucible, what does John openly admit to Danforth?
John admits to Danforth that he had an affair with Abigail. He hopes this revelation will discredit Abigail, who manipulates the court proceedings. Despite the risk to his reputation, John declares Abigail a "whore" to prove she is untrustworthy. However, Danforth seeks corroboration and calls Elizabeth, who unknowingly lies to protect John, denying the affair. This results in John being perceived as a liar, while Abigail regains the court's trust.
What does Danforth say about the 91 petition signers for Rebecca Nurse and Martha Corey in The Crucible Act 3?
In Act 3 of The Crucible, Danforth reacts to the 91 petition signers for Rebecca Nurse and Martha Corey by ordering their arrest for examination. He sees the petition as a potential challenge to the court's authority, stating, "a person is either with this court or he must be counted against it." This response reflects the theme of guilt by association, reminiscent of the McCarthy hearings, and leads to increased fear and tension among the villagers.
Describe Proctor's inner conflicts and emotions in act 3 of The Crucible.
In act 3 of The Crucible, Proctor is conflicted by his desire to save his wife and his desire to save the lives of his friends' wives. Proctor also admits to his lechery with Abigail, ruining his own reputation in order to prove her guilt, and this choice is clearly agonizing to him.
How do Mary Warren, John Proctor, Giles Corey, and John Hale show courage and integrity in Act 3?
Mary Warren shows courage by telling the truth to the magistrates despite pressure from her peers, though fear eventually overwhelms her. John Proctor demonstrates integrity by sacrificing his reputation to save his wife and others, refusing to abandon his cause even when his wife is safe. John Hale defies authority by advocating for fair trials and condemning private vengeance. Giles Corey exhibits bravery by refusing to reveal a source to protect his friend, leading to his arrest and eventual death.
How does John Proctor defend the rights of other citizens in Act 3 of The Crucible?
In Act 3 of The Crucible, John Proctor defends the rights of other citizens by refusing to abandon his friends, despite the court offering him a reprieve for his wife, Elizabeth. He presents a deposition supporting the good character of accused citizens like Rebecca Nurse and Martha Corey, backed by 91 signatures. Proctor also exposes his affair with Abigail to discredit her accusations, sacrificing his own reputation to protect the innocent and challenge the court's unjust actions.
In The Crucible, how does the Man vs. Society conflict build in Act 3 and why might Giles and John struggle to persuade the judges?
In Act 3, the Man vs. Society conflict intensifies as John Proctor and Giles Corey attempt to reveal the truth about the false witchcraft accusations. They struggle to persuade the judges due to the deeply ingrained societal beliefs about witchcraft, where accusers are automatically trusted, and accused witches are assumed to lie. Governor Danforth's rigid stance reflects the court's binary view, leaving no room for doubt, making it difficult for Proctor and Corey to change the judges' minds.
What are the three depositions presented in act 3 of The Crucible?
In Act 3 of The Crucible, three key depositions are presented. First, Giles Corey attempts to prove his wife Martha's innocence by accusing Thomas Putnam of prompting false accusations for land gain. Second, Giles Corey and Francis Nurse submit a list of 91 signatures attesting to the good character of the accused women. Third, John Proctor presents Mary Warren's deposition, which claims the girls, including herself, have been pretending to see spirits.
What does Giles accuse Putnam of in Act 3 of The Crucible?
In Act 3, Giles Corey accuses Thomas Putnam of instructing his daughter to accuse George Jacobs of witchcraft to acquire Jacobs' land. Giles believes Putnam is exploiting the witch trials to gain land from his neighbors, a claim illustrating how some individuals manipulated the hysteria for personal gain. This accusation reflects Arthur Miller's allegorical critique of McCarthyism, suggesting that figures like McCarthy used the Red Scare for political and economic advantage.
Are Giles and Proctor arrested at the end of Act 3 in The Crucible?
Yes, at the end of Act 3, both Giles Corey and John Proctor are arrested. Giles is taken into custody for refusing to reveal the name of his informant regarding Thomas Putnam's land-grabbing scheme. Proctor is arrested after Mary Warren accuses him of being "the Devil's man," leading Judge Danforth to order their imprisonment. The act concludes with Mr. Hale quitting the court in protest.
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