plot turning points
The disappearance of these two girls shows that the accusations were unstable all along.
Abigail Williams and Mercy Lewis
John Proctor refuses to lie because this matters more than living.
integrity
The rising sun on Elizabeth symbolizes this kind of renewal.
Moral/spiritual rebirth.
"More Weight"
Giles Corey
At the start of the play, Elizabeth’s personality is often described as this.
Cold or distant
The ruined condition of Salem, animals wandering, and crops dying symbolize this.
The town falling apart due to hysteria.
Posting confessions publicly shows the court cares more about this than justice.
maintaining authority/legitimacy
The stones placed on Giles represent the emotional pressure created by…
injustice
"Because it's my name!"
John Proctor
Elizabeth admits, “It needs a cold wife to prompt lechery,” showing this change.
acceptance of her flaws/accountability
This person begs Danforth to postpone the hangings because innocent people may die.
Reverend Hale
This character dies under heavy stones, inspiring others to resist.
Giles Corey
Proctor tearing his confession symbolizes breaking free from this.
Court's control
“We shall post your confession upon the church door.”
The court
By Act Four, Elizabeth refuses to do this because it would take away John’s “goodness.”
Influence his decision to confess
This is the moment John realizes the court only wants his confession to justify the trials.
when they demand his confession be posted on the church door
Hale calls John's decision “pride,” but it is actually this.
Moral integrity/righteous pride
The dying crops and wandering animals create imagery that represents this theme.
societal collapse due to hysteria
“I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang.”
Proctor
Her emotional shift allows this to finally happen between her and John.
honest communication/forgiveness
The act ends when John does this symbolic action.
tearing up his confession
This theme is shown when characters choose truth even when it leads to death.
Courage
This object Proctor refuses to hand over represents his soul and identity.
his signed confession/name
“It needs a cold wife to prompt lechery.”
Elizabeth
n contrast to the court’s stubborn pride, Elizabeth demonstrates this moral trait.
Humility.