Summary

• Reverend Parris has become unstable, entering the room and confessing that Abigail and Mercy Lewis have stolen his money and run away. Betty admits that she overheard them planning to run away. Reverend Parris believes that they fled Salem in fear of the consequences of their role in the witch hunts.
• Parris fears that if the well-respected John Proctor, Rebecca Nurse and Martha Corey are hanged, a riot will break out in Salem. Parris wants to postpone the hangings to prevent a riot and Hale wants the three villagers pardoned – Danforth refuses, feeling that this would make him look weak.
• John and Elizabeth are brought into the room together, Danforth thinking that she will convince Proctor to admit to the charge of witchcraft to save his life. Seeing each other for the first time in three months, their meeting is emotional and bittersweet. John seeks Elizabeth’s advice but she insists that he must make his own decision.
• John, holding onto the guilt from his affair, feels that he is tainted in the eyes of God and his wife. While she has forgiven him, he struggles to forgive himself.
• John decides to confess to witchcraft and denies ever seeing any of the accused practice witchcraft, protecting the names of his fellow townspeople. He signs his confession.
• However, his apprehension towards a false confession spread across town motivates proctor to destroy his confession and instead receive an honourable death with his reputation preserved. He walks to the gallows alongside Rebecca Nurse and Elizabeth, left pregnant, watches proctor get crucified.