In the last act of "The Crucible," how has Reverend Parris changed? Why doesn't the news of Abigail and Mercy leaving town affect the ruling of the...

After Abigail robs Parris and leaves town, Parris is left penniless, sorrow-stricken, afraid, and a broken man who breaks down and sobs. However, he believes that Abigail left because she was afraid of retribution from other witches in the town and fails to see her guilt. Because of this and other setbacks, he is eager to put an end to the trials but is afraid that the executions of seemingly innocent people will turn the town against him and cause a riot. He has already received non-verbal threats and wants to find a way to make the accused confess in order to spare their lives. He pleads with Proctor to confess so that he is spared, and he even recruits Elizabeth to join him in his task. This change of heart is selfishly motivated, of course, as Parris is still solely concerned for himself.

Abigail's disappearance does not sway the court because Judge Danforth is a proud and stubborn man. He believes that any change in his agenda is a sign of weakness and an admission of error because he has already had twelve people hanged. He thinks that the village expects to see "justice" done, and he vows to hang anyone who opposes the law.