The crucible ends at the hanging of John Proctor because his death represents the climax of the play and the tragic outcome of the witch trials. John Proctor is the protagonist of the play, and his decision to die rather than confess to a false accusation of witchcraft shows his courage, integrity, and defiance of the corrupt authorities. His death also exposes the hypocrisy and injustice of the court, as he refuses to tarnish his name and the names of his friends by lying. His death is a powerful symbol of the resistance and sacrifice of the innocent victims of the hysteria.
The information in "Echoes Down The Corridor" is included as an epilogue to provide some historical context and resolution to the events of the play. The epilogue reveals what happened to some of the main characters after the witch trials, such as Abigail Williams, Reverend Parris, and Judge Danforth. It also explains how the witch trials affected the society and politics of Salem and Massachusetts, and how some people tried to atone for their mistakes or justify their actions. The epilogue also connects the themes of the play to the contemporary issues of the 1950s, when the play was written, such as the McCarthyism and the Cold War. The epilogue shows how the crucible is not only a historical drama, but also a timeless allegory of the dangers of mass hysteria, intolerance, and persecution.