| As you read this Act, Observe Miller’s description of the physical properties of the courtroom. what specific details make the room forbidding? | The room is empty, but plainly decorated and has a serious, dark air about it. There is sunlight, but only through the upper windows–it is not cheerful. |
| As this act opens, what accusation does Giles Corey make? | Thomas Putnam is killing his neighbors in order to purchase their land. |
| What news do we learn about Rebecca Nurse? | She has been found guilty of witchcraft and will be hanged. |
| When John Proctor arrives at court with Mary Warren, what does Reverend Parris accuse him of? | Trying to overthrow the court |
| What two pieces of evidence are brought out against Proctor in regard to his Christian nature? | He does not come to church but once a month and he occasionally plows on Sundays |
| What news does Danforth tell John Proctor about Elizabeth? What deal does he try to make with him? | Elizabeth claims to be pregnant. Danforth says that if she begins to show signs of pregnancy soon, she will live another year. Danforth asks John Proctor whether he is satisfied that his wife is saved, or if he has “larger motives” (such as overthrowing the court) |
| What is going to happen to the 91 people who signed the testament? | They will be arrested and brought in for questioning |
| Discuss “Do that which is good , and no harm shall come to thee.” | John Proctor, quoting scripture, says this to Mary Warren, suggesting that God will protect and support her if she tells the truth. |
| what is Giles’ proof that Putnam is “reaching out for land”? why will he Not reveal his source? | A man overheard Putnam say that his daughter gave him a “gift” of land when she accused George Jacobs of witchcraft. Giles believes that Putnam put his daughter up to accusing George Jacobs. Giles will not reveal his source because the information was shared in confidence, and he knows the man will be arrested if his name is mentioned in the court. |
| what happens to Giles Corey? | He is arrested for contempt of court |
| When Mary Warren says that she pretended to faint in court, what is she asked to do? What is the result? | She is asked to pretend to faint, but she cannot. |
| What does Abigail do when Judge Danforth continues to question her honesty? How would you describe the encounter between them? Who “wins” and why? | When he questions her honesty, she threatens him by suggesting that he could also be accused of witchcraft. Abigail “wins” when she distracts the court from the issue at hand by faking another attack. She pretends that Mary Warren is sending a cold wind upon her – and the court begins to focus on Mary Warren’s misdeeds instead of Abigail’s. |
| What does John Proctor do to discredit her? | Calls her a Harlot, and admits he has “known” her. |
| Who is called to back up John’s testimony? What happens? | Elizabeth is called in to back up John’s testimony, but she lies to protect her husband. |
| What happens when Reverend Hale states that Abigail has always seemed false to him? | Abigail pretends to see Mary Warren’s spirit (in the form of a yellow bird) on the rafter. |
| What is Mary Warren’s reaction to Abigail’s performance? | She caves in and accuses John Proctor of threatening her in order to save his wife. |
| What does John Proctor mean when he says, “God is dead!”? | He came to court to tell the truth, believing that God would protect and support him and Mary Warren. He feels that God has abandoned him and that evil forces reign in Salem. |
| What does Hale do when Proctor is arrested? | Quits the court and walks away |
| What is Danforth’s role in the proceedings? How would you characterize Danforth’s personality? | Judge. Danforth’s basic attitude is that he cares more about how the court and government will end up looking than about anything else |
| Clarify Danforth’s statement that “the entire contention of the state in these trials is that the voice of Heaven is speaking through the children.” | Contention can mean debate/controversy, so if you replace the word it makes a lot more sense. Basically there he is saying the children speak Gods words, and therefore the Truth. ! |
| The end of Act III is often a climax or a turning point in a play. Do you perceive the end of Act III as a “turning point”? Explain why or why not. | Yes. because a lot of events happen at the end of acyt 3 that changed my whole process of thinking. |
| What various techniques does Miller use to achieve heightened drama at the end of Act II? | One of the best techniques used is Proctor’s sarcasm in the lines |
| How would you describe the opening of Act IV? What does Miller achieve dramatically with such an opening? | Act four begins in prison where Sarah Good & Tituba wait to be hanged. He uses this type of diction to show anticipation. |
| Why has Reverend Hale returned to Salem? | He is talking with the prisoners. |
| What is Reverend Hale advising the condemned to do? | He is encouraging them to “lie” to save themselves. |
| What does Reverend Parris reveal about his niece Abigail? | She has run away with his savings. |
| What is the condition of Salem at this point? | cows roam the streets, children are orphaned because their parents are in jail, crops are neglected in the fields, the townspeople fear being accused of witchcraft |
| How does Andover differ from Salem? why does this bother Paris? | The people are rebelling against the witchcraft trials taking place in Andover. |
| How do the proposed hanging of Rebecca Nurse and John Proctor differ from the past executions? | Rebecca and John are important people in the town. Before this time, only those who were socially “unacceptable” had been hanged |
| What does Reverend Parris want Danforth to do? | Postpone the hangings in order to convince at least one of the prisoners to confess to witchcraft |
| What does Reverend Hale want Danforth to do? | Pardon them. He knows they will not confess. |
| What does Reverend Hale mean when he says,”There is blood on my head!”? | He recognizes his part in hanging innocent people for witchcraft. He is guilty of murder. |
| Why does Danforth refuse to postpone the hangings? | He does not want to appear weak, and he does not want the townspeople to doubt the guilt of those who have already been or are about to be hanged. |
| What “law” is Danforth referring to in his assertion: “I should hang ten thousand that dared to rise against the law, and an ocean of salt tears could not melt the resolutions of the statutes”? | Miller’s own statement that those who are zealously acting in defense of the law might be mistaken about its very basis in the first place. Danforth seems to be acting in the name of the legal standards of practice that govern Salem. |
| What do Hale and Danforth request of Elizabeth Proctor? | Speak with her husband and encourage him to confess to save himself |
| What happened to Giles Corey? What is the implication in Elizabeth’s statement that Giles “died Christian under the law”? | He was pressed to death for not revealing the source of his information about Putnam. Elizabeth’s statement suggests that those who confess to witchcraft do not “die Christian”, and there are consequences. |
| What is John’s excuse for confessing? | He is already guilty of adultery |
| What is Elizabeth’s proof that John is a good man? | That he has sat in jail (and been tortured) rather than lie about being involved in witchcraft |
| How has Elizabeth changed since we first met her? | She is visibly pregnant and she is more humble and willing to forgive John for what he did. |
| After John confesses, what does Danforth want him to do? | Sign his name to a written confession |
| Discuss, “I am John Proctor! You will not use me!” | The judges and Rev. Parris want to hang his confession on the church door in order to protect their reputations. |
| What does Hale attribute Proctor’s willingness to hang to? | Pride. Hale believes Proctor is trying to protect his name and his sons. |
| What does Elizabeth attribute it to? | He has his goodness now. |
The Crucible Act 3-4 Study Guide
March 4, 2020