Plot & Events
The girls are accused of doing this in the forest before the witchcraft accusations begin
Dancing/engaging in forbidden activties
This term describes behavior meant to deceive others or create a false impression
Pretense
Farmer married to Elizabeth Proctor
John Proctor
Historical event which involved the execution of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts from 1692-1693
Salem Witch Trials
Proctor risks losing this if he refuses to confess to witchcraft
His life
The object that Mary Warren gives to Elizabeth in Act 2
Poppet (doll)
This rehtorical appeal persuades an audience by appealing to emotion
Pathos
Young woman who has an affair with John Proctor and leads other girls in accusing people of witchcraft
Abbigail Williams
Communism
That which Abigail hopes to gain by accusing Elizabeth of witchcraft
To be with John Proctor
John Proctor brings Mary Warren to court in Act 3 for this reason
To expose the girls' pretense and prove that the accusations are false
This rhetorical appeal persuades an audience through logic, facts, or reasoning
Logos
Enslaved woman in Reverend Parris's household who is accused of witchcraft after the girls are discovered in the forest
Tituba
Peiord of widespread fear of communist influence in the United States; let to suspicion and accusations against alleged communists
Red Scare
The reason that Reverend Hale begins urging the accused to confess in Act 4
He wants to atone for his mistakes and save their lives, even if they must lie
Elizabeth does this when questioned about John's affair
Lies to protect his reputation, not knowing he'd already confessed
This rhetorical appeal relies on a speaker's credibility, character, or authority
Ethos
Minister who arrives at the Proctor home in Act 2 to investigate the religious nature of the family, but who later comes to doubt the trials
Reverened Hale
Named for Senator Joseph McCarthy, this practice involved accusing people of communist disloyalty, often without sufficient evidence
McCarthyism
The thing that John Proctor values and which makes him reluctant sign his written confession
His name
Giles Corey's means of death after refusing to answer the court's questions
Pressed to death with heavy stones
The type of evidence the courts used, wherein they accepted claims that someone's spirit had been seen tormenting another person, even without physical proof
Spectral Evidence
Her grief over the deaths of several children, combined with her belief that witchraft is responsible, contributes to the accusations in Salem
Mrs. Putnam
This congressional committee investigated alleged communist influence and subversive activities in Amercian society, including Hollywood
House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC)
That which Danforth fears will happen if he admits that the court has made mistakes
The court's authority & credibility will be undermined