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100
What paper did ninety-one people sign and why?
What is a deposition that testifies of the good nature of Rebecca Nurse, Elizabeth Proctor, and Martha Corey (pg. 93).
100
What happens to Proctor?
Proctor is accused of threatening Mary Warren forcing her to overthrow the court. Because of this, Proctor, in anger, declares that they will all "burn" together. (pgs. 119-120)
100
What is Hale's problem as Proctor and his friends present evidence to Danforth?
Hale begins to realize that Proctor and his friends have a valid point and that the people who had been accused and sentenced so far could very well have been innocent (pgs. 99-100,114).
200
When Danforth hears that Elizabeth is pregnant, what does he allow?
He allows her time to see if her "natural signs" appear. If they do not, and she is truly pregnant, he will allow her one year before she is hanged, to have her baby (pg. 92). The point is that if Proctor is just trying to save Elizabeth, he not continue with his arguments because she is saved for another year.
200
Why do Giles and Francis want to talk to Danforth? Why is Giles arrested?
They go to try to persuade the judge that their wives are good women, not witches (pg. 86). Giles is arrested "in contempt of this court" (pg. 98-99) because he will not give the name of the person who heard Putnam saying he was killing neighbors for their land.
200
Why is Mary Warren in court? What does she tell Danforth?
Mary is in court with Proctor to confess that she and the other girls were pretending (pg. 89). She tells Danforth "It were pretense, sir."
300
Hathorne thinks of a test for Mary. What is it? Can she do it? Why or why not?
He asks Mary to faint, as she fainted in the courtroom. No, she cannot do it in front of Hawthorne on demand. She says that she was able to in the courtroom because the mood was set and she got caught up in the mood with the other girls, which enabled her to do it there (pg. 106-107).
300
How does Abigail turn the court against Mary? What is Mary's response?
Abigail and the girls pretend that her spirit is coming to get them, that she is herself doing some kind of bewitching. Mary tells them to stop, but when they don't, she ends up breaking down and joining them for her own protection. She then blames John Proctor (pgs. 108-110, 114-119).
300
Why does Proctor confess lechery? Why does he think Danforth and Hathorne will believe his confession? Why don’t they believe him?
Proctor confesses lechery to show that Abigail is trying to kill Elizabeth to be with him; his hope is that Elizabeth will be set free (pg. 110). He thinks they will believe his confession because they plan to ask Elizabeth about the affair and Proctor claims that his wife never lies (111). They don't believe him because Elizabeth does, in fact, lie, trying to protect John (pg. 113).
400
How is Elizabeth’s testimony used against Proctor? Why is this an unfair test of Elizabeth’s word against John’s?
Elizabeth's testimony declares that Proctor never cheated on her, which the court knows is a lie because Proctor already confessed (Elizabeth does not know this). It is an unfair test of Elizabeth's word because the characters are under and immense amount of pressure and are simply trying to say whatever the court wants to hear, for that is the only way they'll be free (113).
400
Why doesn’t the court need lawyers or witnesses? What does this suggest about the proceedings?
Danforth claims that "the pure in heart need no lawyers" (93). This particular case cannot call upon witnesses because, as Danforth says, "Witchfraft is ipso facto, on its face and by its nature, an invisible crime, is it note? Therefor, who may possibly be witness to it? The witch and the victim. None other" (100). This suggests that the proceedings have no actual evidence and that anybody can wrongly accuse another of witchcraft; it suggests that the court is unfair, biased, and controlled solely by those in charge. This also shows the flaw in a theocracy, where people are held to a moral code as the law.
400
". . . a person is either with this court or he must be counted against it, there be no road between." Explain the importance of Danforth's statement.
Danforth (and Puritans in general) left no room for in-between cases. Either people were witches or they weren't. If one opposed the court, one would be in contempt. There was no room for error on the part of the court and no room for question or correction for the court. It could, then, go on forever in its incorrect path. It also refused to accept anything ambiguous (94).
500
Why does Hale denounce the proceedings? What should have been the effect of his denunciation? Why is it not?
Hale denounces the proceeding because he has realized that "private vengeance is working through this testimony!" (pg. 114) and has sentenced people to death who, he comes to believe, were wrongly accused. Because Hale is an expert on witchcraft, his opinion should have been highly valued. However, the theatrics of Abby and the other girls has convinced Danforth that others are lying, and Danforth believes, above all, in the power of the court.
500
Why does Danforth make Abigail and Proctor turn their backs to Elizabeth when she enters the court?
Danforth doesn't want Elizabeth to detect anything from Abigail or Proctor about what to say (pg. 112-113 )
500
There is an excellent display of dramatic irony in Act III. Identify what this is.
When the reader/audience knows that Elizabeth must lie to Danforth to save Proctor, and Elizabeth doesn't (pg. 113)
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