The Basics
Where is the play set?
Salem, Massachusetts
Elizabeth did not tell Danforth that Abigail was a harlot because she...
A. wanted John to be arrested
B. did not want to hurt Abigail
C. was actually never in this act
D. wanted to save John's reputation
D. wanted to save John's reputation
What it the BEST clue helps the audience realize that despite Mary's confession Hale still did not believe it was truly hers?
A. "Are you certain this be in your natural memory?"
B. "Perhaps, that someone conjures you even now to say this."
C. "You charge a cold cruel murder on Abigail."
D. "Do you men have afflicted children?"
B. "Perhaps, that someone conjures you even now to say this."
Which quote best shows the condition of Salem at the end of the play?
A. (From outside a drumroll strikes the air. Parris is startled. Elizabeth jerks about toward the window.)
B. Parris. I tell you what is said here, sir. Andover have thrown out the court, they say, and will have no part of witchcraft. There be a faction here, feeding on that news, and I tell you true, sir, I fear there will be riot here.
C. Hale. Excellency, there are orphans wandering from house to house; abandoned cattle bellow on the highroads, the stink of rotting crops hangs everywhere.
D. Herrick (pulling her to the door). That’s not Satan, just a poor old cow with a hatful of milk. Come along now, out with you!
C. Hale. Excellency, there are orphans wandering from house to house; abandoned cattle bellow on the highroads, the stink of rotting crops hangs everywhere.
How do you pronounce "Aye"?
Eye/I
Who a hero?
Who is a villain?
Hero: John Proctor
Villain: Abigail Williams/Judge Danforth
Tituba: I don’t compact with no Devil!
Parris: You will confess yourself or I will take you out and whip you to your death, Tituba!
Putnam: This woman must be hanged! She must be taken and hanged!
Tituba: (terrified, falls to her knees). No, no, don’t hang Tituba! I tell him I don’t desire to work for him, sir.
What is Tituba's Primary motivation in this scene?To confess to witchcraft so she is not hurt/killed.
Proctor: Spare me! You forget nothin’ and forgive nothin’. Learn charity, woman. I have gone tiptoe in this house all seven month since she is gone. I have not moved from there to there without I think to please you, and still an everlasting funeral marches round your heart. I cannot speak but I am doubted, every moment judged for lies, as though I come into a court when I come into this house! (2.81)
Paragraph 81 highlights what in Proctor and Elizabeth's relationship?
The rift that has appeared due to the affair.
What are the implications of John's words, "I am John Proctor! You will not use me!"
A. He won't change his name to make them happy.
B. He won't let them use him as an excuse to accuse more people.C. He won't let them use his house to hold meetings.
D. He won't let the court use him as proof that they were right about witchcraft.
D. He won't let the court use him as proof that they were right about witchcraft.
Goody
A title for women like Mrs. It is short for Goodwife.
Name 3 characters and one thing they do in the play.
Varies
Parris: Abigail, I have fought here three long years to bend these stiff-necked people to me, and now, just now when some good respect is rising for me in the parish, you compromise my very character. (1.61)
According to the dialogue above, what is Parris' primary motivation?
Parris is motivated by his reputation.
Proctor has admitied to the affair in court:
Hale. I believe him! (pointing at Abigail) This girl has always struck me false! She has—
(Abigail, with a weird, wild, chilling cry, screams up to the ceiling.)
Abigail. You will not! Begone! Begone, I say!
...
Abigail. Why—? (She gulps.) Why do you come, yellow bird?
What does this interaction tell us about Abigail's character.
Abigail is manipulative and will lie to help herself.
In act 3, what is Hale's internal conflict as Proctor and his friends present evidence to Danforth?
A. He worries about his own safety from the girls' accusations.
B. He sees that the has been a failure at removing witchcraft from Salem and regrets not coming to town earlier.
C. He begins to realize that the people who have been accused and sentenced so far could very well have been innocent.
D. He worries that his reputation will be ruined
C. He begins to realize that the people who have been accused and sentenced so far could very well have been innocent.
What does treachery mean?
betrayal of trust; deceptive action or nature.
How does puritanism effect the events of the play?
Varies
Danforth. Now hear me, and beguile yourselves no more. I will not receive a single plea for pardon or postponement. Them that will not confess will hang. Twelve are already executed; the names of these seven are given out, and the village expects to see them die this morning. Postponement now speaks a floundering on my part; reprieve or pardon must cast doubt upon the guilt of them that died till now.
What is Danforth's reason for continuing the trials?
Stopping them now would call into doubt all the convictions/death already carried out.
Elizabeth (quietly, factually). He were not hanged. He would not answer aye or nay to his indictment; for if he denied the charge they’d hang him surely, and auction out his property. So he stand mute, and died Christian under the law. And so his sons will have his farm. It is the law, for he could not be condemned a wizard without he answer the indictment, aye or nay.
What type of person is Giles Corey?
A stubborn, strong-willed man who will sacrifice himself for the sake for those close to him.
Elizabeth (to Hale). I cannot think the Devil may own a woman’s soul, Mr. Hale, when she keeps an upright way, as I have. I am a good woman, I know it; and if you believe I may do only good work in the world, and yet be secretly bound to Satan, then I must tell you, sir, I do not believe it.
Hale. But, woman, you do believe there are witches in—
Elizabeth. If you think that I am one, then I say there are none.
Based on the dialogue, explain what Elizbeth is thinking/feeling.
Elizabeth is thinking the the witch accusations are false.
What is Irony?
The contrast between what is expected to happen and what actually happens.
Who wrote the play?
A. John Steinbeck
B. Arthur Miller
C. Horace Walpole
D. Tennessee Williams
B. Arthur Miller
What was Abigail's plan to get Elizabeth arrested?
See saw Mary Warren sewing a poppet and putting a needle in the belly so Abigail stabs herself with a needle and says Elizabeth did in with her spirt. Basically Voodoo.
Danforth. We have thought it too convenient to be credited. However, if I should tell you now that I will let her be kept another month; and if she begin to show her natural signs, you shall have her living yet another year until she is delivered—what say you to that? (John Proctor is struck silent.) Come now. You say your only purpose is to save your wife. Good, then, she is saved at least this year, and a year is long. What say you, sir? It is done now. (In conflict, Proctor glances at Francis and Giles.) Will you drop this charge?
Proctor. I—I think I cannot.
What can be learned about Proctor's character from this interaction?
Proctor is loyal and helps others despite risk
Hale. Man, you will hang! You cannot!
Proctor (his eyes full of tears). I can. And there’s your first marvel, that I can. You have made your magic now, for now I do think I see some shred of goodness in John Proctor. Not enough to weave a banner with, but white enough to keep it from such dogs.
What internal change does Proctor's final line indicate?
Proctor accepts the his good traits and makes peace with his mistakes.
Which of this is an example of an allegory?
A. The pen is mightier than the sword.
B. The bacon sizzled in the pan.
C. The flowers danced in the breeze.
D. She was scrooge-like with her money.
A. The pen is mightier than the sword.