Literary Terms
What is retaliation?
hint: when you are doing this act what are you trying to gain.
Revenge
Who says, " More Weight" ?
hint: these are this person's last words
Giles Corey
Why does John Proctor rip up his warrant?
He would rather die for honesty than be freed for a lie
What does Parris say happened to Abigail?
She has stolen his money and run away
How much time has passed between the end of act 3 and act 4?
almost 3 months
What is adamant?
ex. She was adamant about not going to the party.
Stubborn
"Oh John -- God send his mercy on you!" Who said this?
Rebecca Nurse
What does Elizabeth think about John's decision?
She feels that he is at peace. He has found his goodness.
What does Parris say he has found in his door?
A Dagger
These animals are roaming the roads? why?
Cows; their owners have all been jailed
What does excommunication mean?
Hint: think in terms of the church.
banishment from the church
"How can I live without my name?
John Proctor
John Proctor says that there is only one thing keeping him from confessing. What is that one thing?
He won't confess out of spite.
What happens to Giles? and why?
He never confesses and names and is sentenced to death.
The climax of Act 4 occurs when?
Hint: this is the turning point (when the plot shifts) not the most "exciting" point of the story
Parris rips up his confession
What foreshadows that Proctor is going to be hanged?
When Elizabeth lies/ denies that she dismissed Abigail because of her relationship with John
"Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang! How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name!" What is the meaning of this quote? Who said it?
That John didn't want to disgrace his name because he only has one. He also said this because John didn't want to dishonor his fellow prisoners.
Initially, Proctor decides to confess because he is already THIS...
He is a sinner
Why does Danforth refuse to postpone the hangings?
It might look like he has wrongly executed innocent people.
What does Hale mean when he says to Elizabeth "cleave to no faith when faith brings blood"?
She owes no allegiance to a religion that is so unjust. She must convince John to confess even though she and Hale know he's lying.
What type of genre is this act?
tragedy
“What profit him to bleed? Shall the dust praise him? Shall the worms declare his truth? Go to him, take his shame away!” - Who said this and to who & what does it mean?
Hale speaking to Elizabeth; wanted to make Elizabeth change Proctors mind because it didn't matter if he was telling the truth or not Hale didn't want him to die.
What is ironic about John not wanting to write down his confession?
Hint: think about what the confession was and his reason behind it.
John doesn't want to ruin his reputation, but if that is the case why confess at all?
What can you infer is the reason for Danforth's fear of Andover?
Hint: think about what has happened in Andover.
He fears that the people of Salem will overthrow the courts.
What is ironic about Danforth's quote to John?
"I am not empowered to trade your life for a lie"
Danforth has been trading lives for lies the entire time.