Characters
Deputy governor
Mr. Danforth
Why is Elizabeth Proctor arrested and taken to court?
A poppet was found in her home with a needle in her stomach. Abigail Williams was also found with a needle in her stomach and claimed that the spirit of Elizabeth Proctor put it there.
The girls also starting "seeing" the bird and following Abigail's lead. They began mimicking Mary Warren.
Relentless & cruel
What caused Elizabeth Proctor to lie in court about her husband's affair?
She was likely trying to protect him from punishment and she didn't know that he had confessed.
What does John's confession reveal about his character?
He is willing to sacrifice his good name within the community in order to save his wife. This shows that deep down he is a good man who does the right thing when it matters.
What was the yellow bird a symbol of (according to Abigail)?
Abigail believed that Mary Warren's demonic spirit became the bird.
What event causes Mary Warren change her confession and go back to supporting Abigail in Act III?
Abigail pretended to be attacked by a yellow bird.
a written statement made under oath in court.
affadavit
Why does Proctor suggest that Danforth should also be damned by God for his behavior and that they (Proctor and Danforth) should be "burned together"?
Proctor believes Danforth knows there is logical evidence that would exonerate Elizabeth, but he is choosing to look the other way.
How did Hale's character view John Proctor in Act III?
Hale believed John to be an honest man, even though he disagreed with some of his beliefs.
Danforth refers to the girls as children. How does this reflect his view of the girls?
How does Danforth react when Proctor presents him with signatures of support for Elizabeth's good character?
Danforth has all 91 people arrested and brought in for questioning.
Describe someone who reacts callously to a situation. This example does not have to come from the text.
Answers may vary. Example: A teacher tears up a student's paper and gives them a zero because the student did not write their name on the paper.
What motivated Hale to defend John Proctor in court?
Reverend Hale was dedicated to focusing on the truth and he believed John Proctor was telling the truth.
Describe Rev. Parris' behavior in court during Act III.
Reverend Parris frequently interrupted the court to personally attack people in order to keep the trial focused on supporting the accusations.
Why does Abigail focus on the bird in the courtroom?
She wants to keep the attention off of her. She wants to perpetuate the fraud in order to avoid being investigated for John Proctor's accusations.
What does Mr. Danforth mean when he says to Hale, "Mr. Hale, you surely do not doubt my justice"?
Mr. Danforth is questioning Hale's support of the way he runs the legal proceedings.
Which character in the story would you say is remorseless? Support your answer.
Answers may vary. Example: Danforth is remorseless because he doesn't feel any pity or mercy for the women who were accused of witchcraft, even when presented with strong character witness statements from the community.
Why did Reverend Hale "quit this court"?
Hale sees injustice in the way the court is only listening to one side of the case. He believes John Proctor is innocent and the court is being unreasonable.
What does John Proctor mean when, after announcing his adultery to the court, he tells Francis Nurse, "Oh Francis, I wish you had some evil in you that you might know me!"?
Answers may vary, but something along the lines of: Proctor wishes that Nurse had flaws so that he could understand that others can make mistakes.
Why did John Proctor bring Mary Warren to the court in Act III?
To save Elizabeth (his wife) from being unjustly punished/condemned.
When Hale questions the court's proceedings, why does Danforth take it so personally?
Danforth believes Hale's concerns reflect directly on him as an agent of the court. He feels that Hale is insulting him.
A word that means shameless, rude behavior (bold behavior)
effrontery
Why does Proctor confess his affair?
He wants to save his wife. By admitting his sin in court, he hopes to show Abigail's motivation for committing fraud.