Themes
What theme from the story does this quote from John Proctor represent?
"The little crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom, and common vengeance writes the law!" (73)
Hysteria
Describe what the poppets in the house (pages 69-75) are a symbol of.
Manipulation and Innocence
Name the two objects that Ezekiel Cheever uses as "evidence" against Elizabeth?
A poppet and a needle
"There be no mark of blame upon my life, Mr. Hale. I am a covenanted Christian woman."
Elizabeth
Why does Mary Warren not want to go to court and charge murder on Abigail?
She is afraid that Abigail will kill her if she says these words. She is also afraid that she'll charge lechery on John Proctor.
What theme of the story does this quote from John Proctor represent?
"We are what we always were, but naked now." (76)
Reputation
Describe what the chains (page 74) may be a symbol of.
Oppression/Injustice
What two characters enter the scene to tell John Proctor that their wives have been taken and jailed?
Giles Corey and Francis Nurse
"Theology, sir, is a fortress; no crack in a fortress may be accounted small."
Reverend Hale
Explain why John Proctor didn't baptize his third son.
He didn't want Reverend Parris to "lay his hands" upon his child; he sees "no light of God" in him.
What theme is represented by this quote from Reverend Hale?
"Theology, sir, is a fortress; no crack in a fortress may be accounted small" (64)
Authority/Corruption
Reverend Parris's obsession with the golden candlesticks, as described by John Proctor on page 62, serve as a symbol of what?
Greed and Corruption in Religion
What is Rebecca Nurse charged with?
"And why not, if they must hang for denyin' it? There are them that will swear to anything before they'll hang; have you never thought of that?"
John Proctor
Ezekiel Cheever is more focused more on doing this instead of questioning the morality of the accusations.
Accusing Elizabeth due to "evidence" like the poppet and the needle
In 30 seconds, find a quote from near the end of the section that represents the theme of Justice vs. Vengeance.
Answers vary
Example:
Elizabeth: And [Abigail] charges me?
Hale: Aye.
Elizabeth: Why---! The girl is murder! She must be ripped out of the world!
(72)
"We are only what we always were, but naked now" (76).
The motif of Good vs. Evil highlighted in this quote appears as a symbolic contrast between what?
Truths and lies/purity and corruption
What is John Proctor asked to do at the beginning of the section by Reverend Hale, leaving him nervous?
Recite the Commandments
"You know yourself I must do as I'm told. You surely know that, Giles. And I'd as lief you'd not be sending me to Hell. I like not the sound of it, I tell you; I like not the sound of it."
Ezekiel Cheever
How does John Proctor respond to the rumors he hears from Reverend Hale that he has no belief in witches?
He denies the rumors and instead highlights that the Bible speaks of witches, so he will not deny them.
In 30 seconds, find a quote from the end of the section that represents the theme of Guilt and Integrity.
Answers vary
Example:
"My wife will never die for me! I will bring your guts into your mouth but that goodness will not die for me!" (76)
The recurring motif of accusations and confessions serves what purpose in the section? Identify an example from the text.
Answers may vary.
Example:
Mary Warren's fear of Abigail shows how accusations perpetuate the cycle of fear and betrayal. (pages 75-76)
Describe Walcott's charge on Martha Corey.
Walcott bought a pig from Martha Corey which died four weeks after the purchase. He went to court accusing Martha of bewitching the pigs with her books, causing them to die.
"In God's name, John, I cannot help myself. I must chain them all. Now let you keep inside this house till I am gone!"
Marshal Herrick
Describe Elizabeth's views on the Devil in which she shares with Reverend Hale.
She does not think the Devil can own a woman's soul. She says she has only done good work in the world, so she doesn't believe in the Devil
OR
She says: "If you think that I am one, then I say there are none."