Character Motivation
What character is motivated by love and power during the trials?
Abigail Williams
Identify and explain two characterizations of Mary Warren in Act III.
Answers may vary.
What type of irony is present in the example?
Elizabeth, an honest women, lies to Judge Danforth about her husband's affair.
Situational irony
Communism was a dangerous, invisible enemy that caused people to become fearful and act recklessly.
The rumors of witch craft in the town of Salem caused people to accuse people without evidence.
What character feels persecuted by the people of Salem and wants to protect his power and authority?
Reverend Parris
Identify and explain two characterizations of John Proctor in Act III.
Answers may vary.
What type of irony is present in the example?
The audience knows Elizabeth lied about her pregnancy to save herself from a hanging, but the court feel skeptical and unsure of her claim.
Dramatic irony
Who does Judge Danforth believe is the source of truth in the trials?
Abigail Williams and the girls
During the hearings, people who defended the accused were themselves accused.
Defending someone accused of witchcraft automatically made you a witch.
What character is motivated by power and land ownership?
Identify and explain two characterizations of Elizabeth Proctor in Act III.
Answers may vary.
What type of irony is present in the example?
John Proctor feels enraged because the girls are lying about their proof of witchcraft, but Judge Danforth continues to believe them.
Dramatic irony
Explain the power structure of the trials and why said structure is problematic.
This creates an unfair and corrupt government system. The girls accuse women with no evidence and unjustly decide who dies.
During the McCarthy hearings, the simple naming of suspected Communists sympathizers was enough to taint their reputation.
The accusations of witchcraft ruined people's reputations, even the reputation's of the most honest of people.
Explain Reverend Hale's motivation in Act III.
Identify and explain two characterizations of Reverend Hale in Act III.
Answers may vary.
What type of irony is present in the example?
John Proctor confessed his affair with Abigail to the court, but Elizabeth does not know this.
Dramatic irony
"Hale: Excellency, I have signed seventy-two death warrants; I am a minister of the Lord, and I dare not take a life without there be a proof so immaculate no slightest qualm of conscience may doubt it."
"Hale: I have this morning signed away the soul of Rebecca Nurse, Your Honor! I'll not conceal it, my hand shakes yet as with a wound! I pray you, sir, this argument let lawyers present to you."
Why is Reverend Hale questioning Judge Danforth and the Courts?
Reverend Hale questions the proof used to condemn women in the trials because he suspects the girls are lying.
He also doubts Judge Danforth because holy, respected women like Rebecca Nurse are now accused. Especially for Rebecca, her involvement with the devil is highly unlikely and adds suspicion to the court system.
Senator McCarthy's power declined after launching the investigation of communism.
Explain John and Elizabeth Proctors' motivations in Act III.
John wants to uphold the truth and expose the corruption of Abigail Williams and the witch trials. Elizabeth wants to protect John's reputation and lies on his behalf.
Bonus: Because Elizabeth lies in court, what does this do to her reputation?
Identify and explain two characterizations of Judge Danforth in Act III.
Answers may vary.
What type of irony is present in the example?
Judge Danforth tells Giles Corey, "This is a court of law, Mister. I'll have no effrontery, [or ignorant or unnecessary behavior]" (Miller 1300).
Situational
"Danforth: Do you know who I am Mr. Nurse?... And you know that bear to four hundred are in the jails from Marblehead to Lynn, and upon my signature?... And seventy-two condemned to hang by that signature?"
"Danforth: Do you know, Mr. Proctor, that the entire contention of the state in these trials is that the voice of Heaven is speaking through the children?"
Why is Danforth skeptical of the evidence presented to the court?
Judge Danforth is a figure of authority and believes in his power and judgement. He believes he would never wrongly condemn someone.
Judge Danforth believes the girls are guided by God's word in their accusations. In the Puritan community, nothing is more important than religion; therefore, the girls cannot be lying.
Senator McCarthy was an official who followed a particular set of beliefs without wavering and could not admit his doubts. He insisted on persevering in the trials, even though the bad results outnumbered the good.
Reverend Parris and Reverend Hale refused to acknowledge their doubt of witchcraft in the town. Although Hale attempted to right the situation, Parris persevered in finding "witches."