Act 1
This person suspiciously falls into a coma when her father catches her in the forest
Betty Parris
This person fakes a pregnancy to avoid being hanged
Goody (Sarah) Good
Martha Corey
This person who confessed to witchcraft in Act 1 is still in jail in Act 4
Tituba
For each quote, explain who said it and why it's significant.
"We cannot look to superstition in this. The Devil is precise" (Miller, 1.1.1149).
Reverend Hale, shows that he wants to find the proper evidence before jumping to conclusions.
This person questions his wife's reading of suspicious books to Reverend Hale
Giles Corey
This person questions the Christian character of the Proctors and asks them to prove their faith.
Reverend Hale
Though this person admitted to seeing the girls naked in the forest, he denies it in this act, casting doubt on his trustworthiness
Reverend Parris
Who steals money and then disappears after Act 3? Why is this important?
Abigail, shows that she fears the town will turn on her
For each quote, explain who said it and why it's significant.
"More weight" (4.1.1227)
Giles Corey, shows that he died an honest man.
This person is coerced into confession when threatened with beating or hanging
Tituba
This well-respected person is shockingly arrested for witchcraft, much to everyone's dismay
Rebecca Nurse
When pressured, this person betrays the Proctors in court by going along with Abigail's acting
Mary Warren
What is Parris's MAIN motivation for postponing the hangings?
He fears the town will turn on him when well-respected people die
For each quote, explain who said it and why it's significant.
“Now Hell and Heaven grapple on our backs, and all our old pretense is ripped away” (Miller, 2.1.1181)
John Proctor, when he realizes that he will need to go to court to testify against Abigail
Servant to the Putnams who runs naked through the woods and ultimately runs away
Mercy Lewis
Mary Warren makes it as a gift for Elizabeth Proctor. Abigail sees Mary making it and uses it to accuse Elizabeth of witchcraft.
Though this person initially believed that the court was doing the right thing, they publicly denounce the hearings and quit the court.
Reverend Hale
Why does Reverend Hale return to Salem after leaving for some time?
He wants to convince people to confess to witchcraft and save themselves, as he feels guilty for their sentences
Explain the quote, who said it, and why it's significant.
“Excellency, since I come to Salem this man is blackening my name” (Miller, 3.1.1203).
Reverend Parris, shows that he thinks everyone is his enemy
Describe the environment in Salem BEFORE the witch trials started. How did the environment contribute to the hysteria of the trials?
Strict Puritan beliefs, fear of the unknown, always in each other's business
Name a character who changes throughout Act Two and describe how and why.
Answers will vary
Describe an example of irony from Act Three and explain its significance
Answers will vary
Describe Proctor's confession. How is it significant?
He agrees to confess to save himself and signs his name to his confession, but then he rips it up when Danforth wants to hang it on the church door
Explain the quote, who said it, and why it's significant.
“He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him” (Miller, 4.1.1233).
Elizabeth Proctor, final line of the show, she accepts John's forgiveness, even though it means he will die.