Who's Messy?
This character is more concerned about his reputation than Betty’s condition at the beginning of the play.
Reverend Parris
What physical object is used as evidence against Elizabeth Proctor?
Why does Abigail want Elizabeth Proctor out of the way?
She wants John Proctor.
John Proctor forgets this commandment while being questioned about his Christianity.
Adultery
Which recurring concern motivates Parris, Abigail, and Proctor in different ways throughout the play?
Reputation
This character sends her daughter to Tituba hoping to communicate with her dead children.
Ann/Goody Putnam
What evidence does Mary provide that should explain why the poppet contains a needle?
She made it and inserted the needle herself.
Why is John initially reluctant to expose Abigail as a fraud?
He fears exposing their affair/damaging his reputation.
Why is Proctor forgetting that particular commandment ironic?
He committed adultery.
What happens to Salem once accusations become a way for people to settle personal conflicts?
Fear and vengeance begin controlling the community/court.
This character initially believes his education and expertise will allow him to accurately identify witchcraft.
Reverend Hale
Francis Nurse presents this to demonstrate the good reputations of Rebecca, Martha, and Elizabeth.
A petition/list of 91 names
Why does Elizabeth lie when Danforth asks about John's affair?
To protect John
Proctor repeatedly insists that Elizabeth cannot lie. What happens shortly afterward?
She lies about his affair.
Why is it so difficult for Danforth to admit that the girls may be lying?
It would mean admitting the court may have condemned innocent people.
This character refuses to reveal the name of the person who gave him information against Thomas Putnam.
Giles Corey
Why does Mary's inability to faint hurt her credibility even though it doesn't actually prove she lied?
The court treats her inability to recreate the behavior as evidence that the earlier behavior was genuine.
Why does Danforth particularly want John Proctor to confess in Act IV?
John is respected/influential, so his confession would strengthen the court's credibility.
Why is Elizabeth's lie especially tragic?
She lies to protect John's reputation, but John has already sacrificed that reputation by confessing.
Danforth essentially argues that people are either with the court or against it. What kind of faulty reasoning is this? (hint:the answer is a type of fallacy)
False dilemma
This character changes from supporting the investigations to openly denouncing the court.
Reverend Hale
What faulty assumption allows Danforth to argue that the court must rely upon the accusers?
He assumes the accusers/victims do not lie.
Why does John initially decide that he might as well confess even though the confession is false?
He already views himself as a sinner and does not initially believe dying will make him good.
Explain the irony when Danforth refuses to accept a confession if it is a lie.
The court has accepted lies and unreliable testimony throughout the trials.
What larger warning does Miller develop through Salem's destruction?
A society consumed by fear/paranoia can abandon reason and destroy itself.