Act 1
Reverend Hale's reason for coming to Salem.
To determine whether or not there are witches in Salem
What consequences did those who confessed face vs those who did not?
Those who confessed: imprisoned (and later released).
Those who did not confess: Imprisoned and hanged.
Why will Giles not name his witness against Thomas Putnam?
He knows that this will lead to the witness being accused
Why does Parris suddenly fear for John Proctor and Rebecca Nurse's executions?
He received a threat via a dagger in his front door, leading him to fear the consequences that he would surely endure if the two innocents were killed.
"I have trouble enough without I come five mile to hear him preach only hellfire and bloody damnation."
John Proctor; he does not come to church anymore because Parris only preaches about sin and damnation instead of preaching about God
Abigail's reason for dancing in the woods (the real reason, not the reason she gives to her uncle)
To curse Goody Proctor
What does Giles tell Reverend Hale that eventually leads to Martha Corey being arrested for witchcraft?
She is reading mysterious books, and when she was reading, he couldn't remember his prayers
What goes wrong when John Proctor admits to his affair in court?
He insists that Elizabeth will tell the truth, but she ends up lying to protect John's reputation, leading to her continued imprisonment and ultimately John's arrest
Why does Reverend Hale return to Salem?
To convince the remaining accused to confess (lie) and save their lives.
“Until an hour before the Devil fell, God thought him beautiful in Heaven.”
Reverend Hale; even those seen as good can fall from God's grace
Name the 2 reasons Thomas Putnam pushes for an inquiry into witchcraft:
1. His daughter, Ruth, is currently ill with an unidentifiable illness.
2. He knows that those accused of witchcraft would lose their property, which he would then be able to buy.
How was Sarah Good "proven" to be a witch?
She failed to recite the 10 commandments in court
What do the girls claim to see when Mary Warren admits to lying?
Mary Warren's spirit sent out as a yellow bird that is trying to attack them.
What happened to Abigail and Mercy Lewis
Abigail stole her uncle's life savings, and the two caught a boat to flee Salem.
"The magistrate sits in your heart that judges you."
Elizabeth; John is his own judge, and her suspicion is not the only thing keeping them apart. (his guilt)
The first person investigated for witchcraft/devil's work
Tituba
Why did Mary Warren give Goody Proctor the poppet?
To make peace with Elizabeth after disobeying her orders to attend court
How does Hathorne decide to test Mary's testimony to faking her fits?
He asks her to pretend to faint as she once did in the courtroom
Why does Judge Danforth say he will not postpone the hangings of John Proctor and Rebecca Nurse?
* Bonus points if you can remember what he said he'd rather do!
It would cause the Salem townspeople to question the validity of the court and its proceedings throughout the witch trials; the court can never be seen as wrong
He would rather hang 10,000 more to prove the court is just than to admit the court may have been wrong.
"Excellency, it is a natural lie to tell; I beg you, stop now before another is condemned!"
Reverend Hale; he is trying to defend the lie Elizabeth told to protect her husband so the judges don't see it as a sign of guilt
Name the 2 out of 3 reasons the Putnams have conflict with the Nurses.
Bonus points if you can name all 3!
1. Politics: Putnam’s brother-in-law, James Bayley, was passed over for the position of minister in Salem, a rejection fueled by the Nurses, which Putnam viewed as a personal insult to his family's reputation.
2. Land/Wealth: The Putnam and Nurse families frequently clashed over boundaries, and the Nurses' success in building wealth and increasing their landholdings created envy in the greedy Putnam.
3. Family Loss: The Putnams have experienced the loss of 7 babies in childbirth, several of which were delivered by Rebecca Nurse. Additionally, Rebecca Nurse had managed to raise 8 children into adulthood.
What does Hale use as proof of good Christian character?
Name 3 out of 5 examples!
Recitation of the 10 Commandments
Refusing to work on the Sabbath
Attending Church
Parents baptize their children
Townspeople have respect for their minister
What was Abigail doing when she told Danforth,
"Think you be so mighty that the power of
Hell may not turn your wits? Beware of it!"
She is using her power of influence to threaten him (with accusing him of witchcraft)
Why does Elizabeth say of John, "He have his goodness now"?
He has self-respect now that he knows there is some goodness in him, despite his past sins.
"God damns our kind especially, and we will burn, we will burn together!"
John Proctor; he is telling Judge Danforth that they are no different (liars and manipulators)
Servant for the Putnams
Mercy Lewis
Name an example of irony from Act 2
John Proctor forgets the Commandment about adultery. (Situational/Dramatic)
The poppet, once a peace offering, is now the key piece of evidence that sends Elizabeth to jail. (Situational)
Mary Warren claims that Abigail is doing "Godly work" in the courts, when Abigail's actions actually violate several rules of Puritanism and go against the teachings of the Bible. (Verbal/Situational)
Reverend Hale trusts in the court (Dramatic)
Why is Parris so adamant about defending the trials and denouncing John Proctor?
He fears the retaliation that would inevitably follow if it is revealed that his and his niece's actions have led to innocent people being executed.
What changes Proctor's mind after he signs his confession?
Danforth says the signed confession will be hung on the church door, and Proctor refuses to publicly admit to a crime he did not commit, even if it means saving his life.
"But witchcraft is ipso facto, on its face and by its nature an invisible crime, is it not? Therefore, who may possibly be witness to it? The witch and the victim. None other."
Judge Danforth; he is telling John and Giles that the court has no choice but to believe the testimonies of the "victims" of witchcraft