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What explanation does Cheever give for Parris' "mad look"?
He thinks it is caused by the cows. In other words, the cows are left wandering since their
masters are in jail, and there is much contention in the town about ownership and the
whole political scene.
What did Abigail do?
Abigail stole money from Parris and disappeared, reportedly left on a ship.
Parris says, "You cannot hang this sort. There is danger for me." What "sort" does he mean, and what is the danger to him?
Because Proctor, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Martha and others were upstanding citizens,
generally respected in the community (as opposed to Sarah Good who was a beggar
woman), people were truly doubtful of their connections with the devil. Since Parris was
so involved with the prosecution of these individuals, he was beginning to get threats on
his life.
Explain Danforth's reason that a pardon would not be just.
If he had pardoned the remaining accused, the people who had been hanged would have
died in vain, unjustly. Rather than admit that the court could have been wrong and
therefore admit the others may have been hanged unjustly, he thought it better to continue
hanging people so all accused would get the same treatment from the court. His logic was
peculiar to say the least.
Why has Hale come back to Salem?
Hale has come back to Salem to encourage the accused to confess and save their lives
(whether they are guilty or not).
What does Hale want Elizabeth to do?
Hale wants Elizabeth to convince Proctor to confess.
What happened to Giles?
He was pressed to death during the questioning.
Proctor says, "My honesty is broke, Elizabeth, I am no good man." Explain
At this point, he has decided to confess even though he is not guilty. He is telling a lie to
save his own life. That in itself takes away his goodness, his honesty. Besides the fact that
lying is a sin, he has broken the code of a man's life. Even non-religious people recognize
the importance of honesty to one's character. He has broken this code; he is a sinner, he is
a failure as a man.
What "confession" did Elizabeth make to John?
She tells him that after much thought, she feels she is also responsible for his affair with
Abigail. She thinks if she had been a better, warmer wife, he would not have been
inclined to place his affections elsewhere.
What did Proctor do after he signed the confession? Why?
he tells him that after much thought, she feels she is also responsible for his affair with
Abigail. She thinks if she had been a better, warmer wife, he would not have been
inclined to place his affections elsewhere.
"I have given you my soul; leave me my name!" Explain.
By confessing, Proctor has ruined himself, given up his goodness. His hopes for eternal
salvation have been destroyed. Since he shall remain alive on the earth for some time to
come, he at least wants to have his good name so his life here will still be good. If he has
to suffer eternally, the least they can do is to let his remaining years on earth be bearable.
"He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him!" What does Elizabeth mean?
Since Proctor refused to make his confession public, the authorities have decided it will
not be accepted. He will hang as if he had not confessed. Proctor regains his goodness by
accepting his death by hanging rather than becoming an accomplice to the misguided
authorities and by holding to the truth that he was not in partnership with the devil. If she
were to convince Proctor to give a public confession (and thereby save his life),
Elizabeth would put him back in the situation where his goodness would be lost. Then,
the loss of his soul would be at least partly her fault. Besides not wanting that
responsibility, she recognized the importance of Proctor's eternal well-being and wished
that for him over her own desires.
Why is Parris worried for his safety in the fourth act?
he found a dagger at his door
What does Proctor not have to do to confess?
demonstrate his ability to do witchcraft
Proctor says they're pulling down heaven and raising up what?
a *****
Who accuses Proctor of witchcraft?
Mary Warren
What does Abigail say is a "deadly sin"?
jealously
What is Goody Nurse's fate?
she is hanged
What is Giles Corey's fate?
he is pressed
What is John Proctor's fate?
he is hanged
What is Elizabeth's fate?
she is acquitted
What is Tituba's fate?
she confesses
What is Abigail's fate?
she runs away
Why are cows milling the streets?
because their owners are in jail
Who is Hathorne?
the judge
Who is Danforth?
the deputy govenor
How is Reverend Hale different from Reverend Parris?
he is a scholar
Who does Corey accuse of land-grabbing
Putnam
Who does Mercy Lewis work for?
The Putnams
Who does Mary Warren work for?
The Proctors
Why is Mrs. Corey arrested?
for reading books
Why does Elizabeth lie to the court?
to save herself
What evidence does Giles Corey offer to the court?
Putnam is telling Mercy who to accuse
What is the petition that Proctor and Corey bring to the court?
Citizens attesting to Elizabeth and Martha's good character
Why does Mary Warren tell the court about the girls' pretense?
Because Proctor threatened her
Which thing didn't the girls do in the woods?
perform voodoo
What does Reverend Hale believe about witchcraft?
That they must use scientific methods to identify it
Who made Elizabeth's poppet?
Mary Warren
What did Abigail accuse Elizabeth of?
Stabbing her in the stomach with a needle
Which commandment did Proctor forget?
adultery
What are Giles Corey's last words?
more weight
What does Elizabeth say John finally has at the end of the play?
his goodness
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