Crucible Act 3

What does Abigail say about Mary Warren's testimony? Why does she lie?

Abigail says that Mary's deposition is a lie; she is trying to protect herself.

How does Danforth confuse Mary Warren? What does Abigail do to befuddle Mary?

Danforth and Abigail are almost working together to "break" Mary. Abigail pretends to be afflicted by Mary, while Danforth takes it seriously and hammers Mary with questions.

How do Danforth and Hathorne attempt to get Proctor to drop the charge that Mary Warren has lied? Why do they want him to do so? Why does Proctor refuse?

Danforth and Hathorne are attempting to get Proctor to drop the charge that Mary Warren has lied by telling Proctor his wife is pregnant. They say if she is truly pregnant, they will keep her alive for at least a year. They want him to drop the charge because if what Mary Warren is saying is true, then these reputable judges will look like absolute fools. Essentially, they are terrified of the evidence they are all trying to provide because they are worried about their own reputations, even though hundreds of lives are at stake. Proctor refuses to drop the charge because his friend's (Giles and Francis) wives are going to hang. He is still concerned about everyone else in the jails/about to hang.

How does Danforth equate the court with the church?

Danforth claims that the law is based on the bible, and the bible was written by God; therefore, the law is acting on God's rule/intentions.

What is the significance of the point made by Danforth that "no uncorrupted man may fear this court"? Is this true? How does this point tie the court and the church together?

Danforth is saying that people who are innocent do not need to be afraid of coming into court. This is ironic since so many people in the jails/about to hang are indeed innocent and uncorrupted. Abigail, the corrupt one, is the one being held up as a saint. The judges are already starting to seem corrupt as well. Danforth insinuates that innocent, uncorrupted people are good Christians.

Define dramatic irony and provide an example of dramatic irony from Act III.

Dramatic Irony - There is a contradiction between what a character thinks and what the audience knows to be true. Examples will vary. Ex: People see Abby as a saint; we know that she is a vengeful, selfish, manipulative liar.

Why is Putnam brought into the court?

Giles accuses him of having his daughter claim that George Jacob is a wizard, so he can buy George Jacob's land. Giles knows someone who heard Thomas Putnam admit to this.

Why does Hale suggest that Proctor should have a lawyer? What does this tell us about Hale's feelings about the justice of the trial? Is this a change in his attitude? Why does Danforth refuse?

Hale is starting to mistrust the court. He sees how the judges are dismissing everything Proctor is saying, and he wants this evidence to be considered seriously. Yes, this is a change in his attitude. Danforth feels Hale is attacking his personal judgment and doesn't believe Proctor needs a lawyer if he is honest.

What evidence is there that Hale no longer believes in the testimony and crying out of the girls?

Hale tries to interject on behalf of John. Hale demands a lawyer be present, he states that Proctor has always struck him true and that Abigail has always struck him false, and then he even denounces the court and storms out.

What point does Hathorne make about Mary fainting? Why can't Mary faint on command?

Hathorne asks Mary to faint in court because she can't if she could faint in court (while pretending), she should be able to pretend to faint now as well. Mary can't handle the pressure. She is not strong and she is terrified by Abigail. It is all too much for her to handle.

What is the significance of the behind the scenes discussion between Hathorne, Danforth, Martha Corey, and Giles Corey? (What do we learn from it?/What is going on?)

Hathorne, and Danforth are questioning Martha Corey. Giles Corey, who is guilt stricken over being the cause of his wife's arrest, rushes in to try to save his wife. He is claiming he has new evidence for the court.

What role does Parris play during the testimony? Why does he lie about the dancing in the woods?

He attempts to undermine John Proctor and keep the judges from paying any attention to his evidence. He doesn't want to discredit the girls (his daughter/his niece), or make himself look like a bad minister. Just as the judges are worried about their own reputations more than anything else, so is Parris. He is literally sweating bullets during this act.

Why is Giles accused of contempt of court?

He will not give up the name of the person who told him about Putnam. (He knows it will cause imprisonment or death for that person. He is already guilty enough about Martha.)

What secret does Proctor reveal about himself and Abigail? Why does he reveal it?

John reveals that he had an affair with Abigail. He reveals that information so the court will stop regarding Abigail as a saint. (he wants to prove she is nothing but a vengeful "*****")

What is contained in Mary Warren's deposition? Why are the other children who have cried out brought in?

Mary Warren claims the girls are lying/pretending. The girls are brought in to respond to Mary Warren's testimony. They are given a chance to admit to pretending or to refute her claim.

How do Proctor, Francis, and Giles plan to use Mary Warren's testimony to prove that "Heaven is NOT speaking through the children?"

Mary Warren tells the court that she was pretending to be afflicted. She then states that all of the children are just pretending.

Why does Elizabeth deny John's relationship with Abigail? What is the result of her denial?

She is trying to protect John. Adultery is highly punishable in the Puritan community. The judges now have a fair reason to discredit/ignore all John has told them.

What is the significance of Proctor plowing on Sunday?

Sunday is the day of rest. It shows that Proctor is not keeping the Sabbath day holy, and implies that Proctor is not a good Christian.

What is the setting of Act III?

The Salem Court House

Why are Proctor, Francis, and Giles repeatedly accused of attacking the court?

The court does not want to consider the fact that the girls are lying. They make this accusation in order to dismiss what these men are trying to do.

What do the girls do to convince others that Mary Warren is lying? How do their actions further befuddle Mary? What does Mary do as a result of their actions?

The girls pretend they are being afflicted by Mary Warren (icy wind, being "possessed" in a way - the girls are repeating Mary constantly, being tormented by Mary's spirit in the form of a bird). Mary eventually claims that John Proctor has forced her lie about the girls, tried to get her to sign the Devil's book, and does indeed want to overthrow the court.

Define verbal irony. How is Abigail's quote on page 1307 that begins with "I have been hurt, Mr. Danforth..." an example of verbal irony?

Verbal Irony - A character says one thing but means something quite different. Abby is the one hurting others. Also, she is saying she has been hurt by witches for trying to rid Salem of the Devil, but she could possibly mean that she's been hurt in another manner (by the lies of people of Salem, by John not wanting her anymore, by Elizabeth kicking her out, etc.)