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Name: Date:

The Crucible: Act Four Reading Guide

LOWER LEVEL: You should be able to answer all of these while you are reading.

  1. What is Reverend Hale advising the condemned to do?
  2. What does Reverend Parris reveal about his niece Abigail?
  3. What is the condition of Salem at this point?
  4. How does Andover differ from Salem?
  5. What does Reverend Parris want Danforth to do?
  6. What does Reverend Hale want Danforth to do?
  7. Why does Danforth refuse to postpone the hangings?
  8. What do Hale and Danforth request of Elizabeth Proctor?
  9. What happened to Giles Corey?
  10. After Proctor confesses, what does Danforth want him to do?
  11. What does Hale attribute Proctor’s willingness to hang to?
  12. What does Elizabeth attribute it to?

HIGHER LEVEL: Jot down some ideas; we will discuss these in class.

  1. Explain the differences between the previous hangings and those scheduled to occur (Rebecca Nurse and John Proctor).
  2. Why does Proctor finally decide to confess? How does he rationalize this decision?
  3. Explain the “proof” that Elizabeth has, demonstrating that her husband is a good man. How has she changed since we first met her?
  4. Explain, in your opinion, how this play parallels the McCarthy accusations during the Red Scare.

QUOTATIONS: Determine who said each of the following quotes, who it is being said to, as well as the circumstances under which the quote is being said, and why the quote is important.

  1. “My niece, sir, my niece, I believe she has vanished.”
  2. Who said this?
  3. Who were they talking to?
  4. Explain the context of the situation it is being used.
  5. Why is this quote important?
  1. “More weight.”
  1. Who said this?
  2. Who were they talking to?
  3. Explain the context of the situation it is being used.
  4. Why is this quote important?
  1. “Suspicion kissed you when I did.”
  1. Who said this?
  2. Who were they talking to?
  3. Explain the context of the situation it is being used.
  4. Why is this quote important?
  1. “I have given you my soul; leave me my name!”
  1. Who said this?
  2. Who were they talking to?
  3. Explain the context of the situation it is being used.
  4. Why is this quote important?
  1. “And there’s your first marvel, that I can. You have made your magic now for I do think I see some shred of goodness in John Proctor.”
  1. Who said this?
  2. Who were they talking to?
  3. Explain the context of the situation it is being used.
  1. Why is this quote important?
  1. “He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him!”
  1. Who said this?
  2. Who were they talking to?
  3. Explain the context of the situation it is being used.
  4. Why is this quote important?