Name _________________________________________________Date _____________

ELA 11 R

Discussion Questions for Act III of The Crucible

1. Why do Giles and Francis want to talk to Danforth?

2. How can you compare and contrast Danforth and Judge Hathorne?

Compare:

Contrast:

3. What does Mary tell Danforth?

4. “…a person is either with this court or he must be counted against it, there be no road between.” Explain the significance of Danforth’s statement.

5. How does Reverend Hale change during Act III? Do you believe he is a dynamic or static character?

6. Hathorne thinks of a test for Mary? What is it? Can she do it? Why or why not?

7. What does Proctor say about Abigail? What does Elizabeth say in return?

8. What do the girls do to Mary? What is her response?

9. Imagine that Elizabeth Proctor had told Danforth the truth. How might the outcome of the witchcraft hysteria have been different?

10. Which qualities of a good judge do you think are lacking in Hathorne and Danforth?

11. How is Proctor an example of an individual who went up against authority? What do you think will be the outcome of the rebellion?

Name _________________________________________________Date _____________

ELA 11 R

Discussion Questions for Act IV of The Crucible

1. What might have motivated Abigail to leave Salem?

2. How does Parris exhibit his self-centeredness when he relates the news of Abigail’s disappearance to Hathorne and Danforth?

3. What happened to Giles?

4. Proctor says, “My honesty is broke, Elizabeth, I am no good man.” Explain.

5. What “confession” did Elizabeth make to John?

6. What did Proctor do after he signed the confession? Why?

7. “I have given you my soul; leave me my name!” Explain what Proctor means by this.

8. “He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him!” What does Elizabeth mean?

9. Describe Elizabeth and John’s relationship now. Do you think the color of their relationship has changed from Act II?

10. Do you think John Proctor made the right decision? Why or why not?

11. Could a tragedy like the Salem witchcraft trials occur today? Explain.