"The Crucible" - Act 3 Questions and Notes

Note on Act 2
Proctor: “Pontius Pilate was the Roman administrator of Judea, responsible for the administration of law in that area, who refused to condemn Christ because he could find no wrong in Him. However, instead of freeing Christ, Pilate allowed the Jewish mob to determine his fate, leading to His crucifixion and death.
Is Proctor being fair or accurate in using this parallel? Elizabeth is like Christ in her innocence, but what of Reverend Hale? Is he like Pontius Pilate? Both men commanded positions of power, and Hale has signed seventy-two death warrants, but has Rev. Hale really the power to prevent anything? Has Proctor? Can any individual withstand the tide of hysteria in Salem?


ACT 3

I t is now a week later in the courtroom of Salem.
In this act the tragedy of John and Elizabeth is acted out. John is forced to admit his adultery, Elizabeth lies to save him, and Abigail triumphs, although she loses what she so desperately sought- the love and possession of John.

· This act also allows John and Elizabeth to find out what is really important to them. Explain and link to the problems in the community, showing how they have broken free.

· How does the court react to Giles’ claim that Putnam “is reaching out for land”?
· What does his comment “You’re hearing lies” do to the credulity of his own evidence?
· Find a quote that shows the hopelessness of arguing against convoluted (complicated/intricate) logic.

· Find a quote on page 96 that again shows Hale’s doubts.

· What is the reaction to Francis Nurse’s claim that “the girls are frauds”?

· Examine what Danforth says regarding the girls on page 71, and so what problems the accused are faced with in attempting to defend themselves.

· Comment on the quote “We burn a hot fire; it melts down all concealment.”

· Find parallels between Danforth’s questioning of John, “Are you a gospel Christian” and allegations voiced by the Reverend Hale.

· Why is it ironic that John states Elizabeth would never lie, in light of later events?

Reverend Hale now seems disturbed, whereas John Proctor is calm.
· Find evidence to back this up.

· Study the logic of Danforth’s argument, “Let you consider now.”
Is it possible that Mary Warren, the “subservient, naïve, lonely girl,” can now become the instrument of justice and truth?

The argument about the poppet adds a touch of the ridiculous to the proceedings.
· Find a quote by John that links in with this.
· Why can Mary Warren not faint now?
How do a) Danforth, and
b) Abigail respond to this?
Do you notice any similarities between Abigail’s behaviour now and in Act 1?

· Comment on the dramatic change in John Proctor form a controlled man to one who physically attacks Abigail.

· Why does Danforth so readily accept John’s claim of adultery? Quote as evidence.

· How does Miller create tension when Elizabeth is questioned?

· Why is Elizabeth’s final answer so ironic?

Hale states at this time that he cannot “shut [his] conscience” – indicating his anguish. He is now prepared to defend John and Elizabeth.
· How accurate do you consider Hale to be in his claim that “private vengeance” lies beneath the court’s charges?
· How does Abigail react at this point?
Her manipulation of this event shows the power and the far-reaching nature of hysteria.

· “A fire, a fire is burning! I hear the boot of Lucifer, I see his filthy face! And it is my face, and yours, Danforth!…God damns our kind especially, and we will burn, we will burn together!”
John gives a different interpretation of fire. He implies that Danforth’s fires are Lucifer’s and help to conceal falseness. This is a powerful condemnation but ironically it reflects the fraud in John’s own heart.

The fact that Hale quits the court and the proceedings helps to add weight to John’s words.