1. Warm-Up Act III Discussion Homework
The Crucible, Act 111
Warm-Up
Act III Discussion
Homework

2. How does history shape literature?
WARM-UP:
Essential Question:
How does history shape literature?
Student Objectives:
Students will understand how a text is shaped by the historical context of a time period.
Students will demonstrate knowledge of early American Literature including how two or more texts from the same period treat similar themes or topics.
Students will understand how the structure of text impacts reader understanding.
Review your film questions from Thursday. Based on the girls’ reaction to Mary, make a prediction about how the court reacts to Proctor bringing Mary before them. Will his plan work? Why or Why not?

3. Act III: The Crisis or Turning Point
A choice made by the main characters determines the direction of the action
A happy ending = Comedy
Downward action= Tragedy
Most dramatic and intense moment
All the complications lead to this moment
Let’s see how Act III plays out!
Turning Point
Rising Action
Exposition

4. Act III: The Crisis or Turning Point
A choice made by the main characters determines the direction of the action
A happy ending = Comedy
Downward action= Tragedy
Most dramatic and intense moment
All the complications lead to this moment
John admits adultery BUT is let down by Elizabeth and Mary.
Turning Point
Rising Action
Exposition

5. Danforth and Hathorne
In this act, we see the helplessness of the innocent in the face of unjust legal authority
Danforth and Hathorne defiantly defend the position of the court. The court has its own twisted logic:
Martha Corey: I know not what a witch is.
Hathorne: How do you know then, that you are not a witch?

6. The court Danforth asks for a plea in writing
Proctor presents petition
Corey accuses Putnam of trying to get land
“No, no I accept no depositions”
Danforth orders all 91 arrested
Corey can't name witness for fear he'll be arrested. Corey is arrested.

7. Proctor
Why does he not take Danforth's offer of a year's freedom for his wife?
At the beginning of the act Proctor tries extremely hard to stay calm:
“I have no love for Mr Parris...But God I surely love.”
However later in the act he is enraged and desperate
“How do you call Heaven! Whore! Whore!”

8. Abigail
She and the other girls know that the court believes them. They keep lying.
She stands up to Danforth's questioning
She stays silent while others argue
She is able to make Danforth “'weaken' by questioning him: “To be mistrusted, denied, questioned?”
Then she and the other girls pretend that Mary is casting a spell on them

9. Proctor Proctor confesses “I have known her”
“it is a whore's vengeance”
But again Abigail stands up to Danforth
Elizabeth is summoned to prove Proctor's confession.

10. Elizabeth Proctor
When the judges suggest she may be lying about her pregnancy he says, “That woman will never lie”.
He has faith in her morals.
However this means she will not accuse her husband of the crime of lechery.
But then realizes what a mistake she has made.

11. Writing Prompt
In at least a paragraph, respond to the following prompt: Thus far in the text, which character has changed the most? Explain your answer using textual evidence to support your claim.

12. Homework
Read Act IV

13. Warm-Up Text Quiz Act IV Homework
The Crucible, Act 1v
Warm-Up
Text Quiz
Act IV
Homework

14. How does history shape literature?
WARM-UP:
Essential Question:
How does history shape literature?
Student Objectives:
Students will understand how a text is shaped by the historical context of a time period.
Students will demonstrate knowledge of early American Literature including how two or more texts from the same period treat similar themes or topics.
Students will understand how the structure of text impacts reader understanding.
Hale has again and again expressed his disapproval of the trials by the end of ACT III. What does this say about Hale’s character and the society of Salem at this time (think about why Hale was first invited to Salem).

15. Setting The scene begins in a cell
It is now the fall - months have passed
The act begins with a darkly humorous scene- Tituba and Sarah Good drunk and convinced they are going to Barbados
Again this relieves the tension

16. Salem is falling apart…
Look at Herrick in Acts Two and Three, can you see a contrast with now?
Parris “has a mad look these days”
Even the farms are deteriorating: “so many cows wandering the highroads”
In Andover there is a rebellion and they have “thrown out the court”
Danforth and Hathorne are increasingly insecure: “There is no rebellion in Andover”
06/11/06
Template copyright

17. ACT IV

18. Template copyright 2005 www.brainybetty.com
Danforth
“Why at every execution I have seen naught but high satisfaction in the town!” (pg111)
Parris talks of the different way that the town will react to the hanging of Rebecca Nurse: “many honest people will weep for them , and our good purpose is lost in tears”
06/11/06
Template copyright

19. Template copyright 2005 www.brainybetty.com
Danforth
By Danforth's logic it would be unfair to pardon seven for crimes that 12 have hanged for
He must protect his position and reputation; “Postponement now speaks a floundering on my part...While I speak God's law I will not crack its voice with whimpering”
Why is he jumpy and paranoid about rebellion?
06/11/06
Template copyright

20. Template copyright 2005 www.brainybetty.com
Hale
I come to do the Devil's work...There is blood on my head!
Hale is desperate to save Proctor
Look at the imagery he uses when speaking to Elizabeth: “I came into this village...”
He says “Life is God's most precious gift”
06/11/06
Template copyright

21. Template copyright 2005 www.brainybetty.com
Proctor
Miller stresses the love between John and Elizabeth when they meet
She tells him how Giles died. How?
John still feels guilty about the affair
Proctor decides “I want my life”
What difficult decision does Proctor have to make?
06/11/06
Template copyright

22. Template copyright 2005 www.brainybetty.com
Proctor
“Why must it be written?”
He does confess
He will not accuse Rebecca or Martha Why?
He signs the confession but then tears it up and denounces it: “I confess to God”
“How may I live without my name?”
Why is it so important for Proctor to preserve his good name, even at the cost of his life?
06/11/06
Template copyright

23. Template copyright 2005 www.brainybetty.com
Proctor's Sacrifice
In choosing not to confess, Proctor redeems himself after his affair with Abigail:
“You have made your magic now...I do think I see some shred of goodness in John Proctor...white enough to keep it from such dogs”
His last words are heroic and call for others to show the same strength
“...show a stony heart and sink them with it!”
06/11/06
Template copyright

24. Template copyright 2005 www.brainybetty.com
Final Words
Elizabeth speaks the final words:
“He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him!”
Proctor dies with a reputation as a good man
In Act II what does Elizabeth say about John’s goodness? How does this quote connect to her final words regarding John?
06/11/06
Template copyright

25. Review all your notes from the unit.
Homework