What is Reverend Hale doing at the jailhouse? What does Danforth’s reaction to Reverend Hale’s presence in the jail reveal about him? What is happening to the farms and animals in the town of Salem? Why do you think this is happening? What happened to Abigail and Mercy Lewis? What happened to the town of Andover? Why is Parris afraid of this news? What does Parris suggest to Danforth? Why does he make this suggestion? What other indications does Hale give that the town is falling apart?

8. What does Hale mean when he says, “There is blood on my head 8. What does Hale mean when he says, “There is blood on my head! Can you not see the blood on my head?” 9. Why does Danforth refuse to postpone the executions? 10. How much time ha passed since the trials first began? 11. How does Hale attempt to establish trust with Elizabeth? Analyze his success. 12. Hale and Danforth make several appeals to Elizabeth. Explain which one you feel is the strongest and why. 13. What does Elizabeth say happened to Giles Corey? 14. What has Proctor been contemplating doing? What is Elizabeth’s response to this?

15. Reverend Parris offers Proctor a cup of cider 15. Reverend Parris offers Proctor a cup of cider. What does this reveal about Reverend Parris? 16. What do Danforth and Parris plan to do with Proctor’s confession? 17. Why does Proctor refuse to sign the confession? 18. What does he do with his confession, and what happens to him as a result? 19. What does Parris mean when he says that Proctor’s name is “weighty?” 20. How does Rebecca’s refusal to sign a confession help reinforce what we already know about her character? 21. What is ironic about Elizabeth and John’s feelings towards each other as compared to the beginning of Act II?

22. How has the attitude of the people in Salem changed in Act Four 22. How has the attitude of the people in Salem changed in Act Four? Include an event that supports your answer. 23. What does Arthur Miller do to create a sense of resolution at the end of the play? 24. What does Elizabeth mean by: “He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him?” 25. What lessons do you think Arthur Miller wanted readers and audiences to learn from his play? What do you think are the most important themes of the play? 26. Do you think the story would have been as effective as a novel rather than a play? Why or why not? Why do you think Miller decided to tell the story of the Salem Witch Trials as a play rather than a novel?

27. In Act One, Abigail said, “There be no blush about my name 27. In Act One, Abigail said, “There be no blush about my name.” How do the events of this Act build on the theme of the importance of a name? 28. John Wooden, a legendary basketball coach wrote, “Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are. Connect this quote to John Proctor’s actions at the end of the play.