Name: ____________________________________
Period: _____
Date: _____________________
English 3
The Crucible by Arthur Miller
ACT 3
Directions:
Answer the questions below as you read The Crucible. The questions are listed in the order
they appear in the text. Decide in your table group how you will split the questions.
1. What is the setting of Act 3? Who is being interrogated (questioned) when the act opens?
2. Who are the judges? How does Miller describe them?
3. Describe Giles Corey’s reactions to his wife’s arrest and questioning. Why is he so upset?
4. What is Parris’ warning as John Proctor enters the court? Why would he say this?
5. Does Mary Warren follow through with Proctor’s demand in court? How does Judge Danforth respond?
6. What news does Danforth present to Proctor about Elizabeth? Why doesn’t Proctor drop his charge?
7. What role is Parris playing as this scene unfolds? Why is he working against Proctor?
8. Giles Corey refuses to share the name of a man who gave him important information. Why does he
refuse? How does this loyalty contrast with that of other characters in the play?
9. How has Hale’s response to the situation changed? What role is now he playing in the court?
10. Whose death warrant has Hale signed? Do you think this has had anything to do with his change of
heart?
11. Whom does Judge Danforth summon to the court? Why?
12. How does Abigail respond to Mary’s confession? What does this reinforce about her character?
13. What does Parris lie about? Why would he change his story?
14. What does Judge Hathorne ask Mary Warren to do? Why is she not able to do it?
15. How does Abigail respond when Danforth continues to press her with questions regarding the truth of
her claims?
16. What does Proctor confess to the court? Why does he do this?
17. How does Judge Danforth plan to settle the discrepancy? Describe the outcome of Danforth’s
questioning of Elizabeth.
18. What does Abigail claim she sees after Elizabeth is taken away? Whom does she assert has sent out her
spirit in the form of this figure?
19. Why does Mary Warren change her role in the court proceedings? Who pressures her to change her
mind? What accusation does she make against John Proctor?
20. What opinion does Rev. Hale maintain at the end of the act? What has changed him?
21. Make a prediction about what will happen in Act 4. What will come of John Proctor? Abigail? Rebecca
Nurse and Martha Corey?
Act 3 Significant Moments
Find a significant moment about power, Abigail’s character, and a theme of your choice.
Significant moment (with page number)
Explanation