Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, Act III
Study Guide
p. 1068
What has Martha Corey been accused of at this point? What can you infer about the
town based on the change in what she’s being charged with?
Walcott accused her of bewitching him so that he could not keep a pig alive for more
than four weeks. Now she is accused of hurting children. This more serious charge is
a sign that the hysteria is growing in Salem, and the court is threatening the people
of the town.
p.1070
Hale and Parris now openly disagree, whereas they were once allies in their
investigation of witchcraft. How does this represent a new conflict in the play?
Hale is becoming increasingly skeptical and cautious, while Parris still promotes the
trial.
p.1071
Why is Parris so concerned about the deposition presented by Proctor?
Parris believes that he can advance his career if the trial goes well and that he can
get rid of the people who oppose him. He’s also worried about people finding out the
truth about his daughter and neice.
p. 1073
What can you infer about Parris’s state of mind based on the stage directions given
on this page?
He is worried, anxious, eager to gain favor and defeat Proctor’s appeal.
What might be Parris’s motive?
He is protecting his position. He called for this investigation and is worried that the
land-holding citizens will turn against him if the court releases the prisoners.
p.1077
Why has Proctor brought Mary Warren to court?
Proctor brings Mary in so that she can swear the girls were are pretending.
How does Mary Warren’s confession threaten Danforth, Parris and Hathorne?
They will all lose respect of the people if seen to have wrongly condemned people.
p.1080
What does Abigail do when Hales gives his opinion of her?
She pretends to see an evil spirit.
p.1081
Why does Proctor reveal his affair with Abigail?
He does this in order to save Elizabeth.
p.1082
Why does Elizabeth lie when she is asked for the reason she fired Abigail?
She is trying to save her husband’s name and his life.
p.1084
Why do you think Abigail makes Mary the focus of her attack now?
Abigail is repaying Mary for betraying her with the confession. She senses the Mary
is vulnerable. She wants to shift the focus of the argument from her sin with Proctor
back to the witchcraft.
p. 1086
Why does Mary reject the truth and turn against Proctor, condemning him?
She can’t resist the pressure from Abigail, and since she is friendless and weak, she
gives in.
p. 1087
What does Proctor mean when he says, “God is dead”?
He feels that God has disappeared with all goodness and all that’s left is Abigail’s
world of power, impulse and opportunism. Evil is triumphing over goodness.
By the end of Act III, who else has been arrested?
Elizabeth Proctor, Giles Corey and John Proctor
Why wouldn’t Danforth want to find out that the girls’ accusations are false?
If this happened, then he would be blamed for the deaths of many innocent people.
Who adds comic relief to the play? Provide two examples.
Giles Corey adds comic relief. One example is his constant pursuit of lawsuits.
Another is his complaints about his wife and neighbors. A third is when he says, “A
fart on Thomas Putnam.”
Why are the crimes of witchcraft considered “invisible” crimes?
The are considered “invisible” because there are no witnesses present at the crime
scenes, only the victim and the person allegedly committing the crime.