Several changes are made to the screenplay. Discuss how these changes to the play a) impact the direction and movement of the plot; b) impact the motivation of a character. c) create a particular effect for a particular purpose.
You discussion requires you to create thesis statements to guide your ideas. You cannot write about everything, so pick a focus from what impacted you most effectively.
Assessment will follow the ELA provincial rubric for ideas, organization, language and mechanics.
You may include in your discussion the ideas of denying responsibility vs deliberate villainy and the supreme value of life. Some of the changes are listed below:
1.
The addition of the opening scene where we see the girls in the woods and discover that they are casting spells to make boys love them.
2.
Parris has suspicion of Abigail’s affair with Proctor.
3.
Parris goes down and does talk to his church people to tell them that he has invited
Hale, who has found witchcraft elsewhere.
4.
Abigail’s drinking of a charm to charm Proctor.
5.
The whole village witnesses Betty trying to fly.
6.
Proctor is seen reading to his children from the Bible. Elisabeth says goodbye to the children. The boys fight against the guards.
7.
We see Martha Corey and the Nurses leaving the church after Jacobs is accused.
8.
Proctor goes back to confront Abigail about her actions against Elizabeth. Abigail looks excited. He tells her to confess and never cry witchery again. She talks about being bitten on the breast by Elizabeth. Proctor physically throws her down. Abigail:
“Thank God I have the power to cleanse them. I am but God’s finger.” Proctor: “If she is condemned it will be the end of you.” Abigail’s next act is to appear stabbed in her stomach.
9.
Danforth and Judge Hathorne discuss the validity of the children’s accusations.
Hathorne shows doubt. Danforth says he will be just.
10.
Proctor brings Mary Warren before Danforth outside of the court, in another room.
How is this different than having this discussion in front of Abigail and the other girls in courts as it is in the play?

11.
Abigail and the other girls physically confront Mary Warren as she is crying in another building beside the court. Mary Warren runs to the courthouse.
12.
Danforth turns Abigail away when she accuses Hale’s wife of bewitching her.
Danforth says, “You are mistaken girl. You understand me?”
13.
Judge Samuel Hathorne: “This must end.” Danforth: “I shall not rest until every inch of this country belongs to God.”
14.
Abigail visits Proctor in his jail cell telling him she has bribed the guard and wants him to flee on ship with her. Abigail: “I never dreamed any of this for you. I wanted you is all. I have money, we could see tomorrow on the ocean. Will you not speak?”
Proctor responds, “We’ll meet in hell.”
15.
We see Proctor, Rebecca Nurse and Mary Easton hanged as they recite the Lord’s
Prayer. The word “amen” (meaning “so be it” or “so let it be done”) is not heard
(they’re all dead).
1.
Discuss the effectiveness of the setting and use of camera angles (perspective) in creating meaning.
2.
Discuss the possible meaning of the beam of light that shines against the wall behind
Elisabeth as she tells her lie in court.
3.
Discuss the impact of showing the first hangings and the pressing of Giles on the audience. These scenes are either discussed or imagined in the stage play.
4.
“He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him.” Discuss how you understand
Elisabeth’s final words. Consider the ideas of redemption and forgiveness in your response.

Play begins with high tension, rather than quiet calm.
“God’s never spoke in my ear.” Proctor
Abigail’s passion towards Proctor is show in depth.
“Danger in speaking loose spirits.”
The girls are brought together and questioned by Hale about their activities in the forest.
Abigail blames Tituba. “When did you compact with the Devil?” Upon being beaten, she
“confesses.” They push her, prod her with names of who she was with. She dramatizes her confession. Mass hysteria takes over.
At the moment of Abigail’s sense of power, Proctor tell here to confess and give it up.
“Thank God I have the power to cleanse this town. I am but God’s finger.” Followed by the scene of her being stabbed in the stomach.
Doubt shown in one judge… Not so much from the children. Shows Danforth in a more self serving light. “From the mouths of babes shall come the truth.” No courts can wait for saints.
“Theology is a fortress.” in response to the ten commandments.
“Cheever is going to hell.”