The Crucible Act 3 Study Guide

Characters Involved

• Judge Hathorne: Presides over Salem witch trials alongside Deputy Governor Danforth, emphasizing authority.
• Deputy Governor Danforth: Head judge of the trials, perceives himself as fair-minded, vital to court proceedings.

Key Events and Accusations

• Giles Corey's Accusation: Claims Thomas Putnam is killing neighbors to acquire their land, highlighting the corrupt motives behind some accusations in the trials.
• Rebecca Nurse's Condemnation: Accused of witchcraft and sentenced to hang, representing the indiscriminate nature of the accusations.

Proctor's Struggles

• John Proctor's Accusation: Accused by Rev. Parris of attempting to overthrow the court, illustrating the paranoia of the time.
• Evidence Against Proctor: His infrequent church attendance and farming on Sundays are cited as indicators of his bad Christian character.

Personal Circumstances

• Elizabeth Proctor's Situation: Danforth reveals she is pregnant and will be safe from execution for a year if Proctor remains silent, showing the manipulation of personal dilemmas in court.

Consequences of Testimonies

• Arrest of 91 Individuals: Those who signed a testament of goodwill for Elizabeth, Martha Corey, and Rebecca Nurse face interrogation, indicating the oppressive nature of the trials.
• Abigail's Actions: Claims Mary Warren is sending her spirit out as a yellow bird to deflect suspicion, illustrating her manipulative behavior to maintain power.

Ironic Moments

• Dilemma of "Do that which is good": Ironically, doing good (like Mary's truth) leads to harm, while lying (like Abigail's deceit) ensures safety.
• Mary Warren's Inability to Faint: Unable to perform the act of fainting when needed to save herself, contrasting her earlier pretenses.

Conflict and Betrayal

• John Proctor’s Confession: Admits to adultery to discredit Abigail, demonstrating his moral struggle and the high personal cost of the trials.
• Elizabeth’s Lie: Called to support Proctor, she lies about the affair, ironically condemning him rather than helping, showcasing the tragic consequences of the trials.

Reactions and Realizations

• Rev. Hale's Reaction: Declares Abigail false; her immediate act of pretending to be attacked by a bird reflects the ongoing chaos in the courtroom.
• Proctor's Desperation: Exclaims "God is dead!" as a metaphor for the moral decay in Salem, capturing the despair and loss of faith.

Court Proceedings and Outcomes

• Giles Corey's Fate: Arrested for contempt of court, ultimately pressed to death, exemplifying the brutal nature of the trials.
• Hale's Resignation: Leaves the court upon Proctor's arrest, signifying a shift in his beliefs about the righteousness of the court.

Themes and Concepts

• Dramatic Irony: Audience is aware of truths that the characters, such as the innocence of the accused, do not know, enhancing the tension.
• Authority Challenges: Giles Corey's and Francis Nurse's arrests indicate the intolerance towards questioning the court's integrity and decisions.

Overall Implications

• The act reflects the destructive consequences of hysteria, paranoia, and the manipulation of personal grievances within the Salem witch trials.

Test your knowledge of Act 3 of Arthur Miller's play 'The Crucible' with this study guide. This quiz covers key characters, such as Judge Hathorne and Deputy Governor Danforth, and significant plot points including the accusations made by Giles Corey. Perfect for students preparing for exams or discussions.