Period A-1: Below are the answers to the end of the ACT 3 notes. I am doing this because you did not finish the notes, and we HAVE to get the test in Thursday.
- Abgail goes into her mode of “sometimes the best defense is a good offense”. She suggests to Danforth that the devil could even take him over, in order to deliver a low-key (veiled) threat that if he keeps questioning her, she will turn on him. She then turns the attention back on Mary by pretending to see evil spirits that she says is Mary, just as Mary predicted.
- When Abigail calls on God to help her in her lies, John Proctor breaks and is finally forced to confess their affair in court.
- Danforth reacts by demanding actual proof unlike all previous accusations. He further says to Agibail, “…may God spread his mercy on you” if this is true. This is DRAMATIC irony because Danforth hasn’t shown anyone any mercy so far and he himself is in desperate need of God’s mercy for all the wrong he is committing.
- John insults Abigail when he says that their affair took place “in the proper place – where my beasts are bedded”, meaning the barn – he’s calling her an animal.
- Danforth says they will now “touch the bottom of this swamp”. By this he means the murky, nasty, dirty truth of everything that is happening in Salem.
- Danforth laid the trap earlier for John and Elizabeth. He uses John’s statement about Elizabeth to put Elizabeth in an untenable situation. She must choose between lying (damning her soul) and saving her husband, or telling the truth and condemning him to death.
- Danforth orders Cheever to record EP’s testimony “in all exactness” because
- He is looking to protect himself from anyone who questions what has happened in the trials
- He knows Elizabeth is unlikely to condemn her husband to death
- He knows Elizabeth’s internal struggle as to whether to lie or tell the truth will not be recorded, just her answer of “NO”.
- Danforth orders JP, EP and Abigail to Look ONLY at him, nowhere else in order to prevent any kind of communication (verbal, body) to Elizabeth as to how she should answer. Remember, she doesn’t know John confessed.
- Why does Danforth specifically word is question to EP as “is John Proctor guilty of the crime of adultery”? To remind her that her husband’s life depends on her answer. He has her removed from the court immediately after she answers NO because:
- The court recorder stops recording what is being said as soon as she is dismissed
- She doesn’t get the chance to change her testimony once she knows John confessed
- Yellow bird’s significance: Abigail uses it to turn the attention back to Mary (off Abigail)
This benefits her because:
- She prevents any further questions about her affair
- Danforth had forbade her to leave earlier, and she uses this to escape the courtroom
- Once she is outside, she gains the support of the “mob” who still think she is saint-like
- Mary finally breaks and turns against John Proctor because:
- She fears Abigail and the girls who have turned against her
- She fears Danforth, who has been screaming at her in the courtroom
- She is weak – a follower – and really doesn’t see any other way to avoid hanging herself
Abigail is horrified rather than rejoicing over this because everything she has been doing has been to get John. Mary’s accusation against him means he will die and Abigail’s plans are for nought.
11. Main conflict JUST for this act:John Proctor vs. himself because YOU can figure this one out yourself! Be able to explain the conflict thoroughly.