Question

Why does Mary Warren change her testimony throughout Act Three? What might have happened to her if she had stayed with her original story? Give textual evidence to support your response.
What is John Proctor’s testimony in court?

Why does Elizabeth lie in court? Does this decision help or hurt the Proctor’s case? Give textual evidence to support your response.

Explain the actions of the young girls in the courthouse.

What is Danforth’s eventual decision at the end of Act Three?

Why does Reverend John Hale denounce the court and quit the proceedings at the end of Act Three? What does this say about his beliefs and thoughts about everything that is happening in Salem? Give textual evidence to support your response.

Hysteria and peer pressure are two very powerful phenomenons. How are these two things related and how do they influence people in negative ways? Explain your rationale.

Answer 1

.It's difficult to judge Mary Warren too harshly. She is young and easily manipulated. She does go along with Abigail's schemes but I tend to think this to be more out of fear than anything else. By the end of the play it would seem that Mary warren was developing a sense of justice. She testifies, despite being terrified of Abigail, that much of the girls' stories were in fact lies. She also stated that the doll was given to Elizabeth by her and the needle in its abdomen was placed by her. It seems like Mary had found some courage. At the orders of Abigail, the girls put on a performance while accusing Mary of casting spells. Mary finds herself in a dangerous position and recants her testimony. Instead she claims John Proctor made her lie. So had Mary changed? I think she did but she crumbles under the pressure. By the end of the play she must have been an emotional wreck, coming so close to doing the right thing but failing in the end. I don't think it would have made much difference if Mary had testified. The court needed to find witches to justify its own existence. 2 Elizabeth has been named as a witch and was arrested. Proctor knows the girls have made this up and brings Mary to testify about what really happened. Mary, however, is psychologically fragile and it is easy for Abigail to manipulate her in court. 3 When they're alone, Proctor tells Mary she will testify against Abigail in court tomorrow. Mary says that Abigail will charge Proctor with lechery (excessive and indulgent sexual behavior) if he tries to reveal her lies. Proctor says only that then he and Abigail will "slide into their pit together." Terrified, Mary sobs that she can't testify. 4. Mary Warren returns to the Proctor house. Proctor is furious that she has been in Salem all day, but Mary Warren tells him she will be gone every day because she is an official of the court. Mary Warren gives Elizabeth a poppet that she made while in court. Mary Warren tells Elizabeth and Proctor that thirty-nine people are in jail, and Goody Osburn will hang because she did not confess to witchcraft. Proctor becomes angry because he believes the court is condemning people without solid evidence. Mary Warren states that Elizabeth was accused, but she defended Elizabeth and the court dismissed the accusation.

Elizabeth tells Proctor that Abigail wants to get rid of her. Elizabeth believes that Abigail will accuse her of witchcraft and then have her executed. Elizabeth realizes that Abigail wants to take her place as Proctor's wife. Elizabeth asks Proctor to speak to Abigail and tell her that no chance exists of Proctor marrying her if something happened to Elizabeth. Elizabeth and Proctor argue again.