Ezra Kalmowitz
2nd Hour
Study Guide
1. Important Characters:
a. Most Important Characters:
i. John Proctor
1. Proctor is the main character of the drama. He is the obvious protagonist of the story.
2. He is, for the most part, a proud, honest and respected man. He hates hypocrites, but knows that he, too, is a flawed, and even hypocritical, person.
a. The commentary Miller writes in the drama describes Proctor as even-tempered and not easily led, and “in Proctor’s presence a fool felt his foolishness instantly.”
b. His main flaw that he sees in himself is his lust for Abigail Williams, which led to their affair.
i. His affair made him a sinner, “not only against the moral fashion of the time, but against his own vision of decent conduct.”
ii. …show more content…
Proctor realizes that he could stop the hysteria of the witch trials when they began by exposing Abigail and admitting to his affair.
a. However, he does not expose her or their affair at first, in order to protect his respectable reputation in Salem.
b. In Act III, he realizes that the witch trials are getting out of hand, and attempts to expose Abigail without admitting to their affair.
i. He tries to do this by having Mary Warren testify to Danforth and Hathorne that the girls accusing others of witchcraft were pretending all along. Therefore, he would prove that there were no witches in Salem.
1. This fails, as the Abigail and the other girls are brought in and pretend that Mary is bewitching them. Then, under pressure, and grasping that even the truth cannot save the accused now, Mary “confesses,” and calls Proctor the “devil’s man.” ii. When his attempt to expose Abigail with Mary Warren’s testimony fails, he finally confesses to his affair with Abigail, publically proclaiming his guilt.
1. This fails as well. Danforth summons Elizabeth, and asks if Proctor has “committed the crime of lechery.” Trying to protect his good name, she does not admit to it. Proctor is then arrested for lying to the court, and for
2nd Hour
Study Guide
1. Important Characters:
a. Most Important Characters:
i. John Proctor
1. Proctor is the main character of the drama. He is the obvious protagonist of the story.
2. He is, for the most part, a proud, honest and respected man. He hates hypocrites, but knows that he, too, is a flawed, and even hypocritical, person.
a. The commentary Miller writes in the drama describes Proctor as even-tempered and not easily led, and “in Proctor’s presence a fool felt his foolishness instantly.”
b. His main flaw that he sees in himself is his lust for Abigail Williams, which led to their affair.
i. His affair made him a sinner, “not only against the moral fashion of the time, but against his own vision of decent conduct.”
ii. …show more content…
Proctor realizes that he could stop the hysteria of the witch trials when they began by exposing Abigail and admitting to his affair.
a. However, he does not expose her or their affair at first, in order to protect his respectable reputation in Salem.
b. In Act III, he realizes that the witch trials are getting out of hand, and attempts to expose Abigail without admitting to their affair.
i. He tries to do this by having Mary Warren testify to Danforth and Hathorne that the girls accusing others of witchcraft were pretending all along. Therefore, he would prove that there were no witches in Salem.
1. This fails, as the Abigail and the other girls are brought in and pretend that Mary is bewitching them. Then, under pressure, and grasping that even the truth cannot save the accused now, Mary “confesses,” and calls Proctor the “devil’s man.” ii. When his attempt to expose Abigail with Mary Warren’s testimony fails, he finally confesses to his affair with Abigail, publically proclaiming his guilt.
1. This fails as well. Danforth summons Elizabeth, and asks if Proctor has “committed the crime of lechery.” Trying to protect his good name, she does not admit to it. Proctor is then arrested for lying to the court, and for