Name:

Date: ______________________ Class Period: _______

Trial Notes
The Crucible Act IV

Witchy Words:
Instructions: Locate the following vocabulary words in the play and write the sentence in which the word
appears. Be sure to include a parenthetical citation (Miller 24).
Prodigious: (adjective) extraordinary in size, amount, degree, or force

Example from Text:

Gaunt: (adjective) extremely thin and bony; haggard or drawn, as from great hunger, weariness, or
torture

Example from Text:

Indictment: (noun) a formal accusation initiating a criminal case

Example from Text:

Purge: (verb) to rid of whatever is impure or undesirable; to cleanse or purify

Example from Text:

Penitence: (adjective) regret for ones wrongdoing or sinning; repentance

Example from Text:

The Court Report:

Level One Questions: Answer in complete sentences.
1. What has recently happened in Andover that makes Parris so nervous?

2. What does Reverend Hale do that brings hope to the prisoners at the beginning of Act 4?

Beth Oualline - 2014

3. What does Elizabeth mean when she says that Giles died Christian under the law?

4. Explain what Elizabeth means at the end of the play when she says, He [Proctor] have his goodness now.
God forbid I take it from him!

The Final Verdict

Level Two/Three Questions: Circle ONE of the following questions and respond in a wellorganized paragraph (minimum of 8 meaningful sentences).
5. Explain how the Salem Witch Trials compares to the witch hunt of the 1950s. Be sure to discuss
McCarthyism and the HUAC Hearings.
6. The Crucible deals with two specific moments in history (the witch trials of 1692 and McCarthyism in the
1950s). Discuss another time in history where a group of people have been targeted and persecuted.
7. The Crucible presents the moral dilemma of John Proctor. As a character, he is torn between two different
choices (live and confess, or die and maintain his honor). What would you do if you were presented with
a similar moral dilemma? Would you lie to save your own life or sacrifice your life to maintain your
honor? Clearly explain your choice and provide specific reasoning to defend your personal decision.

Beth Oualline - 2014