Question

6)
a. did mary warren know how the poppet she gave elizabeth would be used? explain.

b. were mary warren and abigail williams working together against elizabeth proctor? support your argument with evidence from the text.

7)
a. what evidence supports proctors statement that \vengeance is walking salem\?

b. how significant is this observation in light of millers message about the mccarthy era?

8)
a. what do statements made by cheever and herrick suggest will happen to elizabeth?

b. what chance will elizabeth have to prove her innocence?

Explanation:

6a.

Mary Warren did not know the poppet would be used to frame Elizabeth. She made the poppet in court out of boredom, gave it to Elizabeth as a harmless gift, and is shocked when the needle is found inside it, realizing Abigail has manipulated the situation.

6b.

Mary Warren and Abigail Williams were not working together. Mary is intimidated by Abigail and the other girls; she initially defends Elizabeth but caves under Abigail's false accusations of being attacked by Mary's "spirit." Abigail acts alone to target Elizabeth out of jealousy, and Mary is an unwitting pawn, not a collaborator.

7a.

Evidence includes: citizens accusing neighbors to seize land (e.g., the Putnams accusing others to gain their property); petty grudges leading to false witchcraft claims (e.g., Mrs. Putnam accusing Rebecca Nurse out of grief over her dead infants); and Abigail accusing Elizabeth to take John Proctor for herself. All these are acts of personal vengeance masked as witch-hunting.

7b.

This observation is central to Miller's message about the McCarthy era. Miller draws a direct parallel: Salem's vengeful false accusations mirror the McCarthy-era "witch hunts" where people were falsely accused of being communists to settle scores, advance careers, or suppress dissent. It highlights how fear and vengeance can corrupt a society's justice system and destroy innocent lives.

8a.

Cheever and Herrick's statements suggest Elizabeth will be arrested and put on trial for witchcraft. Cheever seizes the poppet as evidence of witchcraft, and Herrick, as the marshal, arrives to take her into custody, indicating she will face formal charges.

8b.

Elizabeth has very little chance to prove her innocence. The Salem court prioritizes spectral evidence and the girls' dramatic accusations over factual proof. Any defense she offers will be dismissed as witchcraft trickery, and the court's biased, hysterical atmosphere makes it nearly impossible to present a credible case for her innocence.

Answer:

6a. No, Mary Warren did not know. She gave the poppet as a harmless gift and was shocked by Abigail's manipulation of it.
6b. No, they were not working together. Mary was an intimidated pawn, while Abigail acted alone out of jealousy, with Mary caving only under Abigail's false attacks.
7a. Evidence includes land-grabbing via accusations (Putnams), petty grudges leading to claims (Mrs. Putnam vs. Rebecca Nurse), and Abigail's jealousy-driven accusation of Elizabeth.
7b. This observation is highly significant: it directly parallels McCarthy-era vengeance-fueled false accusations, reinforcing Miller's critique of fear-mongering and unjust persecution.
8a. Cheever and Herrick's actions and statements suggest Elizabeth will be arrested and tried for witchcraft.
8b. Elizabeth has almost no chance to prove her innocence, as the Salem court prioritizes spectral evidence and biased, hysterical accusations over factual proof.