Question

1. parris hopes that rebecca nurse and john proctor will confess because he believes that

a. confession will save their souls from damnation.
b. sparing their lives will prevent public rebellion.
c. their confessions will confirm the justice of all the trials and executions.
d. their confessions will strengthen the faith of doubting parishioners.

1. what is ironic about calling the confessions of witchcraft \coming to god\?

a. the confessions are made publicly, not in prayer.
b. the confessions are lies and therefore sins against god.
c. the confessions confirm that sins against god have been committed.
d. confession saves the confessor from death, thereby postponing the confessors \coming to god.\

1. why does hale want proctor to confess to witchcraft?

a. to save proctor from execution
b. to save others accused of witchcraft
c. to prevent public disorder
d. to allow proctors family to keep his property

1. which theme is reflected by proctors decision to tear up the confession?

a. personal honor determines the worth of ones self.
b. government authority can be resisted single - handedly.
c. forgiveness can be extended to the guilty as well as the innocent.
d. the variability of justice is an evil in itself.

1. proctors determination to preserve his good name speaks to the mccarthy era of the 1950s in that

a. fear of persecution caused many to keep silent.
b. laws were passed to prevent this kind of persecution.
c. the salem authorities act like communists.
d. reputations were ruined by irresponsible accusations.

1. after proctor is taken off to execution, parris urges elizabeth to go to her husband in order to

a. comfort him in his final moments.
b. try once more to persuade him to confess.
c. show that she believes the death sentence is just.
d. make a last appeal to the mercy of the judges.

1. which idea about the play is applicable today?

a. superstitions of colonial america are no longer an issue.
b. belief in the supernatural is ipso facto dangerous.
c. government is overly concerned with religious issues.
d. fear and suspicion can lead to perversions of justice.

Explanation:

1. Parris hopes for confessions to confirm the legitimacy of the trials. His main concern is to uphold the justice - like appearance of what has been happening.
2. Confessing to witchcraft as "coming to God" is ironic because the confessions are lies and thus sins against God.
3. Hale wants Proctor to confess to save him from execution as he has come to realize the injustice of the trials.
4. Proctor's decision to tear up the confession shows that he values his personal honor over saving his life.
5. Proctor's determination to preserve his good name is similar to how reputations were ruined by irresponsible accusations during the McCarthy era.
6. Parris urges Elizabeth to try to persuade Proctor to confess one more time.
7. The idea that fear and suspicion can lead to perversions of justice is applicable today as it shows how mob - like mentalities and unfounded accusations can lead to unfair outcomes.

Answer:

1. c. their confessions will confirm the justice of all the trials and executions.
2. b. The confessions are lies and therefore sins against God.
3. a. to save Proctor from execution
4. a. Personal honor determines the worth of one’s self.
5. d. reputations were ruined by irresponsible accusations.
6. b. try once more to persuade him to confess.
7. d. Fear and suspicion can lead to perversions of justice.