tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255179786041877153.post696071158966979934..comments2013-04-24T14:46:48.608-06:00Comments on Say Something...(Period 2): Act 4 Discussion ThreadJessie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01711523852272478418noreply@blogger.comBlogger79125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255179786041877153.post-39804349147665728452012-10-12T08:18:20.801-06:002012-10-12T08:18:20.801-06:001. I believe that Abby is the one to blame because...1. I believe that Abby is the one to blame because she used the power to her advantage and corrupted the court of young women. She imposed power into the young women and then on they held the power of the city. A strong example of this is in Act 2 on page 58 when Mary Warren stands up to Proctor and is yelling about the court, "She never knew no commandments, and they had her in a flat lie!" I also think this leads to the towns hysteria because the court is powerful and if they don't like that person, then they can just pull their crazy act and that person is gone. But it can go either way. It can be said that the one person is to blame(Abby) or its the town's fault because they went crazy and didn't challenge the jury's evidence.<br />2. In this act I think Proctor was the most outspoken in his emotions because he stood his ground and didn’t give in to be safe. So he stayed in jail to keep his honor and died a good man.<br />3. Proctor was the most judged in this act because of how he remained in jail and didn just admit so he was safe. He kept his truth and did not lie and the others wondered why he did that.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255179786041877153.post-1074129655274970162012-10-09T20:54:36.720-06:002012-10-09T20:54:36.720-06:001. I think that in this society children are consi...1. I think that in this society children are considered pure beings and even if the evidence is obvious, they will refuse to accuse children for fear that it is the wrong thing to do and they will be punished by God for doing it.<br /><br />2. The part of this act that evoked most emotion was when they sent Elizabeth Proctor into John Proctor's holding cell to change his mind and make him confess to witchcraft and at first he was hesitant, but then finally decided to keep his life and confess to witchcraft.<br /><br />3. Individual judgement played a big part in this act because people had to decide for themselves whether they wanted to confess to witchcraft in order to save their own lives or if they wanted to keep their reputations clean and risk their lives.<br /><br />Q. Why do you think Elizabeth Proctor didn't plead John Proctor to save his life? Because in the act, she just let him decide for himself. Do you think John Proctor's past has affected their marriage? Tyler Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00969080370865646525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255179786041877153.post-54203194417867609122012-10-09T20:47:25.836-06:002012-10-09T20:47:25.836-06:00I feel as though people are so quick to judge beca...I feel as though people are so quick to judge because they fear that if they don't find an answer quickly that it will spread and cause even bigger problems. For example when they start to bring witchcraft as their excuse for all these weird occurrences they then assume that it was Rebecca Nurse who had killed the Putnam children through witchcraft, so they then killed Rebecca Nurse so that she could do no more harm to anyone else. <br /><br /><br />Do you think that if they had today's knowledge of witchcraft, that they would have acted the same, or do you think that the situation would change? If so, how? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255179786041877153.post-8194181346319631482012-10-09T20:41:02.391-06:002012-10-09T20:41:02.391-06:00I feel as though the situation would have been mor...I feel as though the situation would have been more realistic, and more factual based than believing that kids are incapable of lying so they had to be telling the truth. I feel that a lot more people would have not lost their lives. <br /><br />Do you think that more people would have sold out if the charges were not based on witchcraft? <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255179786041877153.post-42841207786961426422012-10-09T20:35:03.937-06:002012-10-09T20:35:03.937-06:001. I feel as though you can not point a finger at ...1. I feel as though you can not point a finger at any one person, I feel as though it is the entire community that is to blame. Although it is started by the girls in act one with Betty laying there pretending to be be-witched, I feel that it is everyone’s fault because they naively believed these girls and went and carried out actions resulting in death to these several teenage girls lies. <br />2. What spoke to me most was when John Proctor was talking to his wife Elizabeth. He was pleading with her to forgive him, but she kept saying “I am not your judge, I can not be. Do as you will, do as you will!” I found it odd that she would not say if she would forgive him or not, but that it is not her place to judge him. Was it that she could not bring herself to forgive him, or was it that she already had? What is her reasoning for not giving him a strait answer? <br />3. Individual judgment plays a role in this act through John Proctor. Proctor has his confession written out, and he even signs it, but he refuses to let them post it in public out of fear of loosing his name. Proctor asks “How may I teach them to walk like men in the world, and I sold my friends?” Here Proctor is passing down judgment on himself saying that he would be hypocritical if he were to let them post this on the church doors. He then tears the paper up so that he will hang, which I feel is how he judges himself. I feel as though he judged himself unworthy of redemption, and unworthy of life. This has a major effect on act four because it shows how arguably the most important man in the play has his end and how the entire fever soon comes to a halt because of people like John Proctor who chose to not sell out and decided that it was more important to die a good man than to live a fraud. <br /> Q. Why do you think that it was impossible for the judges to realize whether they were children or not, that they lied? Even after Marry Warren confess that she lies in act three?<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255179786041877153.post-74048326620367865452012-10-09T20:29:55.484-06:002012-10-09T20:29:55.484-06:00For some people, a good reputation and a clean nam...For some people, a good reputation and a clean name was their life, if their name was soiled and/or their reputation was ripped to shreads, people felt like they were living a lie because they weren't the pure person they used to be.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255179786041877153.post-90018328878628874722012-10-09T20:28:05.406-06:002012-10-09T20:28:05.406-06:00Proctor realizes that it is a lie to confess to wi...Proctor realizes that it is a lie to confess to witchcraft, but h also realizes that it is his only hope to save his life. Really the only people in this story that made mistakes were the judges and the girls because they wrongly accused and sentenced innocent people to their deaths because they were speaking the truth.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255179786041877153.post-29705655413048651432012-10-09T20:22:18.117-06:002012-10-09T20:22:18.117-06:001. I believe Abigail is to blame because she point...1. I believe Abigail is to blame because she pointed the first finger at Tituba, and from there the accusations spiraled out of control as more and more people started playing the blame game. Had she and the girls confessed to what they were actually doing in the woods instead of blaming others for bewitching them, my guess is that almost all, if not all, of those innocent lives would have been saved.<br />2. This act, i thought, was very moving. When Elizabeth was brought in to try to persuade John Proctor to confess, it was very touching how they still cared about each other even after all the madness and the both of them being accused. I also thought that the ending was almost cruel, having Proctor confess his innocence, even though he knew it was a lie and he wished to not lie, and then when he tries to save his name in the town by refusing to sign the confession and have it posted, I thought it was cruel how they hung him for not publicly confessing. <br />3. Individual judgement seems to play a role when Danforth starts to question Proctor during his confession, he presses Proctor, in my opinion, for more of a detailed story than a simple confession of witchcraft. On page 141, Proctor says: I cannot judge another. i have no tongue for it. In return Hale says: Excellency, it is enough he confess himself. Let him sign it, let him sign it. At this point, it seems like Danforth and Hathorne are just doing all the last-minute-confession stuff as a public “entertainment,” it seems like Hale and Parris are the only ones who want to put a stop to the nonsense.<br /><br />How do you think this story would have played out had the word “witchcraft” not been floating around the town? <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255179786041877153.post-71505677641857006652012-10-09T20:20:25.766-06:002012-10-09T20:20:25.766-06:00In my opinion, Abigail is to blame for almost ever...In my opinion, Abigail is to blame for almost everything that happened in Salem because she is the one who was almost conducting the girls on what to do the girls followed her almost like puppies. Abigail is also to blame because she was a person who would tell lies to get out of trouble and did it so well most of the time that people actually believed her. The people of Salem's actions can probably be blamed on cultural hysteria because of the fact that people were so strongly wrapped up in the fact that if you did anything wrong you would basically go to hell and there would be no way to fix your sins. And that probably led way to the cultural hysteria because they were so embedded in their beliefs.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255179786041877153.post-42555042991446522042012-10-09T20:08:28.179-06:002012-10-09T20:08:28.179-06:00I don't believe that this event could happen i...I don't believe that this event could happen in modern day. For one the justice system is much more advanced. Also i think that people are, for the most part, not as religious so there wouldn't be as much constant fear of going to hell. This fear is what in the play drives all of the victims to not confess and not lie. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255179786041877153.post-8482036681585520142012-10-09T20:02:42.085-06:002012-10-09T20:02:42.085-06:00I agree about the part when Proctor refused to giv...I agree about the part when Proctor refused to give Danforth his confession. Its shoking how far he goes to protect his name. Do you think this scenario would be a lot different in modern times, do you think the importance of ones name is not as important?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255179786041877153.post-54795987274414308612012-10-09T19:56:17.545-06:002012-10-09T19:56:17.545-06:001) Abigail is the obvious person to blame for the ...1) Abigail is the obvious person to blame for the start of the hysteria. We know that Abigail is jealous of Elizabeth Proctor. She manipulates her friends to try to basically curse Elizabeth by doing a kind of ritual dancing in the woods. Once they get caught instead of taking the blame she tells all of her friends to say that they were possessed and that is where all the hysteria comes from. Although I do think the start of it is all because of Abigail, I also don’t think that the people of Salem don’t share the blame. I understand that it was a different time and religion was more important back in there time; however it is terrible that they disregard common sense just because of their religious beliefs. So I think it is Abigail who started it all but the people of Salem let the hysteria grow because of their overly religious lifestyle.<br />2) The thing that really spoke to me was when John finally changed his mind. “His breast heaving, his eyes staring, Proctor tears the paper and crumples it, and he is weeping in fury, but erect.” This really spoke to me because it makes the reader look at John in a new light. The action in this quote to me is what makes John essentially the hero of this book.<br />3) Individual judgment plays a huge role in this act because it is why John changes his mind. The judgment of both Rebecca and his wife affect the way he sees himself and it drives him to change his mind about his confession. Individual judgment is important to the people of this act because they seem to judge themselves only to see if they are damned to hell or if they will go to heaven. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255179786041877153.post-56802293916922073742012-10-09T19:55:51.549-06:002012-10-09T19:55:51.549-06:002. I loved the part when Mrs. Proctor said that. “...2. I loved the part when Mrs. Proctor said that. “I have confessed myself!" (page 142). Even when John admits to his affair with Abigail, Mrs. Proctor still cares enough for him even though she is torn apart inside. It shows how caring and loving she is in the worst possible occasions. I do not think I could personally say this to my husband who cheated on me. John does not deserve the caring that she has given to him. <br /><br />Is it good to push people away after they did a BIG mistake or should we forgive and forget? Which is more healthy for us in the long run? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255179786041877153.post-49255404135861850652012-10-09T19:50:23.450-06:002012-10-09T19:50:23.450-06:001. I agree that we should not completely blame the...1. I agree that we should not completely blame the people of Salem because they did not know what else to do. However, they should have looked more into the subject before killing some of the innocent victims. <br /><br />Why are people so quick to judge? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255179786041877153.post-64228252604483859322012-10-09T19:45:24.898-06:002012-10-09T19:45:24.898-06:001. In my opinion, I believe that everyone is Salem...1. In my opinion, I believe that everyone is Salem is to blame. From the beginning, I think every death that was completed was due to Abigail Williams; but it also was the court's fault. If Abigail Williams had just admitted the witchcraft act in the firt place, no death would have occured. In Act 3 on page 115 Mary exclaims, “They’re pretending, Mr. Danforth!” Abigail Williams would use this excuse as much as possible. But then again, if the court did not take the case so harshly, then death would not have been an option. However, on page 100 when Danforth says, “Therefore, who may possibly be witness to it? The witch and the victim. None other. Now we cannot hope the witch will accuse herself; granted? Therefore, we must rely upon her victims...” This proves that either way, someone will get hurt/die. Everyone just took a little situation and turned it into a much larger deal than what was necessary. In conclusion, the people of Salem's actions are excused by their cultural hysteria. <br /><br />2. As I read act four, the theme of reputation comes back into my mind again. With Proctor, he says on page 142, “I have confessed myself! Is there no good penitence but it be public? God does not need my name nailed upon the church! God sees my name; God knows how black my sins are! It is enough!" We see with this quote that Proctor has confessed his wrongdoing. He is very aware that what he did was wrong, but he is still too cautious of his reputation.<br /><br />3. (Referring to the quote from number 2, on page 142 again.) In act 4, individual judgement plays a large role through Proctor. Proctor would LITERALLY rather die than have a bad reputation throughout the town. Therefore, he chose death over having his story hung on the church doors. <br /><br />Does Proctor know what he does is wrong or is he too worries about reputation at this point of the story? Do we learn from our mistakes or continue to do them without anyone knowing? Is it worth risking your life over one mistake? <br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255179786041877153.post-44365148267413017242012-10-09T19:40:39.677-06:002012-10-09T19:40:39.677-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255179786041877153.post-28596040041585504522012-10-09T18:54:25.693-06:002012-10-09T18:54:25.693-06:00I believe Danforth had the power of individual jud...I believe Danforth had the power of individual judgement determining who lives and who dies but I think the accused also had individual judgement. Danforth had control over it all but ultimately if you confesses you were free so the people had their own individual judgement. Proctor at the end of the book says, "I speak my own sins; I cannot judge another." pg 141 which shows that he believes he can only judge his own sins. He cannot point out the sins of others when he has his own. Individual Judgement in Proctors situation is good.<br /><br />Should one man be able to determine life or death? What makes Danforth qualified? Is the individual judgement by the court what causes the hysteria in Salem?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255179786041877153.post-51288349715507517132012-10-09T18:43:06.224-06:002012-10-09T18:43:06.224-06:00Britt- I agree that you the only way to get off cl...Britt- I agree that you the only way to get off clean was to throw someone else under the bus and say you saw them with the devil. The entire court system in Salem is wrong because they have no proof for anything. If you dislike someone you can easily accuse them and potentially have them hung. The justice in Salem simply is not fair. One man has the final choice and that is Danforth. "I will not receive a single plea for pardon or postponement.... I should hang ten thousand that dared to rise against the law." Says Danforth pg 129. He has complete power and if you do not confess your hung which is not fair.<br /><br />Is confession the best way to determine guilt? Is the poor justice system part of the cause of hysteria in Salem?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255179786041877153.post-80422241557286783872012-10-09T18:42:01.650-06:002012-10-09T18:42:01.650-06:00I think it would have been better for Proctor to g...I think it would have been better for Proctor to go along with the confession because then he could have lived and maybe been able to see and raise another child in his life.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255179786041877153.post-67875792300081541822012-10-09T18:39:57.346-06:002012-10-09T18:39:57.346-06:00@Rachel I think the trials could have been prevent...@Rachel I think the trials could have been prevented by the town not freaking out and making illogical assumptions to what was happening to the girls. Also i believe that if they didnt happen we would not have any of the witch hunts that have been present in our society.<br /><br />How many witch hunts have happened between the salem witch trials and today?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255179786041877153.post-11669979215186466712012-10-09T18:37:09.649-06:002012-10-09T18:37:09.649-06:00@Rachel I think that the trials might not have eve...@Rachel I think that the trials might not have ever happened if the blaming did not happen cause thats what started the trials in the first place.<br /><br />Why did the court need to have Proctor sign the paper even though they heard him confess?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255179786041877153.post-25500362523117016832012-10-09T18:27:28.351-06:002012-10-09T18:27:28.351-06:001. I believe that Abigail Williams is the one to b...1. I believe that Abigail Williams is the one to blame. Abigail is the vehicle that drives the play. She bears most of the responsibility for the girls meeting with Tituba in the woods, and once Parris discovers them, she attempts to conceal her behavior because it will reveal her affair with Proctor if she confesses to casting a spell on Elizabeth Proctor. Abigail lies to conceal her affair, and to prevent charges of witchcraft. In order to avoid severe punishment for casting spells and adultery, not to mention attempted murder when she plots Elizabeth's death, Abigail shifts the focus away from herself by accusing others of witchcraft. This desperate act of self-preservation soon becomes Abigail's avenue of power. Abigail is always trying to blind the court to make everyone else look guilty and she is really the one causing all the problems. Yes I believe that cultural hysteria can be excused by the actions of people in Salem because all the characters try to blame everything on everyone especially Abigail. Also the characters try to tell the truth to the court then some characters try to lie to cover themselves up. The whole book is full of cultural hysteria<br />2. In the act Proctor was the one that evoked the most emotion when he signed the paper and confessed. On page on 143 Proctor said “tell them I confessed myself.) I feel that Proctor just doesn’t want to be involved in this situation anyone and finally decides to confess. I think that by confessing it takes the guilt away for him.<br />3. Individual judgment plays a very important part in this act. Danforth wants everyone to be hung that is being accused. He judges the characters that he would hang just because of simple actions or even if they said the wrong information to the court. Danforth clearly states that if you are judged then you will be hung. Danforth makes everyone in the village frightful for that they may be the ones to be hung just because of judgment. If people did this in today’s society then everyone would be hung because most of our society judges each other all the time just for very simple things that really don’t matter<br /><br />How do you think today’s judges would have acted during the Salem Witch trials? Would it be a lot more gruesome?<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255179786041877153.post-5176711303573574412012-10-09T18:04:18.746-06:002012-10-09T18:04:18.746-06:00I don't think anyone would give up their life ...I don't think anyone would give up their life just to keep their name clean because everyone in today's society will fight back even when they know they are wrong. Also rumors spread so quickly now a days that no one knows who to really believe. Plus I feel that it's natural for our society to start rumors about other people. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255179786041877153.post-36022130715416210082012-10-09T17:56:21.483-06:002012-10-09T17:56:21.483-06:00If something like the Salem witch trials happened ...If something like the Salem witch trials happened today, do you think we would still react the same way, even if we still had the history of the actual witch trials in our past?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7255179786041877153.post-27660347574081133402012-10-09T17:54:23.679-06:002012-10-09T17:54:23.679-06:00If the mother and the father of the child a witche...If the mother and the father of the child a witches wouldn't the child be a witch too or have evil or something in them?<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com