Lesson 6: Act 4
Duration of Days: 10
Lesson Objective
Students will be able to identify and explain the resolution of the central conflict in Act 4 and analyze how the act reinforces the play's major themes, such as integrity, justice, and the consequences of hysteria.
Students will be able to analyze the final moral decisions of key characters in Act 4 and evaluate how their experiences throughout the play have transformed them.
How do the characters' choices in Act 4 reveal their understanding of integrity and redemption?
How does Act 4 reinforce the play's major themes, such as integrity, justice, and the dangers of hysteria?
What is the significance of the final scene and its impact on the audience?
transformation (113)
trans·for·ma·tion noun
complete change from one state to another
The room’s transformation from a nursery to an office began with a fresh coat of paint.
excommunication (118)
ex·com·mu·ni·ca·tion noun
the act of banishing a member of a church from the communion of believers and the privileges of the church
His excommunication from the group was the result of several crimes committed during his leadership.
sufficient (118)
suf·fi·cient adjective
describing a quantity that can fulfill a need without being abundant; being enough
I am not too hungry, so this salad will be sufficient.
retaliation (119)
re·ta·li·a·tion noun
action taken in return for being hurt
When the frustrated man’s keyboard broke, he hit it in retaliation.
resolution (120)
res·o·lu·tion noun
determination
I made a resolution to get over my stage fright, then auditioned for the school play.
adamant (120)
ad·a·mant adjective
determined
He is adamant about what he wants to do.
climactic (122)
cli·mac·tic adjective
acting as an exciting and thrilling climax to a series of events.
The climactic scene had so much action that the entire movie theater shook from the sound.
tenderness (122)
ten·der·ness noun
warm compassionate feelings
The little boy showed such tenderness towards the dog that his parents thought he might have a future as a veterinarian.
indictment (125)
in·dict·ment noun
a formal accusation of a crime
After his indictment for fraud, the chief accountant tried to flee the country.
boundless (131)
bound·less adjective
unlimited; abundant
My love for you is boundless.
Dramatic Elements and Structure (RL.11-12.3; RL.11-12.5)
Textual Evidence (RL.11-12.1)
1-4
Textual Engagement:
Provide audio recordings of the act.
Offer simplified or abridged versions of key scenes.
Use paired reading or small group reading with discussion prompts.
Offer vocabulary lists with definitions and context.
Activity Differentiation:
Allow students to create visual representations of the prison setting or character emotions.
Facilitate role-playing of key scenes, focusing on emotional delivery.
Offer varied writing prompts (e.g., character journals, letter writing, analytical essays).
Provide structured discussion groups with assigned roles (e.g., facilitator, summarizer, character analyst).
Create a mock trial, and have students act out the final scenes.
Scaffolding:
Provide character analysis charts to track final transformations.
Offer sentence stems or graphic organizers for written responses.
Discuss the historical context of the prison system and the idea of confession.
Review key themes and motifs from previous acts.
Technology Integration:
Use online resources to research historical prison conditions.
Show clips from film adaptations of Act 4 for visual understanding.
Use online discussion forums for students to share interpretations.
Create digital character maps.
Think Questions