The Crucible Act 1 and 2 Test

Name some things that show Arthur Miller's success. (3)

- Death of Salesmen premiered on Broadway (Feb. 1949) -Won Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize for Drama. -Gained reputation as one of the greatest American Playwrights of his generation

What effect did the shutting down of the Federal Theater Project have on Miller? (4)

-Began working independently -Writing was so strong, he gained recognition -Built his own studio in CT -Wrote the first act in Death of a Salesmen in 1 day (completed in 6 weeks)

When and where was Arthur Miller born and to what type of family?

-Born in Manhattan in 1915 -Middle class Jewish family

What did he graduate with? What was named after him?

-Graduated with BA in English -Arthur Mill Award for Student writers

In what ways has Reverend Hale changed in Act 2? What do you think he was struggling with in his mind?

-He becomes unsure if their is a presence of the Devil in Salem. -In his mind, he was lacking evidence and Rebecca Nurse, a nice old lady was accused of witchcraft.

Describe Rev. Parris (4)

-Minister of Salem -Betty Parris's father -in his middle forties -very little good to be said about him

What is the source of conflict between Parris and Proctor? (2)

-Proctor had an affair with Abigail (Parris' niece) -Proctor fails to attend church regularly and fails to adhere to Puritan ritual.

In 1956, who was Arthur Miller questioned by and why?

-Questioned by House of UnAmerican Activities Committee. -Questioned because of his involvement with the American Communist Society.

At the beginning of Act 2, what was the source of tension in the Proctor household? Do you think Elizabeth's frustration was justifiable?

-Tension caused by the affair between John and Abigail. -She does have the right to be mad because the trust is broken and he keeps lying.

Where was Arthur Miller accepted to? What did he do to help pay tuition?

-University of Michigan -worked small jobs in Ann Arbor

Who is Rev. John Hale, and why does he come to Salem?

-a supposed expert in witchcraft -Parris requested that Hale come to Salem to investigate the witchcraft that may have afflicted his daughter.

How were The Crucible and McCarthyism alike? (4)

-accusations without evidence -accused and left with tarnished reputation -accused and used for someone else's gains -relied on mass hysteria.

What did he become for the school?

-became editor in chief of the school's newspaper called the "Michigan Daily"

Why do you think Sarah Good confessed to being a witch? How does this confession contribute to the hysteria?

-confessed to being a witch because it was either confession or die. -Everyone is accusing others of witchcraft

What did his father do for a living? Where did his family move? What eventually happened to his college fund?

-father owned a clothing store but then went out of business. -moved to Brooklyn -lost his fund

Why was Goody Osborne Killed?

-she mumbled -didn't know ten commandments

Describe Giles Corey's personality. Does he say anything questionable throughout the course of the first act? (4)

-strange but brave man -would rather die than confess to being involved in witchcraft. -doesn't confess to the charges of witchcraft nor does he deny them. -refuses to stand trial so he is pressed to death

What are the Putnam's motivations behind suggesting witchcraft is to blame for Betty's sickness? Thomas: Ann:

-wants to get Parris out of his job so his brother in law can take it. -could buy land once someone is killed or dies explanations for her children's death/someone to blame

Explain Elizabeth Proctors Arrest (5)

1. Mary sews Poppet doll 2. Abigail sits next to her during court 3. Mary gifts the poppet to Elizabeth 4. Abigail stabs herself with a needle 5. Cheever finds needle and poppet and thinks Elizabeth stabbed Abigail.

If John Proctor were to admit to the court that he had an affair, how do you think abigail would react?

Abigail would deny it because she needs to protect herself. She would also say that John Proctor is doing it in order to free his wife.

How does the setting change from Act 1 to Act 2?

Act 1: Parris Home Act 2: Proctor Home

How does Rev Hale change from Act 1 and Act 2

At the Proctor House, he tries to snoop around and ask questions. He is doing an independent investigation.

Who is being accused of committing witchcraft

Elizabeth Proctor, Martha Corey, Rebecca Nurse

Why is Parris so worried about the evidence of witchcraft being discovered in his own house?

He doesnt want to lose his job.

Do you think Mary Warren will expose Abigail Williams deceptions to the court?

I do not think that she will because Abigail is manipulative and deceptive.

What happened as a result of this?

Many of Miller's long time friends stopped speaking to him and his plays became less popular.

According to Proctor, what concerns Parris more than his duty to faith?

Proctor believed that Parris was more concerned about the money.

Ultimately, will Reverend Hale side with the accused or accusers?

Rev.Hale will side with the accused because he knows that everyone who is accused could never have committed the sin of witchcraft.

Why did Abigail bring Tituba and the other girls out to the forest on the night that Parris caught them dancing?

She could blame it on them and she wanted to kill Elizabeth Proctor.

Why was Abigail fired from her job?

She had an affair with her boss John Proctor

What does Rebecca Nurse think is wrong with the girls?

She thinks they are faking witchcraft to get attention. They are kids and scared and will be on to something else in a few days.

Why does Tituba confess to working with the Devil?

She would rather confess and be able to live rather than be killed.

Do you think the judges will continue to believe the girls' claims that witches exist in Salem? Why or why not?

The judges will side with the accusers because they will not want to ruin their reputations.

At the conclusion of Act Two, after his wife's arrest, John Proctor reflects that "we are only what we always were, but naked now". (76) What do you think he means by this?

The trials will show the truth. The truth will come out and show who each character really is.

harlot

a prostitute or promiscuous woman

contentious

argumentative

Why did the Federal Theater Project shut down?

assumptions that it had communist ideas in its shows/connections to the American Communist Party

effrontery

audacity

ipso facto

by the fact itself

plantiff

complaining party

daft

crazy

pretense

deception

revelation

disclosure

auger

drilling tool

How did the audience respond?

gained little success at the time but now regarded as an American classic.

probity

honesty, integrity

undermine

impair

In his early career, what did Arthur Miller join?

joined Federal theater project which provided jobs within the theatre industry.

testament

proof or evidence that something exists or is true

What did Miller refuse to do during his questioning?

refused to admit his involvement/didnt provide any names for Congress.

guile

ruse

Vestry

sacristy

deposition

sworn statement

Where is Act 1 set?

takes place in home of Rev. Samuel Parris in Salem Massachusetts in Spring 1692.

lecher

womanizer

What did Arthur Miller write and why?i

wrote the Crucible to compare McCarthy's accusations with Salem Witch Trials.