The Crucible Act I + Act II Study Guide Questions

Abigail is the root of all evil in Salem.

Abigail is the source of the problems in Salem.

Sarah Good

Accused by Tituba

Goody Obsurn

Accused by Tituba; Served as midwife three times to Ann Putnam

Reverend Hale

Brought in to disprove the presence of witches in Salem; holds great respect for Rebecca Nurse's good works

Abigail Williams

Cousins with Betty Parris; had an affair with John Proctor; drank a charm in hopes of killing Elizabeth Proctor

Explain how each of the following is an example of verbal, situational, or dramatic irony. The one Commandment out of ten that John Proctor can't remember.

Dramatic Irony: The audience knows that Proctor committed adultery.

Proctor: "Vengeance is walking in Salem."

Everyone in Salem is out to get revenge on one another. Abigail -> Elizabeth -> Proctor

Giles Corey

Fights about territory/land with Thomas Putnam; fights about money with Reverend Parris

Abigail vs Elizabeth Proctor

Goody Proctor fired Abigail because she was having an affair with John Proctor. Abigail insists she was fired because Goody Proctor is cold and unreasonable.

What theological argument does John Hale use to explain the causes of the events in Salem?

Hale claims that "The Devil is alive in Salem" and that God is testing the faith of the citizens of Salem or that perhaps God is punishing the citizens for some sinful act they won't confess to.

According to the stage directions, how does John Hale enter for the first time?

He enters the room with half a dozen heavy books. It was his first call, so he was excited.

Proctor: "I will curse her hotter than the oldest cinder."

I'll show her my anger and let her know where I stand in our relationship; suffer; burn in hell; cinder = log

What ominous revelation does Mary Warren make about Elizabeth's reputation? How does this disclosure serve to make the quarrel between Elizabeth and John even more heated?

John Hale questions Proctor and his wife about why they haven't been to church, why their last child isn't baptized and to list the ten Commandments. Proctor states the Ten Commandments and forgets adultery; he doesn't like church because the golden candlesticks disrupt his prayer, and they refuse to have Parris touch their children.

What conflict does John Proctor face at the end of the act?

John Proctor is torn because he needs to speak out against Abigail; it's the right thing to do according to his moral code. He also knows that if he does, she will reveal that they had an affair to everyone and his reputation will be ruined.

The end of this act hints that the most important conflict in the play will take place between two specific characters; a protagonist and an antagonist. Who is the protagonist? Who is the antagonist?

John Proctor vs. Abigail Williams

Thomas Putnam

Married Ann Putnam; Resents Reverend Parris; fights about territory/land with Giles Corey

John Proctor

Married Elizabeth Proctor; had an affair with Abigail Williams

Elizabeth Proctor

Married John Proctor; fired Abigail Williams seven months ago

Ann Putnam

Married Thomas Putnam; only surviving child: Ruth Putnam; jealous that all of Rebecca Nurses's children and grandchildren have lived

What gift does Marry Warren present to Elizabeth?

Marry Warren presents to Elizabeth a poppet (doll).

Reverend Parris

Minister of Salem; fights about money with Giles Corey; resented by Thomas Putnam; brings in Reverend Hale to disprove the presence of witches in Salem.

Elizabeth: "the magistrate sits in your heart."

One's own conscience judges one and is the cause of one's guilt; judge; officer of law

Ruth Putnam

Only surviving child of Ruth Putnam; slapped hard by Mercy Lewis

What do we learn about the events in the forest and Abigail Williams' connections with the Proctor family?

Paris found his children dancing in the forest, but he does not tell due to his reputation. Abigail admits to dancing and putting a spell on Goody Proctor but does not accept punishment or admit witchcraft. Parris questions Abigail's good reputation from rumors say Goody Proctor was corrupt.

Parris vs. Salem parishioners

Parris believes there are factions in the town that wish to throw him from the pulpit. Parris believes the parishioners are disloyal and not devoted to the Church.

One of Miller's major subjects in the play is the nature of authority. How is Parris linked with the idea of authority in Act I?

Parris is the minister of Salem. Reverends are held as religious figures and thus important.

Hale: "Theology is a fortress."

People's beliefs are their protection.

Explain John Proctor's allusion as he tells Hale, "Pontius Pilate! God will not let you wash your hands of this!"

Pontius Pilate was a Roman leader who condemned Jesus to b e crucified. You are sentencing these innocent people to death!

Before the arrival of John Hale, what are some of the subjects for petty disagreement among the characters?

Proctor and Putnam were arguing over lumber.

John Proctor & Rebecca Nurse vs. Putnam & Parris

Proctor and Rebecca do not support Parris' decision to invite Hale to investigate the girls and Salem for witchcraft. They believe the town should first consider their own erroneous ways and pray for God's help. The Putnam's insist that the town is being plagued by spirits and witchcraft.

Parris vs. John Proctor

Proctor does not respect Parris' ministry. Proctor accuses Parris of being motivated by money.

Abigail vs. John Proctor

Proctor wants to absolve himself from Abigail. Abigail lusts after Proctor and desires to continue their affair.

Proctor vs. Putnam

Putnam accuses Proctor of stealing firewood from land that belongs to the Putnam family. Proctor insists that he bought the land from the Nurse family.

One of Miller's major subjects in the play is the nature of authority. How is Rebecca Nurse linked with the idea of authority in Act I?

Rebecca Nurse is a wealthy widow and has 11 children. She is from a respectable family.

Francis Nurse: "My wife is the very brick and mortar of the church."

Rebecca's faithfulness holds the church together.

Why has Parris sent for Reverend Hale from Beverly?

Reverend Hale needed to heal Betty with Parris's request.

Proctor: "a funeral marches round your heart."

Sadness and grief have overtaken one's spirit; a sad broken heart; cold hearted

What duty has Mary Warren been performing in Salem?

She has been performing the duty of serving on the court.

What does Elizabeth Proctor report to her husband about the trials in Salem? What does she urge John to do?

She tells him that 14 people are in jail and they are beginning to hang them. Elizabeth urges John to tell the jury what Abigail told him.

Explain how each of the following is an example of verbal, situational, or dramatic irony. Mary's gift of a poppet to Elizabeth.

Situational Irony: The audience is not aware of the plan.

Tituba

Slave of Reverend Parris; accused of witchcraft by Abigail; accuses Sarah Good and Goody Osburn

What does Ann Putnam claim in the play about her dead infant children?

Someone murdered Goody Putnam's seven dead children.

Putnam family vs. Nurse family

The Putnam family and the Nurse family have a history of land disputes. It is rumored that the two families engaged in a two day battle over land in the past.

How would you describe the atmosphere or mood at the end of this act? What might the atmosphere foreshadow about future events in the town of Salem?

The end of Act I was chaotic and hysterical. This can infer the ridiculous trials as well as death.

Tituba & the girls vs. Salem adults

The girls danced, sang, and conjured spirits in the forest with Tituba. The town is shocked and appalled by these sins.

Where and when is the opening scene of the play set?

The play is set in Salem, Massachusetts in a small upper bedroom of Reverend Samuel Parris in spring of 1692.

What happens when John Hale interrogates Tituba? How does the scene's atmosphere become out of control?

Tituba confesses and blames her witchcraft on the devil. The girls start yelling names of others. Hale directs them.

Miller colors the play with dialect, or specific regional speech. Pick out some examples of dialect in this act.

Tituba says, "He say Mr. Parris be kill! Mr. Parris no goodly man." "Goody." "Aye."

Explain how each of the following is an example of verbal, situational, or dramatic irony. Proctor's statement about Abigail at the end of the act, "Good. Then her saintliness is done with."

Verbal Irony: Abigail did not even have saintliness.

Rebecca Nurse

Wealthy widow and has 11 children; Reverend Hale holds great respect for her good works; Ann Putnam is jealous that all of her children and grandchildren have lived.

Verbal Irony

When a character/actor say something that does not hold truth.

Situational Irony

When something/event occurs that is not suspected?

Dramatic Irony

When the characters/players on stage do not know.

Marry Warren

Works as a servant for John Proctor

Mercy Lewis

Works as a servant for Thomas Putnam; slaps Ruth Putnam hard