Crucible Act 1 Questions

What does Rebecca Nurse say about the sick children?

"LET US RATHER BLAME OURSELVES" First one to say lets look at ourselves to see if we have caused this rather than looking for devil + spirits

Based on his words what seems to be Parris's motivation for inadvertently causing hysteria?

"There is a faction sworn to drive me from my pulpit" and "They will howl me out of Salem for such corruption in my house" Suggests that his only concern is keeping his position in the church

What three grudges could the Putnam's have against the Nurses?

-The nurses owned 300 acres some of which Putnam claimed were his family's land -Putnam disapproved of the nurses improving their status by gradually acquiring land -The nurses were some of those who worked to keep Putnam's relative out of the Salem minister position

What role did Ann Putnam play in the dancing in the forest?

Asks her daughter, Ruth, to conjure the spirits of her 7 other dead kids.

What motivates Abby and Betty to begin denouncing everyone?

Blame can be on others and not them and Betty is imitating her

What effect does Miller create lowering the curtain for this act during the girls' cries of witchcraft?

Dramatic effect, ends on dramatic scene. List keeps going on and no one is safe becuase they keep calling out different names

Explain the significance of the forest to the Puritans

Forest = epitome of evil (remember Native Americans are considered murderous heathens; danger of the unknown; threat of the devil)

Describe Giles Corey both physically and personally

Giles Corey is 83 years old, he is muscular a crank and a nuisance but also innocent and brave

Explain the relationship between Abail and Goody (Elizabeth) Proctor

Goody Proctor fired her servant, Abigail. They clearly dislike each other (rumor that Good Proctor called Abigail "soiled" and Abigail says of Good proctor she is bitter and cold

To what twentieth century situation might Miller be referring when he declares: "They believed, in short, that they held in their steady hands the candle that would light the world. We have inherited this belief, and it has helped and hurt us."

Miller claims that Americans often believes they possess the true "light" or value system that the rest of the world should follow... sometimes this he;ps escape from pitfalls of other countries, but also causes problems

The setting is Salem, Massachusetts, in the year 1692. Someone once said of the Puritans that they did not leave Europe because they were persecuted, but that they were thrown out of Europe because they persecuted everyone else. As you read the opening of Act I, how do you suppose Miller would respond to that statement?

Miller is aware of the Puritans' flaws, but he also seems to be aware of the integrity of their motivations & stresses they faced.

What does the "spareness" of the Puritan setting reveal about the lives of the townspeople of Salem?

Overture = introduction to the characters and to his comparison between the Puritans and 1950s America. Note his lengthy sidebars to help with explanations!

What purpose does the Overture serve?

Overture = introduction to the characters and to his comparison between the Puritans and 1950s America. Note his lengthy sidebars to help with explanations!

Proctor says he wants to see what is happening. But mainly wants to see Abigail.

Proctor says he wants to see what is happening. But mainly wants to see Abigail.

What Puritan primary fear is apparent in the philosophy, "In unity still lay the best promise of safety"?

Puritan fear of Native Americans & their environment (wild animals, climate, etc) forces the Puritans to stick together to survive. Individually could cost lives —> conformity is their best bet.

What does Betty's information about dancing in the forest reveal about Abigail's true motivation?

Putnam explains that the congregation will love Parris if he seeks out and destroys the Devil in Salem. Parris sees this as an opportunity for more support and to keep his position as minister.

What are Putnam's motivations for his actions in Salem?

Putnams show up to Rev. Parris home b/c Ruth sick also. Mr Putnam acts out of family honor and greed. He's angry that his relative wasn't hired as a minister of Salem, and he's determined to rectify that injustice. He also argues with Proctor over Land ownership (claims a section of Proctor's land rightfully belongs to him)

Describe Rebecca Nurse physically and by reputation

Rebecca Nurse is 72 years old and she is highly regarded in society

In terms of indirect characterization, why is it significant that Hale recognizes one of the characters by reputation?

Rebecca Nurse.s soul is good as anyone could be, and Hale realizes how good of a person she can be -Rebecca is accepted as universally good

What is Rebecca's solution to Betty's and Ruth's ailments, and why does this solution anger Anne Putnam?

Rebecca says that she will stop playing when she gets tired because that's what kids do. Ann is angered by this because she has lost 7 children

What is Reverend Hale's motivation?

Reverend Hale's motivation is that he dedicated his whole life to studying and searching for witches and finding one

When Abigail enters, she is described as "strikingly beautiful girl...with an endless capacity for dissembling." What does the phrase an "endless capacity for dissembling" suggest?

She constantly lies and is very convincing at it and she is not trustworthy

What does the threat of a "pointy reckoning" reveal about Abigail's true nature?

She physically threatens the other girls in a descriptive way. The other girls are afraid of her . We also learn that they are so scared they won't cross her.

What does Abigail say that leads Parris, Putnam, and Mrs. Putnam to believe Betty is bewitched?

She said "she heard you singing and suddenly she's up and screaming." She is referring to when they were singing the psalm and reacts to it as if she is disgusted by it. This further convinces them she is bewitched and she is possessed by the Devil and she is strongly opposed to the Bible and psalms.

Describe Mary Warren's personality

Submissive - wants to tell the truth. Willing to take the consequences but when Abigail and Proctor threaten her she withdraws. Miller refers to her as a mouse

Explain the irony in the Puritan's pilgrimage to Salem to escape persecution

The Puritans left England to gain religious freedom... but they granted no one in this new world any such freedom. They also persecuted those who were different (while claiming this was why they left)

Explain Proctor and Abigail's relationship

They had an affair while Abigail worked in Proctor's house. They argue about it.