English The Crucible Test

What has occurred between Abigail Williams and John Proctor before the time the play begins?

Abigail and and John argue about them staying together because John has a wife and can't be with her.

Based on what you have learned about Abigail in Act I, whom do you think she might accuse as the play continues? Cite specific evidence to support your response.

Abigail might accuse Mrs.Proctor of witchcraft because she wants to be with her husband Mr.Proctor.

Why is Proctor arrested at the end of the act?

Because he confessed to adultery and accused of witchcraft at the end of the act.

Why does Elizabeth lie to Danforth about her husband's relationship with Abigail?

Elizabeth lies to protect her husband, but did not know he already confessed to the court. Her husband committed lechery when he had an affair with Abigail.

Why does Elizabeth want John to go to Salem?

Elizabeth wants John to go to Salem because she wants him to confess about the affair so Abby will stop accusing innocent people.

Why does Hale come to the Proctors' home?

Hale comes to Proctor's home because Abigail told him that Elizabeth was a witch and she had a poppet of her in her house.

Dramatic irony occurs when readers know more about a situation than a character does. Why is John struck by Hale's declaration that "some secret blasphemy" (lines 946-957) has caused all of the confusion?

Hales declaration strucks John with confusion because Hale acts like he knows about the affair between John and Abigail.

What does John Proctor admit to the court?

He admits his affair with Abigail and committing adultery.

What is your opinion of the way Danforth is conducting the court? Use details from the play to support your opinion.

He cares more on how the court will look rather than the truth about the witches. He just wants to make himself look good to the people.

Why does Reverend Hale come to Salem?

He comes to Salem because he wants to find the witches in the town.

What is a protagonist? Antagonist? Foil? Who is the play's protagonist, its antagonist and its character foils? List traits that demonstrate why you think this to be so. What effect does the interplay among these characters have on the play?

I would say that the protagonist is John and the antagonist is Abby. I think Abby is manipulating him and wants him all to herself and will stop at nothing to get what she wants. The interplay of these characters has an huge effect on the play. Both of them are trying to win over the court and it's his word against hers. It causes tension in the play. John is the protagonist because he just wants what is right and that being his wife not being convicted of witchcraft because of Abby's lies.

How would you judge John's behavior so far? Cite evidence from the play to support your position.

John is very demanding and likes to have control over the town. He goes to court, fighting their decision because he thinks that he is right.

Verbal irony occurs when someone states one thing and means another. According to the stage directions, Abigail draws the sobbing, repentant Mary to her side "out of her infinite charity" (lines 1136-1137). Why is this comment ironic?

Mary is only going back to Abby because she is realizing that telling the truth isn't getting her anywhere and it's only putting her life in danger. Mary really doesn't like Abby she is only siding with her to stay safe.

Do you think Reverend Hale believes that Elizabeth Proctor is practicing witchcraft? Support your opinion with specific details.

No I do not think that Hale thinks that Elizabeth is actually practicing witchcraft he just has to do what the court says to do. He wants to do what he thinks that God wants him to do.

Why does Mary Warren come to the court?

She comes to court because she made the poppet and John Proctor wanted her to tell "the truth".

What are some of Elizabeth Proctor's character traits? How would you describe her character?

She stands up for herself and is very brave, yet doesn't like conflict.

What is the cause for concern in the Parris household?

That Abigail was practicing witchcraft with other girls in the forest

The real Abigail Williams was 11 years old in 1692 and had not had an illicit relationship with John Proctor. How would the play differ if Arthur Miller had not embellished the truth? What would be lost?

The play would be different if Abigail and John hadn't had an affair because Abigail would have not accused Elizabeth of witchcraft. Elizabeth would not of even fired Abigail if it was not for the affair. Then Mr.Proctor wouldn't have tried to protect his innocent wife and others by exposing Abigail. The play would have lost the conflict between these characters.

What proof leads to Elizabeth's arrest?

The poppet that was found in her house with a needle in it.

What do the characters in the play believe about witches? List their beliefs.

They believe that witches work with the devil and that they can see the devil and his followers.

Miller wrote that during the anti-communist hearings, "I saw accepted the notion that conscience was no longer a private matter but one of state administration." How does this notion apply to the witch-hunts in Salem?

This has to do with the witch hunts because when they discover one witch it becomes the public's problems.

Reread lines 1017-1056 at the end of Act I. Why do you think Tituba and Abigail admit to having practiced witchcraft? Why do they name others?

Tituba and Abigail admit to have practiced witchcraft because if not then they would have beaten Tituba to death. They name others so the blame would be off of them.