The Crucible Review

Who is Parris' daughter?

Betty

Who is Betty's cousin? (Parris' niece)

Abigail

Who is Tituba?

Parris' slave

Is dancing allowed in this community?

No

What do the girls do in the forrest?

Sang and danced

Who is married to John Proctor

Elizabeth

Who works for the Proctors?

Mary

Why are the girls lying?

Because they don't want to get in trouble

"So now they and their church found it necessary to deny any other sect its freedom, lest their New Jerusalem be defiled and corrupted by wrong and deceitful ideas." What is the irony in that statement?

It is ironic that they came to this country to be free and they have really strict rules for their people.

Explain how the witch-hunt years were a time of "general revenge."

People used it to get revenge on those they did not like.

Why does Mrs. Putnam believe there are witches in Salem?

Her daughter Ruth is ill

Why is Thomas Putnam bitter?

His brother in law was turned down for a government position. Thomas Putnam thinks he is all that and a bag of chips because he has money.

Parris says, "Oh, Abigail, what proper payment for my charity! Now I am undone!" What does that mean?

He feels that Abigail's action betrayed him and it will ruin his reputation.

Describe Proctor.

Proctor was a farmer in his mid 30's.

What happened between Abigail and John Proctor prior to the opening of the play?

They were having a secret affair.

What was the "sign" that Betty was bewitched?

Betty tries to "fly to mama"

Explain the political relationship between the Putnam and Nurse families.

They don't like each other because they fight over land boundaries and political officials they support.

What is Rebecca's explanation of the girls' behavior?

She knows that Betty is pretending to be sick and will be normal once she gets tired of it.

What is Proctor's reason for his not regularly attending church?

He doesn't like Reverend Parris because he thinks he's a hypocrite.

Giles says, "Think on it now, it's a deep thing, and dark as a pit." To what is he referring literally and symbolically?

He is referring to people in the community who will do anything to destroy each other. Symbolically people's greed and vengeance is creating a pit of despair.

What do Putnam and Proctor argue about? What does this show?

Land. This shows that they don't like each other.

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

He's a minister that comes to look for witches in Salem.

Hale says, "They [the books] must be [heavy]; they are weighted with authority." What is the significance of this remark?

The book is full of rules and information how to find witches.

To what did Tituba confess? Why?

She confessed that she conjured spirits in the woods and talked to the Devil.

Because Putnam said to hang her and she was scared so she confessed.

What do the girls do at the end of Act One?

They start accusing other people.

What gift did Mary give Elizabeth?

A doll (Poppet)

Why doesn't Proctor want Mary to go back to court?

He doesn't want Mary to be involved and stay home and work.

Why did Hale come to Proctor's house?

Because Elizabeth was accused and he had a search warrant.

On what charge(s) was Rebecca Nurse arrested?

She supposedly "killed" Goody Putnam's 7 babies.

Why doesn't Mary want to testify about the doll?

She's scared Abigail is going to do something to her.

Why do Giles and Francis want to talk to Danforth?

That their wives are good people and the girls are fakes.

What does Mary tell Danforth?

First she tells him that the girls were pretending, then she tells him that John Proctor is the devil.

When Danforth hears that Elizabeth is pregnant, what does he allow?

He tells John Proctor that she can live for another year until she gives birth

What paper did ninety-one people sign?

Petition saying that Rebecca Nurse, Mary Corey, and Elizabeth Proctor are good people.

". . . a person is either with this court or he must be counted against it, there be no road between." Explain the importance of Danforth's statement.

It shows how rigid and strict the Puritans were.

Of what does Giles accuse Putnam?

He says that Putnam is accusing people to get their land.

Hawthorne thinks of a test for Mary. What is it? Can she do it? Why or why not?

He tells her to faint and she cannot do it.

What happens to Proctor?

He gets arrested

What did Abigail do in Act 4

Abigail stole money from Parris (her uncle) and took off.

Parris says, "You cannot hang this sort. There is danger for me." What "sort" does he mean, and what is the danger to him?

People will come after him.

Explain Danforth's reason that a pardon would not be just.

It wouldn't be fair to the people who have already hanged.

Why has Hale come back to Salem?

Try to save Proctor and make him confess.

What does Hale want Elizabeth to do?

Make Proctor confess

What happened to Giles?

He was pressed to death.

Proctor says, "My honesty is broke, Elizabeth, I am no good man." Explain.

His reputation is gone.

What "confession" did Elizabeth make to John?

She tells John it's her fault that he cheated on her because she wasn't a good wife.

What did Proctor do after he signed the confession? Why?

He ripped it up because Danforth wanted to post it on the church door.

"I have given you my soul; leave me my name!" Explain.

John Proctor said this to save his reputation in the town.

"He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him!" What does Elizabeth mean?

She means that Proctor has peace and pride, she doesn't want to take that away from him.

What do you think will happen to Parris?

He will be ousted of his position. People will possibly come after him.