The Crucible Act I Review

Flashcards covering character identification, content details, and short-answer concepts from Act I of The Crucible.

How does Abigail Williams criticize Elizabeth Proctor in Act I?

She calls her a liar and cold hearted/sniveling/siddy.

What reaction does Betty Parris have when she hears the villagers downstairs singing psalms?

She sits up, puts her hands over her ears, and screams.

What is Rebecca Nurse's perspective on the girls' behavior and what does she suggest the town do?

She believes the girls are just going through a phase and that the town should turn to Good/prayer and pray rather than look for witchcraft.

Why does John Proctor cause conflict with Thomas Putnam regarding land?

He mentions cutting lumber on land that Thomas Putnam claims is his.

How do John Proctor and Rebecca Nurse feel about Reverend Hale's arrival in Salem?

They are not happy about his arrival.

Why does Tituba confess to witchcraft, and what claim does she make about Reverend Parris?

She confesses because she is afraid for her life, and she claims the Devil told her to kill Parris.

What causes Abigail Williams to start accusing other villagers of being witches at the end of Act I?

She gets caught up in the rush of attention and power.

Why does Ann Putnam send her daughter Ruth to see Tituba?

To talk to (or conjure) the spirits of her dead children.

Why is Giles Corey's concern about his wife reading books considered ironic upon Reverend Hale's arrival?

Because he also has books that are not the Bible.

How does Reverend Hale's style of questioning Tituba affect her answers?

He uses closed questions that influence her responses.

What is the setting of Act I of The Crucible?

Salem, Massachusetts.

Why is Reverend Samuel Parris terrified by the presence of witchcraft in his household?

He fears the villagers will use it to take him out of power.

According to the character review, what does Reverend Samuel Parris preach about?

He preaches about hellfire and damnation rather than God.

How is Betty Parris described in the character list?

A ten-year-old girl who is ill and tries to "fly".

Who is Abigail Williams according to the character matching section?

An orphan living with her uncle.

Where is Tituba originally from, and what is her role in Salem?

She is from Barbados and works as a slave for the Parris family.

What makes Thomas Putnam notable regarding his interactions with other villagers?

He often makes accusations against others regarding land disputes.

Who is Ruth Putnam?

The only surviving child of the Putnam family, who is also ill at the start of Act I.

Who are the servants for the Putnam family and the Proctor family, respectively?

Mercy Lewis is the servant to the Putnam family, and Mary Warren is the servant to the Proctor family.

How is John Proctor characterized in the character matching guide?

He is disloyal to his wife and had an alleged affair.

What actions did Elizabeth Proctor take regarding Abigail Williams prior to Act I?

She fired Abigail and allegedly slandered Abigail's good name.

How is Rebecca Nurse described in terms of her age, religion, and family?

She is 72 years old, devoutly religious, with a large family.

Who is James Bayley in relation to Thomas Putnam?

He is Thomas Putnam's brother-in-law.

Who is Reverend Hale and what brings him to Salem?

He is an expert from Beverly called to investigate alleged witchcraft.

What reason does Abigail give for being fired and failing to find new employment?

She claims people want her to be a slave, which she refuses to be.

What specific acts did Reverend Parris witness when he caught the girls dancing in the forest?

He saw someone dancing naked and saw Tituba swaying over a fire.

How does Abigail interact with John Proctor in Act I, and how does John respond?

Abigail acts playful and flirty, but John remains polite but firm and keeps his distance.