english

Who was Joseph McCarthy and what did he claim about the U.S. government?

A U.S. senator who claimed that Communists had infiltrated the government without evidence.

What impact did McCarthy’s accusations have on 1950s America?

Created fear, destroyed reputations, and led to paranoia known as McCarthyism.

What major global conflict was happening during McCarthy’s rise?

The Cold War between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.

How did Cold War fears influence American culture?

Promoted suspicion, loyalty oaths, propaganda, and conformity.

Why did Arthur Miller write The Crucible?

To compare the Salem Witch Trials to McCarthyism as an allegory for hysteria and false accusations.

How do the Salem Witch Trials parallel 1950s America?

Both involved public fear, accusations without proof, and destroyed reputations.

What was the Red Scare?

A period of extreme fear of communism spreading in the U.S.

How did the Red Scare create a climate of fear?

People feared being accused, blacklisted, or losing jobs for unproven reasons.

How does Elizabeth learn about John’s affair?

John confesses; it reveals broken trust in their marriage.

What does the lack of trust between John and Elizabeth represent?

The fragility of integrity and forgiveness.

What did Reverend Parris see in the forest?

The girls dancing and conjuring spirits, sparking the hysteria.

What role does Tituba play?

She is accused first and unintentionally inspires others to accuse.

Why is Salem, Massachusetts, an important setting?

A strict Puritan society obsessed with religious purity and sin.

How does Puritanism affect the characters’ actions?

Religious fear leads them to believe accusations without evidence.

What motivates Abigail Williams?

Jealousy and desire for John Proctor; she wants Elizabeth gone.

How does Abigail manipulate others?

By lying, threatening, and controlling the girls to maintain power.

How does Reverend Hale change through the play?

Starts confident in his duty; ends guilty and disillusioned by injustice.

What does Hale’s transformation show?

Blind faith in authority can lead to moral corruption.

What does the poppet symbolize?

Innocence turned into false evidence and manipulation.

How does the poppet incriminate Elizabeth?

The needle in the doll is used as “proof” of witchcraft.

What does Reverend Hale’s guilt represent?

Recognition of his role in the wrongful persecution.

How does Hale act on his guilt?

He urges the accused to confess to save their lives.

What is John Proctor’s internal conflict?

Guilt over his affair and the struggle to regain integrity.

How does Proctor resolve his conflict?

Chooses honesty and dies with dignity, preserving his name.

How does fear drive the events in Salem?

People accuse others to protect themselves from suspicion.

What happens to the community under fear?

Trust breaks down; hysteria replaces reason and justice.

Which quote best reflects Abigail’s motivation?

"There be no blush about my name." — shows obsession with reputation and jealousy.

Which quote reveals Parris’s materialism?

"I think I have fought here three long years to bend these stiff-necked people to me." — shows he values power and status over truth.

What does Mary Warren’s accusation against John show?

"You’re the Devil’s man!" — reveals fear and self-preservation over loyalty.

What quotes reveal the injustice of Rebecca Nurse’s fate?

"The Devil is precise; the marks of his presence are definite." — shows how logic is twisted to justify killing the innocent.

What quote shows Thomas Putnam’s greed?

"This man is killing his neighbors for their land!" — exposes his selfish motives behind the accusations.

What are the key themes of The Crucible?

Hysteria, reputation, integrity, individual conscience vs. authority.

What motifs appear throughout the play?

The poppet, the trials, and the idea of one’s “name” as identity.

What lesson does The Crucible teach?

Fear and conformity can destroy truth and humanity.