English Crucible Study Guide

What does 'hearty' mean?

Good health

What does 'trafficked' imply?

Consorting with a certain group

What are 'abominations'?

Something that causes hatred

What does 'begrudge' mean?

Resent

What are 'intimations'?

Hints

What does 'formidable' mean?

Impressive

What does 'prodigious' mean?

Huge; vast

What does 'discomfits' mean?

Unsettles; flusters

What does 'indignant' mean?

Angry; outraged

What does 'condemn' mean?

Judge; find guilty

What does 'base' refer to?

Morally low

What does 'covenanted' mean?

Entered into an agreement or made a pledge

What does 'falter' mean?

Hesitate

What does 'bewilder' mean?

Confuse; baffle

What is 'vengeance'?

Revenge; retaliation

What does 'saintliness' refer to?

Virtue; goodness

What does 'contentious' mean?

Argumentative

What does 'contemptuous' mean?

Scornful; disrespectful

What is a 'deposition'?

A written statement or testimony

What does 'befuddled' mean?

Confused; bewildered

What does 'reproach' mean?

Scold; criticize

What is 'perjury'?

Lying under oath

What is 'lechery'?

Another term for adultery

What does 'denounce' mean?

Condemn; publicly declare something as wrong

What is a 'stench'?

Bad smell

What does 'excommunication' mean?

Expelled from the church

What does 'beguile' mean?

Deceive; entice; lure

What does 'reprieve' mean?

Pardon; excuse

What is 'retaliation'?

Revenge; payback

What does 'adamant' mean?

Obstinate; unyielding

What is a 'calamity'?

Disaster; mishap

Who is John Proctor?

A farmer who feels guilty about his affair but chooses integrity over a false confession.

Who is Abigail Williams?

A manipulative girl who lies about witchcraft and wants John Proctor.

Who is Reverend Hale?

A minister who changes his beliefs after realizing the court is wrong.

Who is Judge Danforth?

A judge who values authority over truth.

Who is Rebecca Nurse?

A respected woman who represents wisdom, goodness, and honesty.

Who is Giles Corey?

A farmer who stands up for his beliefs and refuses to cooperate with the court.

Who is Mary Warren?

The Proctors' servant who gives in to fear and turns against John.

Who is Elizabeth Proctor?

John's wife who is accused of witchcraft by Abigail.

Who is Reverend Parris?

Abigail's uncle who cares about his reputation and position.

Who is Thomas Putnam?

A greedy man who uses the trials to gain land and power.

Who is Ann Putnam?

A woman who sends Ruth to Tituba because she wants answers about her dead babies.

Who is Tituba?

Parris's enslaved servant who is pressured into confessing to witchcraft.

Why does Abigail accuse Elizabeth?

She wants Elizabeth out of the way so she can be with John.

Why does Elizabeth lie in court?

She wants to protect John's reputation.

Why does Elizabeth's lie hurt John?

She doesn't know John already confessed to his affair.

What does the poppet reveal?

Weak evidence can be used to falsely accuse innocent people.

What evidence do Proctor, Giles, and Francis present?

Mary's testimony, a petition, and evidence about Putnam's motives.

Why does the court reject the evidence?

The judges refuse to question their authority.

Why are Abigail and the girls believed?

Their dramatic behavior makes the court believe their accusations.

Why does Mary Warren turn against Proctor?

She becomes frightened and gives in to Abigail's pressure.

Why does Hale return in Act IV?

He feels guilty and tries to convince prisoners to confess to save their lives.

What does Giles mean by 'More weight'?

He refuses to give the court information that could harm another person.

Why does Proctor tear up his confession?

He refuses to let the court use his name to support a lie.

Is justice achieved at the end?

No. Innocent people are punished and the truth is ignored.

What is McCarthyism?

Accusing people of being communists without fair evidence.

How does Miller connect Salem to McCarthyism?

Both involve mass accusations, fear, and unfair punishment.

What is the main message of The Crucible?

Fear and false accusations can destroy innocent lives.

What does John Proctor represent?

Integrity, guilt, redemption, and courage.

What motivates Abigail?

Jealousy, her desire for John, and power.

What motivates Proctor?

Guilt, love for his family, and redemption.

How does fear affect Salem?

People lie and accuse others to protect themselves.

How does reputation affect characters?

They make decisions to protect their names and families.

What is the conflict between integrity and self-preservation?

Choosing between doing what is right and saving yourself.

What does Miller say about authority?

Power becomes dangerous when leaders refuse to accept the truth.

What makes Proctor a hero?

He sacrifices his safety rather than his integrity.

How does Hale change?

He goes from believing the accusations to questioning the court.

Does Abigail change?

No. She remains manipulative and selfish.

Does Danforth change?

No. He refuses to admit the court is wrong.

What does Rebecca Nurse represent?

Reason and goodness in Salem.

What does the poppet symbolize?

False evidence and manipulation.

What does the forest symbolize?

The unknown, fear, and freedom from Puritan rules.

What does the court symbolize?

Authority and corruption.

What does Proctor's confession symbolize?

The conflict between survival and integrity.

What does the church symbolize?

Religious authority and strict expectations.

What is a simile?

A comparison using 'like' or 'as.'

What is a metaphor?

A comparison that does not use 'like' or 'as.'

What is personification?

Giving human characteristics to nonhuman things.

What is hyperbole?

Extreme exaggeration.

What is an allusion?

A reference to history, religion, or literature.

What is irony?

When what happens is different from what is expected.

What is imagery?

Descriptive language that appeals to the five senses.

What is dramatic irony?

When the audience knows something a character does not.