The Crucible Study Guide

Where and when is the opening scene of the play set?

Salem - Spring - 1692

Why is the Reverand Samuel Parris so distraught at the beginning of Act One?

His daughter is lying motionless in the bed.

What unnerves Rev. Parris about the report Susanna Walcott brings from Doctor Griggs?

There is no cure; it might be 'unnatural'.

Why has Parris sent for Reverend Hale from Beverly?

Hale is considered an expert on witchcraft.

What do we learn in the exposition of the play about the events in the forest?

The girls were dancing in the forest.

What do we learn in the exposition about Abigail Williams; past connections with the Proctor family?

She was a maid who had a relationship with John Proctor.

What information about Thomas Putnam does Arthur Miller tell us in his expository aside?

His brother was rejected as minister, so he resents Parris.

What does Ann Putnam claim in the play about her dead babies?

They were murdered.

Before the arrival of John Hale, what are some of the subjects for petty disagreements among Proctor, Corey, Putnam and Parris?

Land, church, the parish

According to the stage directions, how does John Hale enter for the first time?

He is carrying a load of books.

What happens when John Hale interrogates Tituba?

Tituba confesses to witchcraft in order to keep from being hung.

How does the atmosphere of the scene become hysterical at the end of the act?

Abigail and Betty are shouting out names of 'witches'.

What is the meaning of crucible in the title of the play?

A test or trial

What kind of play does this title lead you to expect?

Dramatic

In the first aside, what does Miller say about the Puritans' outlook toward the virgin forest?

It is a place for the devil.

What does he mean when he characterizes the Puritan community in Salem at this period as a theocracy?

Church is the most important thing in life.

Together with the opening lines of dialogue, what atmosphere or mood does this setting create?

mysterious

What does Miller suggest about Abigail Williams?

She is disembling.

What does Miller suggest about Ann Putnam?

She is a twisted soul.

What does Miller suggest about Mercy Lewis?

She is fat.

What are Parris's principal flaws or moral weaknesses?

He is very paranoid. He worries more about his image than Betty, and he cares about material items.

How are Parris, Putnam, Hale and Nurse linked with the idea of authority?

Parris is a minister; Putnam is a large landowner; Hale is a 'witch expert'; and Nurse is a revered, king woman.

How would you describe the atmosphere or mood at the end of this act?

Hectic, hysterical

What might this atmosphere foreshadow about future events in the town of Salem?

Witch-hunting is going to become extremely popular.

What was the cornerstone for the Puritans?

church

What were two of the rules associated with church?

must attend church; work hard/repress emotions

What was frowned upon by Puritans?

Individualism

What are the basic Puritan beliefs?

all sins should be punished; God punishes sin; the Devil is real

Those who followed Satan were considered what?

witches

What was the punishment for witchcraft?

death

Who were the first to be accused of witchcraft?

Tituba(slave), Sarah Good(beggar), Sarah Osborne (old woman)

How was Salem divided into 2 parts?

Salem Village (poor) & Salem Town (prosperous port town)

What brought about the witch trials in Salem

jealousy and hostility; Reverend Parris who hated anything wordly

What described the lives of children in 1692?

Strict rules; boys were apprentices; girls tended homes; not many toys/games; many learned to read

What was probably the only book children read from?

Bible

What is puritanism?

a variation of Calvinism

What were Puritans trying to do?

purify the corruption of the Anglican Church of England

What is predestination?

select individuals were already preordained by God to enter Heaven

How were these individuals recognized?

hard work

How did the Puritans see themselves?

God's chosen people

How did Puritans fell about those of other faiths?

intolerant

What was counter magic?

urine of the afflicted victim baked in a cake and fed to a dog

What important theme was Miller writing about?

House Un-American Activities Committee

What was the time period of McCarthyism?

1940s-1950s

What were people afraid of in the 40s-50s?

communism crowing in Eastern Europe/China

What was the purpose of the House Un-American Activities Committee?

anti-communism campaigns; accusations of communist sympathizing

What led to Miller writing the play?

questioning of friends by the House Un-American Activities Committee

What duty has Mary Warren been performing in Salem?

Court Official

What does Elizabeth Proctor report to her husband about the trials in Salem?

a lot of accusations

What does Elizabeth urge John to do?

reveal Abigail's corruption & talk with Cheever

What gift does Mary Warren present to Elizabeth?

poppet

What ominous revelation does Mary Warren make about Elizabeth's reputation?

she is accused

How does Elizabeth's accusation make the quarrel between Elizabeth and John even more heated?

Elizabeth knows it was because of Abigails jealousy

What are some of the ways John Hale questions Proctor and his wife about their religious faith?

10 commandments; baptism of youngest son; attendance at church

How do the Proctors answer Hale's questions/allegations?

answer 9/10 commandments; don't like Parris's preaching

Charge against Martha Corey

reading other than Bible

charge against Rebecca Nurse

killing babies supernaturally

What theological argument does Hale use to explain the cause of events in Salem?

God punishes Salem because of some huge, unknown sin (John's affair)

What conflict does John Proctor face at the end of Act II?

Elizabeth is being taken to jail

What is the setting of Act II?

John's house

How is the setting different/similar to the first act in mood?

anger instead of worry/ chaotic

John says "Pray now for a fair summer" irony

everything will be fine with time

Mary's poppet irony

innocence used to condemn

Proctor's reliance on Cheever irony

Cheever arrests Elizabeth

Wrong Commandment reciting irony

adultry = John's affair

"Good, then her saintliness is done with" irony

Abigail is truly corrupted and John realizes truth

"The man's ordained, therefore the light of God is in him" irony

Parris is materialistic

"Pontius Pilate! God will not let you wash your hands of this" allusion

Hale is the guy who arrested Jesus; girls are Jesus' acusors; witches are falsely accused like Jesus

How does the introduction in Act II cause suspense?

It is tense

How does Mary increase tension in beginning of Act II?

Elizabeth is accused

What further increase of suspense results from Hale's visit and reasons for it?

adultry

Where does the tension peak in Act II?

Cheever arrives w/ warrant

Are there hints in Act II that Hales will develop into a dynamic character?

He is beginning to believe Proctor

Who are the protagonist and antagonist?

John & Abigail

What hints in Act II lead to the resolution of the conflict?

It will happen in court; affair will be revealed