The Crucible Acts 1–4: Plot, Characters, and Vocabulary

What does Reverend Parris see in the forest?

The girls dancing and Tituba waving

What do the stage directions tell you about Abigail Williams?

Her uncle, Reverend Parris, makes her nervous

Why does Ann Putnam send her daughter Ruth to Tituba?

To speak to Ann's dead babies

What shows that Abigail thinks she knows more about the world than the other women in the village?

Her conversation with John Proctor

How does Reverend Hale show his education and authority?

By bringing books with him to Salem

What is Reverend Parris's main concern about his niece Abigail?

Her actions will reflect badly on him

What further increases the conflict in the plot of Act One?

Thomas Putnam's insistence that witchcraft exists in Salem

What problem in Salem encourages the people to turn against each other?

Some people are quick to take offense and sue others in court

What does Rebecca Nurse say will cure the girls' apparent illnesses?

The girls tiring of their silly behavior

What conclusion can you draw about Hale from his lines about finding 'no bruise of hell' upon Betty?

He wants no one to question his authority

What does Elizabeth explain to Proctor about confessing to witchcraft?

If people confess, they will be saved from hanging

What does Proctor know about Abigail?

She mentioned his name in court

Why is Elizabeth suspicious of Proctor?

He lied about seeing Abigail alone

Why does Elizabeth think Abigail has accused her of witchcraft?

Abigail wants to marry Proctor

What conclusion can you draw about Proctor after he forgets the commandment about adultery?

He feels guilty

What circumstance points to Abigail as the villain in the drama?

The needle in the poppet

What does Elizabeth's willingness to go with Cheever suggest about her?

She is strong

What does Proctor question as Elizabeth is being arrested?

If God's fingers are clean

What conflict drives the plot in Act Two?

John and Elizabeth Proctor's private war over Abigail

What do the stage directions tell you about Elizabeth?

She feels that she must be sad

Why is Proctor afraid to go to town to tell the court about Abigail?

He has no witness to Abigail's confession

What does Mary Warren say about those who confess to witchcraft?

They will be saved from hanging

What does Elizabeth fear when she finds her name mentioned in court?

Abigail wants Elizabeth to die so Proctor will be free to marry her

What conclusion can you draw about Hale from his lines about the Devil being 'a wily one'?

He is unsure of Rebecca Nurse's innocence

What reason does Proctor give for not attending church regularly?

Parris's greed interferes with his prayers

Why does Mary Warren refuse to go to court after Elizabeth is arrested?

She is afraid of being accused of witchcraft

Why do Giles, Proctor, and Francis come to the court?

To prove that their wives are innocent

What conclusion can you draw from Danforth's 'no road between' statement?

He is a serious judge

Why does Giles say George Jacobs is named as a witch?

Thomas Putnam wants George's land

How does the plot move forward through dialogue in Act Three?

Mary says that she can no longer lie

Why does Proctor finally tell about his affair with Abigail?

To save Elizabeth

What conclusion can you draw about Danforth from his response about the 'four hundred in the jails'?

He is offended that people question his authority

What does Giles say Putnam wants to do, driving the conflict forward?

Take George Jacobs's land

Why is Giles Corey afraid to reveal the names of his witnesses?

He is afraid that they will be arrested

What conclusion can you draw about Proctor from his 'dragon with five legs' response?

He is tired of defending ridiculous accusations without any real proof

To avoid being questioned about her accusations, what does Abigail suggest she will do?

Accuse Danforth of being possessed

Why does Danforth not want Hale in the jail?

Parris says Hale will start a riot

Why does Parris want Hale to come to the jail?

To help find Abigail

What behavior shows that something is bothering Parris?

He cries all the time (weeps constantly)

What evidence does Parris give that the townspeople do not support the trials?

People are too busy arguing over cows to come to the courthouse

How does Hale try to be a hero in this drama?

By trying to get people to confess

What does Danforth mean when he says 'I cannot pardon these when twelve are already hanged'?

He is unwilling to admit his mistakes

Why does Danforth insist that Proctor sign the confession?

The town must know that he has confessed

Why is Proctor angry after he signs the paper?

He refuses to be part of a lie

Which of Parris's actions shows that his conscience may be bothering him?

Weeping constantly

Why is Parris so concerned about the events rumored to be taking place in Andover?

He fears the disbelief in the trials will spread to Salem and cause a riot

How is Salem's situation different from other communities conducting examinations?

The people accused and scheduled for hanging in Salem are people of good character

What conflict between Danforth and Parris drives the plot forward in Act Four?

They argue about postponing the hangings

What do the stage directions tell you about Danforth?

He is only used to telling people what to do

Why does Hale ask Elizabeth to encourage Proctor to lie?

He does not want Proctor's children left as orphans

Why does Proctor refuse to say he saw anyone else with the Devil?

He does not want to ruin anyone's name

Why do 'wild terror and a boundless anger' rise within Proctor after he signs the confession?

He will not have his name used in a lie

Deference

The respect that an elder deserves; respect due a superior or elder

Corroborating

Supporting with evidence (or authority)

Trepidation

Apprehension

Iniquity

Wickedness

Anarchy

The absence of order

Dissembling

Hiding under a false appearance

Subservient

Useful in an inferior capacity

Ameliorate

To make better; to make more tolerable

Contentious

Quarrelsome; has a tendency to quarrel

Deposition

A written declaration; written testimony

Imperceptible

Extremely slight; so slight as to be barely noticeable

Effrontery

Shameless boldness; insolence

Immaculate

Having no stain or blemish; pure

Conciliatory

Agreeable; appeasing

Adamant

Unyielding; insistent about an opinion