The Crucible Study Guide

"So now they and their church found it necessary to deny any other sect its freedom, lest their New Jerusalem be defiled and corrupted by wrong and deceitful ideas." What is the irony in that statement?

The Puritans themselves end up denying any other religion and became corrupt.

Explain how the witch-hunt years were a time of "general revenge."

Many people used the paranoia of the time to convict their enemies.

Tituba:

slave who makes a fake confession to escape the accusations of witchcraft

Abigail:

niece of Parris, was caught dancing in the woods

Betty:

faked being asleep then "awoke" when accusations began flowing

Why does Mrs. Putnam believe there are witches in Salem?

She's had seven children die

Why is Thomas Putnam bitter?

He believes his brother in law should have become minister instead of Parris

Parris says, "Oh, Abigail, what proper payment for my charity! Now I am undone!" What does that mean?

He's being sarcastic by saying that he properly deserved her involvement in shady acts (he really believes that he doesn't deserve it).

What is Mary's argument to Abby?

She wants them to confess

Proctor:

Farmer. Well-respected and liked. He's much like the other members of Salem who are concerned about their own well-being; however, he isn't as superstitious and quick to condemn witchcraft. He also feels guilty about his affair with Abby.

What happened between Abigail and John Proctor prior to the opening of the play?

They had an affair

What was the "sign" that Betty was bewitched?

She couldn't bare to hear the Lord's name

Francis

a judge in Salem, well respected

Rebecca Nurse

wife of Francis Nurse, seen as matriarch to many

Explain the political relationship between the Putnam and Nurse families.

They are fighting over wood and land. They both believe it's their own.

What did Rebecca do to Betty?

She stood over her and quieted her

What is Rebecca's explanation of the girls' behavior?

She thinks that Betty is just having a fit to gain attention

"There are wheels within wheels in this village and fires within fires." Explain.

Everyone is involved in everyone else's' business, and their problems escalate from there.

What is Proctor's reason for his not regularly attending church?

He says that Parris doesn't talk about God enough

What does Parris want?

He wants a good reputation and respect from the people

Giles says, "Think on it now, it's a deep thing, and dark as a pit." To what is he referring literally and symbolically?

He was saying that the town of Salem was becoming overrun with chaos and aggression

What do Putnam and Proctor argue about? What does this show?

How God is never mentioned in church, and the minister emphasises Hell and eternal damnation rather than the grace of God

Who is Rev. John Hale, and why does he come to Salem?

He is a renowned "witch hunter". The people of Salem want him to inspect their town and expose witchcraft

Hale says, "They [the books] must be [heavy]; they are weighted with authority." What is the significance of this remark?

It's meant to hint at the importance and value of the information in the books.

To what did Tituba confess? Why?

She confesses to being under the influence of the Devil to avoid punishment.

What do the girls do at the end of Act One?

They start accusing people

Where does Elizabeth want John to go, and what does she want him to do there?

The Salem court to tell the judges that Abby made up the accusations of witchcraft.

What is John's response to her prodding?

He refuses

What gift did Mary give Elizabeth?

A doll (poppet)

What was the "evidence" against Sarah Good?

She can't recite the commandments

Why doesn't Proctor want Mary to go back to court?

He doesn't want to get involved in the courts dealings

Why does Elizabeth think Abigail wants to kill her?

Because she thinks Abigail wants to steal her husband

Why did Hale come to Proctor's house?

Mrs. Proctor had been accused and Hale wanted to investigate. He wants to question them on their "Christian character."

What things are "suspicious" about Proctor and his family?

They don't come to church as often as they should, and one of their children isn't baptized

Hale asks Elizabeth if she believes in witches. What is her reply?

She says if he believes she is a witch, then she doesn't believe in witches.

On what charge(s) was Rebecca Nurse arrested?

For the supernatural murder of Goody Putnam's babies

Why does Cheever come to the Proctor house?

He has a warrant to search the house and arrest Elizabeth

Explain the significance of the needle in the "poppet."

It is like a voodoo doll; Abigail used the doll to frame Elizabeth.

What will happen to Proctor if he tries to discredit Abby?

She might accuse him of adultery

Why doesn't Mary want to testify about the doll?

She's afraid of Abby

Why do Giles and Francis want to talk to Danforth?

They want to rescue the innocent who have been arrested.

What is Parris's argument against Proctor?

That Proctor just wants to overthrow the court

What does Mary tell Danforth?

That she did not see any spirits and the girls have faked the affliction

When Danforth hears that Elizabeth is pregnant, what does he allow?

He allows time for the baby to be delivered

What paper did ninety-one people sign?

A statement of the innocence of their family and friends

". . . a person is either with this court or he must be counted against it, there be no road between." Explain the importance of Danforth's statement.

It it biased because it either condemns the accused without evidence or forces the accused to admit to the court something untrue

What quote did Proctor use to help Mary remain brave?

A quote from the Bible about having good conscience / courage - "Do that which is good, and no harm shall come to thee."

Of what does Giles accuse Putnam?

Accusing / trying to kill people off to take their land from them

What is Hale's problem as Proctor and his friends present evidence to Danforth?

He wants them to be given a lawyer to present their evidence professionally

Hawthorne thinks of a test for Mary. What is it? Can she do it? Why or why not?

That she fakes her fainting right then and there. She can't because she is put on the spot. It was easier when she could go along with the group of girls in the heat of the moment.

Proctor calls Abigail a w****, and he confesses his lechery. Danforth tests Proctor's statement by calling for Elizabeth and asking her why Abigail was dismissed. What does Elizabeth say? Why?

She does not tell the court that Abby was a harlot, because she does not want to ruin her husband's name. ("...it's a natural lie to tell...")

What do the girls do to Mary? What is her response?

They copy everything she says. Mary is overwhelmed and confesses to witchcraft

What happens to Proctor?

He is arrested

What does Hale do?

He quits the court

“You cannot hang this sort. There is danger for me.”

Reverend Parris; witch trials are nearing the end, & fear is heightened. Nurse & Proctor, two heavily respected people in the community, are at threat of being hung-- which would reflect badly onto him & his reputation. (Act 4)

“Uncle, we did dance…”

Abigail Williams; Abigail was caught dancing in the forest with the other girls, and confesses to her uncle (Parris), further stating that Betty is not a witch. (Act 1)

“They [the books] must be [heavy]; they are weighted with authority.” 

Reverend Hale; Hale states that the books are beyond simple books, and reflect a greater strength that only he understands fully due to how religious they are. (Act 1)

“She thinks to take my place, John.”

Elizabeth Proctor; said to John Proctor after she knows that the two of them have had an affair, and that she believes that Abigail is out to get her due to the fact that she wants him badly. (Act 2)

“Abby’ll charge lechery on you, Mr. Proctor!”

Mary Warren; she does not want Proctor to go to court against Abigail, as she will do anything in her power in order to not be found guilty-- will deflect the blame off of her onto him. (Act 2)

“Oh, Abigail, what proper payment for my charity! Now I am undone!”

Reverend Parris; he’s concerned with his reputation, worried that it was ruined after what Abigail has done, despite how nice he has been to her.

“It were pretense, sir.”

Marry Warren; the girls’ witchcraft was not real, and they were simply pretending (Act 3)

8. “Think on it now, it’s a deep thing, and dark as a pit.”

GIles Corey; talks about the potential darkness of the situation, which foreshadows how far the trials/accusations will go (Act 1)

9. “I have given you my soul; leave me my name!”

John Proctor; he doesn;t want to have to confess to witchcraft to save himself or else everything will be taken from him(?), and will not give into the dishonor (act 4)

10. “There are them that will swear to anything before they’ll hang; have you never thought of that?”

Reverend Hale; the confessions only occur in order for the accused to avoid punishment, as they do not want to lose their life over something they’ve never done (Act 1?)

11. “I denounce these proceedings, and I quit this court.”

Reverend Hale; John Proctor, a heavily respected man within the community, has just been accused of witchcraft, by these dumb ahh girls because of their various accusations-- gets to a point where he literally leaves the court bc they won't listen to him (act 3)