The Crucible- Act 1

Author of the Crucible

Arthur Miller

- Who is selfish, bossy and paranoid about his reputation?

- Leader of the Salem Church

Parris

- Reverend Parris' daughter

- Fell very ill after an evening frolicking in the woods

- Had to listen to everyone talking around her as she was inert in bed

Betty

The caring, devoted and subservient servant to the Parris family

Tituba

- Reverend Parris' beautiful 17-year old niece who is selfish, defensive, and a liar

- Wants to take Elizabeth Proctors place

Abigail

Lost 7 children to childbirth and is looking for revenge

Goody Ann Putnam

Well to do, bitter landowner

Thomas Putnam

Abigail's merciless friend, the Putnam servant

Mercy Lewis

Abigail's subservient friend who is now the Proctor's servant

Mary Warren

72 year old feeble, gentle, charitable woman

Rebecca Nurse

Husband of Rebecca Nurse

Francis Nurse

83 year old man who offers comic relief

Giles Corey

Wife of Giles Corey

Martha Corey

Wife of John Proctor

Elizabeth Proctor

What were the main points of the conflict between Parris and Proctor?

-Parris' preaching

-Proctor's "rebel" posse

-Money

-Proctor thinks he should have a little more input from the town- he wants representation

What was the main conflict between Putnam and Proctor?

-The dispute was mostly about LAND!

-Lumber and land- Putnam's grandfather willed land he did not own

In what year did the play take place?

1692

What were Betty and Abigail doing in the forest when Reverend Paris frightened them?

Dancing and conjuring spirits with Tituba

What do the Putnam's and Reverend Parris have in common?

They both have sick or bewitched daughters

What mission did Abigail have concerning the wife of John Proctor?

Get rid of her so she could be with John Proctor

What mission did Thomas Putnam have?

To right the wrongs that had been done to him and his family

Why did Mrs. Putnam send her daughter to Tituba?

To have her conjure the spirits of the 7 dead Putnam babies

Who did Betty call for when she awakened, and what did she try to do?

Her dead mother/ fly out of the window

What does Giles Corey's wife do that disturbs him?

She reads from a "strange book" that she hides from him

When Reverend Hale questions Tituba, what is her response?

That she "did not truck with no devil"- She does not associate with the Devil. She later breaks down and confesses and names supposed witches of Salem.

Abigail and Betty are _____?

cousins

Why does Paris suggest calling Reverend Hale?

Reverend Hale is a specialist in demonology and witches. Paris sends for him because the doctor in Salem cannot account for Betty's illness

What does the conversation between Abigail, Mercy Lewis, Mary Warren, and Betty reveal about their recent activities?

They were in the woods together dancing and performing rituals

What is John Proctor's profession?

○ A farmer

What is John Proctor's relationship to Abigail?

He had an affair with her

How does John Proctor feel about his relationship with Abigail?

He wishes he had not had an affair with her, He says he would "cut off his hands" before touching her again. He wants her to "wipe it out of mind"

Who is the "Nervous Nelly" of the Crucible? She is afraid of "being whipped for dancin' and the other things.

Mary Warren

How does Abigail feel about her relationship with Mr. Proctor?

She is obsessed with him. She thinks he sweats "like a stallion" when she is near

Why has Reverend Parris sent for a doctor at the beginning of the play?

Reverend Parris's daughter, Betty, is ill, and he believes her illness to be of "natural"—not "unnatural"—cause. He wants to have a doctor examine Betty to provide a more natural explanation for her sickness in an attempt to crush rumors of witchcraft.

What is Parris' main concern?

His reputation

Is Parris worried about his daughter, Betty, or someone or something else?

He is more worried about other people and how they will view him if his daughter is suspected of witchcraft.

What did Rev. Parris see in the woods the previous night?

Reverend Parris claims to have seen Tituba waving her hands over a fire and speaking gibberish as if she was trying to conjure up spirits. He also claimed to have seen a dress on the grass and a girl running naked through the trees.

What threat does Abigail make to Mary Warren, Mercy Lewis, and the other girls?

Abigail threatens to hurt the girls if they confessed to what actually happened in the forest.

What happened in the past between John Proctor and Abby? How does each feel about this situation now?

In the past John Proctor and Abigail had an affair. Proctor now wants to leave it in the past and end it while Abigail does not want to give up on their relationship.

How does John Proctor feel about Rev. Parris?

John Proctor does not like Reverend Parris for many reasons. John is not afraid to share his feelings about Parris directly. John thinks that Parris does not mention God nearly enough during his sermons so people are not coming as often to church. John Proctor also tells Parris that he feels that the community should have more input and representation. Finally, when Parris complains about his salary for being the Reverend, Proctor tells him that he is greedy.

What is the function of Rebecca Nurse in the play? Is she a voice of reason or of hysteria?

Rebecca Nurse's role in the community is to be the voice of reason throughout all the chaos of the time. She is a very charitable woman and she genuinely cares for those she meets.

Why has Reverend Hale been called to Salem?

Reverend Hale was called to Salem because Parris summoned him so that he could find out what was wrong with his daughter Betty. She had passed out in the woods and when she was "awake" she had mentioned flying to her mother. Also, she had flinched at the name of God.

When Reverend Hale begins questioning Abigail, whom does Abigail initially accuse of conjuring spirits? Why is this figure an "easy target"?

Abigail chose to blame Tituba because she is an easy target. Tituba is an easy target because she is very caring and devoted to the Parris family so she would not speak ill of the family.

How does Rev. Parris treat Tituba? What ultimatum is Tituba given that leads her to confess to witchcraft?

Reverend Parris treated Tituba as a loyal servant for the most part, as long as she does her duties. Once Tituba is accused by Abigail, Parris gives her an ultimatum, that if she did not tell the truth he would punish her so she confesses and is cleansed by Reverend Hale.

Why do you think that Betty Parris joins Abby in the accusing of others at the conclusion of the play?

-Since the others were confessing, she decided to confess

-She was either faking it b/c she didn't know how to react or she was legitimately in shock because she was scared.

Since it is a religious-based government, the Puritan settlement is considered a _________.

theocracy

What does Goody mean?

short for Goodwife, the Puritan equivalent of Mrs.

"The time of the delusion?"

the era of the witchcraft accusations and trials

what are wardens?

officers appointed to keep order

Name that refers to the Devil?

Lucifer

What does Rev. Hale ask of Tituba after he determines that the Devil has his grip on her?

He asks her to confirm who she sees walking with the Devil when he appears. He believes she is chosen to identify the devils among Salem

Why did Abigail eventually confess??

Nobody was buying the girls' story so she decided to start accusing people so that it would keep some of the blame off of her

Who follows Abigail's lead in confessing?

Betty! She rises from her bed (thought to be free of the Devils grip) and she starts accusing people

Who does Giles Corey accidentally accuse of witchcraft?

His wife, Martha Corey #oops

What does Rebecca Nurse think of all the talk of witchcraft?

She thinks it is ridiculous

Who eggs on the presence of witchcraft in Salem?

The Putnam's

Who mentions that he is sick of Hell being mentioned in every argument?

John Proctor

What is the motivation for the girls accusations?

Their motivation is to save themselves