The Crucible Test

Study Guide for The Crucible

Plot and Background

·         Setting of the play: 1692 Salem, Massachusetts

·         The Crucible is an allegory for what historical event? McCarthyism, in which Americans who were accused of communism were placed on trial to either confess their political status or accuse others at risk of losing their jobs and reputations.

·         How did Arthur Miller’s feelings about McCarthyism? Arthur Miller detested McCarthyism and when placed in trial for infidelity, he refused to name any suspected communists.

·         What is the opening scene of the Crucible? Revered Parris’s house, his daughter is ill.

·         What does Dr. Griggs diagnose Betty Parris with? He doesn’t know what’s wrong with her and advises they look to unnatural causes

·         When speaking with her uncle privately, what does Abigail claim happened in the woods? They were just “sporting” or playing around

·         What news does Goody Putnam bring to Parris’s house? Her daughter Ruth is having the same sickness as Betty

·         What is Goody Putnam’s role in this situation? She sent Betty to Tituba to get answers about her seven dead babies

·         When Betty finally comes to, what does she accuse Abigail of doing? She accuses her of drinking a charm to kill Goody Proctor, John Proctor’s wife.

·         What evidence does Abigail use to support her threat to keep the girls quiet? She saw her parents murdered by Indians

·         When they’re alone, what does Abigail admit to John Proctor (Act 1)? The girls were dancing in the woods and there was no witchcraft

·         Why doesn’t John go to church? He doesn’t like Parris’s preaching

·         At the end of the Act (1), who accused whom of being a witch? Abigail accuses Tituba and Tituba confesses

·         True or False, John admitted the affair to Elizabeth? True

·         What word best describes the tone between John and Elizabeth in the first few pages of Act 2? Awkward and tense

·         Why did Mary Warren tell Elizabeth that she’s going to the court? She is an official of the court

·         Why doesn’t John think people will believe him when he calls Abigail a liar? Everyone considers her saintly, they were alone when she confessed, and he has no proof that she confessed.

·         What gift does Mary Warren give to Elizabeth when she comes home from court? A poppet she made.

·         What commandment did John forget? Thou shalt not commit adultery.

·         What does John mean when he says, “And why not, if they must hang for denying it?” People will do anything to save themselves.

·         Why is Elizabeth though to be guilty? They found a poppet with a needle in it.

·         True or False, Abigail set up Elizabeth to look guilty of witchcraft. True

·         What is the setting of Act 3? The courtroom

·         What type of evidence does Proctor, Nurse, and Corey bring to the court? They bring signatures of people saying their wives aren’t witches

·         Who is Judge Danforth referring to when he says, “Oh, it is a proper lawyer?” Giles Corey

·         Why does Giles Corey refuse to give Danforth a name in court? He does not want to bring harm to anyone

·         How does John find out that Elizabeth is pregnant? Judge Danforth tells him

·         What does Mary mean when she says, “it was pretense”? She was faking being possessed

·         What is Hale referring to when he says “It is a natural lie to tell”? Elizabeth lying about the affair to protect John

·         What happens to Mary that makes it seem like she is lying? She can’t faint

·         What does Elizabeth do at the court which shocks John? She lies about the affair

·         Who arrives at the beginning of Act 4? Reverend Hale

·         How does Parris’s behavior change in Act 4? He is sad, unsteady, sorrowful, and almost seems mad

·         In Act 4, what is Hale trying to do with the prisoners? He’s trying to get them to confess

·         What news is there about Abigail in Act 4? She robbed her uncle and disappeared

·         What happened at Andover (Act 4)? They threw out the court

·         Why does the court summon Elizabeth in Act 4? They want her to convince John to confess

·         As John and Elizabeth talk privately in Act 4, what does John decide to do? He’s going to confess

·         What does Elizabeth tell John happened to Giles Corey (Act 4)? They pressed him to death under heavy rocks because he wouldn’t confess

·         What makes John take back his confession in Act 4? They try to force him to sign his name

·         Why doesn’t Elizabeth try to convince John to save himself in the end? She knows this act will finally make it possible for John to forgive himself for adultery

·         Why Goody Good, Goody Osburne, and Goody Bishop were easily accused (scapegoats). They were poor and had bad social standings

·         What is the significance of the accusations of Martha Corey and Rebecca Nurse? Both women had good social standings and were accused due to vengeance

·         Corey brings a name to court (the accusation and the witness). He accuses Putnam of killing his neighbors for land, but will not state his witness. This highlights the theme of moral integrity versus societal corruption, demonstrating how even respected individuals can fall victim to the hysteria and manipulation present in Salem.