The Crucible - MS. KEELER



1. Describe the setting for Act I.

2. “At the time of these events Parris was in his middle forties. In history he cut a villainous path, and there is very little good to be said for him. He believed he was being persecuted wherever he went, despite his best efforts to win people and God to his side. In meeting, he felt insulted if someone rose to shut the door without first asking his permission.”

a. Based on this description of Reverend Parris, what can we expect from his character?

3. What did the Puritan people associate with forest?

4. Look at the bottom of page 7 through the top of page 8. The text discusses three “opportunities” presented by the witch hunt. What are these “opportunities”?

5. When Abigail Williams enters for the first time, she is described as “a strikingly beautiful girl, an orphan, with an endless capacity for dissembling.”

a. How might her beauty and her “endless capacity for dissembling” assist her throughout the witch hunt?

6. Reverend Parris is concerned about Betty’s health. He is also concerned about something else—what?

7. Reverend Parris asks Abby, “Your name in the town—it is entirely white, is it not?”

8. Abby replies, “There be no blush about my name.”

9. What does Reverend Parris suspect about his niece?

10. Reverend Parris keeps questioning Abby about what happened in the woods the night before; at this point in the play, what is does she tell Reverend Parris?

11. What are Betty’s bewitching symptoms? What are Ruth’s?

12. Our narrator tells us “…it is not surprising to find that so many accusations against people are in the handwriting of Thomas Putnam, or that his name is so often found as a witness corroborating the supernatural testimony, or that his daughter led the crying-out at the most opportune junctures of the trials…”

a. Why might the reader concluded that Ruth Putnam (Thomas’ daughter) might be faking her bewitching symptoms? How might this benefit the Putnam family?

13. What does Ann Putnam think happened to her seven babies?

14. What do Mr. and Mrs. Putnam suggest is wrong with Ruth Putnam and Betty Parris?

15. Who is Mercy Lewis?

16. Mary Warren, the Proctor’s new servant, wants to tell the truth about the night before. What does she fear?

17. Betty states, “You did, you did! You drank a charm to kill John Proctor’s wife! You drank a charm to kill Goody Proctor!” Why would Abby drink a charm to kill Goody Proctor?

18. What do we learn about John Proctor on pages 20-21?

19. Judging by their words and actions, what are Abby and John’s feelings for each other?

20. John Proctor asks Abby about what happened in the woods the night before—what does Abby say?

21. What is the general opinion of the Nurse family?

22. What does the text tell us happens to Rebecca Nurse? Whose family is behind it?

23. We can now piece together some of what happened the night in the woods. What all happened?

24. Rebecca Nurse says, “Pray calm yourselves. I have eleven children, and I am twenty-six times a grandma, and I have seen them all though their silly seasons and when it come on them they will run the Devil bowlegged keeping up with their mischief. I think she’ll wake when she tires of it.” What is Rebecca Nurse’s reasoning for Betty and Ruth’s behavior?

25. Why doesn’t John Proctor go to church? Why isn’t this a good time to be saying something like this?

26. What does Parris say about his supply of firewood? What does Parris say about the deed to his house?

a. What do these comments say about his personality?

27. Over what are Mr. Putnam and John Proctor arguing?

28. What happened to the witch Reverend Hale found in his parish?

29. Look at the stage directions on page 36. How does Reverend Hale enter for the first time?

30. How does Reverend Hale immediately know who Rebecca Nurse is?

31. Reverend Hale says, “We cannot look to superstition in this. The Devil is precise; the marks of his presence are definite as stone, and I must tell you all that I shall not proceed unless you are prepared to believe me if I should find no bruise of hell upon [Betty Parris].”

a. Translate Reverend Hale’s statement.

b. Predict: Will the people follow his instruction? Explain.

32. What did Giles say about his wife? How might these words come back to haunt him?

33. Why is it “probable” that Mrs. Corey stopped his prayers?

34. What does Giles Corey say about the word “fright”?

35. What is Hale’s reasoning for the Devil being in Reverend Parris’ house?

36. Abby keeps telling Parris and Hale that everything “were pretense” and that nothing happened in the woods. She suddenly turns on Tituba and tells them that Tituba did all of these things. Why?

37. Tituba says that she is innocent. Putnam says she must be hanged and she suddenly confesses. Why?

38. Tituba points her finger and blames other people. Why?

39. Who does she blame? Who are these people?

40. After Tituba confesses Hale tells her, “You are God’s instrument put in our hands to discover the Devil’s agents among us. You are selected, Tituba, you are chosen to help us cleanse our village. So speak utterly, Tituba, turn your back on him and face God—face God, Tituba, and God will protect you.”

a. Explain Reverend Hale’s words here…What are the benefits to admitting to witchcraft?

41. Abby suddenly jumps in and blames people. Think about what Reverend Hale said to Tituba (see number 5); why might Abby blame people? What is she planning to do?

42. Betty suddenly wakes up and starts blaming people too. Why?

Act I

Interpreting Meaning

Cumulative Questions

1. What is the meaning of crucible in the title of the play? What does crucible mean? What kind of play does this title lead you to expect?

2. One of Miller's major subjects in the play is the nature of authority. Comment on how Reverend Parris, Thomas Putnam, Reverend Hale, and Rebecca Nurse are linked with the idea of authority in Act One. At this stage, what seems to be the playwright's opinion about each of these character's claims to possessing authority?

3. How would you describe the atmosphere or mood at the beginning and the end of this act? What might this atmosphere foreshadow about future events in the town of Salem?

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