“The Crucible” Study Guide Questions



“The Crucible” Study Guide Questions

ACT 1:

1. How would you describe Rev. Parris? List 3-4 phrases that describe him.

2. According to the author, what keeps the Puritans from losing their morals?

3. How does Rev. Parris feel about children?

4. What conflict exists between Rev. Parris and his niece Abigail?

5. Why is Parris uneasy at the beginning of Act 1?

6. What actions did Abigail, Betty & the others perform prior to the play’s beginning?

7. Why does Parris send for Rev. Hale?

8. Who was James Bayley, & what position had he desired?

9. What happened to Thomas & Ann Putnam’s family?

10. Why did Ann Putnam send Ruth to Tituba?

11. Explain the relationship between John Proctor and Abigail Williams.

12. Give several reasons why the Putnams resent the Nurses.

13. Explain the conflict between Proctor & Rev. Parris.

14. Why did Putnam oppose Proctor?

15. Describe Rev. Hale & his background.

Act 2:

1. Who is Mary Warren?

2. What do Elizabeth and John Proctor argue about at the beginning of this Act?

3. What object does Mary Warren give Elizabeth?

4. Who is Rev. Hale & what is his profession?

5. What does Rev. Hale accuse the Proctors of not doing?

6. What does Rev. Hale ask John to recite?

7. What error does John Proctor make?

8. What is important about the poppet?

9. Who is Ezekiel Cheever?

10. Whom does Cheever arrest besides Elizabeth Proctor?

Act 3:

1. What testimony about the girl’s behavior does Mary Warren give the court?

2. What sin does John Proctor admit that he committed?

3. How has Rev. Hale changed since the beginning of the play?

4. Why does Elizabeth lie about her husband’s relationship with Abigail Williams?

5. Explain what Abigail means when she says to Danforth:

“Think you be so mighty that the power of Hell may not turn your

wits? Beware of it!”

6. Why didn’t Elizabeth Proctor tell Danforth that Abigail was a harlot?

7. Why does Hale denounce the proceedings of the court?

8. Why is Francis Nurse terrified when Danforth insists on questioning

the people who signed the petition?

9. Why do you suppose that Mary Warren changed he testimony at the end

of this Act?

10. Why is Proctor arrested at the end of this Act?

Act 4:

1. What becomes of Abigail Williams and Mercy Lewis?

2. How is Giles Corey killed?

3. What is Parris’ real reason for wanting Proctor saved?

4. Why does Danforth refuse to postpone the hangings?

5. Why are cows running loose on the roads of Salem?

6. At the end of the play Elizabeth Proctor says that her husband John has

“his goodness now”. What does she mean by this?

7. Why does Rev. Hale urge people to confess to a lie?

8. What does John Proctor do when asked to sign a confession?

9. What reason did John Proctor give for making his choice?

10. The word ‘crucible’ means a severe test or trial. Why do you think

Arthur Miller chose to give his play this title? Explain your answer.

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