Characters
This character is most worried about his reputation
Who is Parris?
Abigail lies mainly to avoid this
What is getting in trouble/punishment?
This theme drives people to make accusations
What is fear?
Where the girls were dancing
What is the forest?
This character had a past relationship with Abigail.
Who is John Proctor?
Proctor hesitates to expose Abigail because of this
What is his reputation/past affair?
This theme explains why characters care about their image
What is reputation?
What happens to Betty at the beginning
What is becoming unresponsive?
Why fear spreads quickly in Salem
People accuse others to protect themselves
This character is brought in as an expert on witchcraft
Who is Reverend Hale?
Parris fears this group may try to remove him
What is a faction in the church/town?
This theme explains Abigail’s rise in influence
What is power?
What Tituba admits to
What is working with the Devil (confession)?
Why Abigail becomes powerful
She controls fear and accusations
This character is blamed early and confesses under pressure
Who is Tituba?
The girls accuse others to gain this
What is power/control (and protection)?
This theme explains why truth is hidden
What is fear or reputation?
What happens at the end of Act 1
multiple accusations begin
What Proctor’s silence leads to
More accusations / Abigail gaining power
This character’s internal conflict in Act 1 creates a major obstacle to stopping the accusations before they begin.
Who is John Proctor?
(He knows the truth about Abigail but hesitates to expose it)
“Let either of you breathe a word…”
Question: Why does Abigail say this?
To control the girls
How does Act 1 show that the real danger in Salem is not witchcraft, but something else? Explain.
The real danger is fear, hysteria, and the desire for power/reputation, which lead people to make false accusations and abandon reason.
Why is Salem especially vulnerable to hysteria in Act 1?
Expected ideas:
Strict society
Reputation-focused
Fear of punishment
Lack of questioning authority