Characters
Who is Rebecca Nurse?
An old, pious woman who is described as "the very brick and mortar of the church." Francis Nurse's wife.
What evidence supports the claim that Parris prioritizes his reputation?
He is not as concerned with Betty's health as with what it would look like for the minister's family to be touched by witchcraft
Name a character who is more concerned about their reputation than the greater good.
1. John in Act 1 and start of Act 2...but he's changing
2. Reverend Samuel Parris
3. Thomas Putnam
4. Deputy Governor Danforth (Act 3)
5. Marshal Herrick
6. Ezekiel Cheever
Place the comma(s): Max pass me the ball!
Max, pass me the ball!
What is the inciting incident of the play?
1. The girls discovered dancing in the woods
OR
2. The beginning of mass accusations at the end of Act 1
Who is Ezekiel Cheever?
A prominent clerk of the court. While he speaks kindly and gets along with most, he ultimately prioritizes serving the Puritan government.
How do we know Betty isn't really bewitched?
She speaks when it's just her and the girls in the room and she is freaked out that Abby drank blood.
Make a theme statement about power.
1. Power tends to corrupt those who possess it.
2. People often choose power over truth.
Place the comma(s): Before I leave for school I eat a bagel.
Before I leave for school, I eat a bagel.
Was Mary trying to frame Elizabeth? How do we know?
1. She is terrified
2. She defended Elizabeth in court
3. Abby was sitting next to her while she made the poppet, and she has more of a motive
How has Mary Warren changed throughout the play?
At first, she was anxious. Then, she gained confidence. Now, she is conflicted and nervous again.
How do we know Elizabeth knew about the affair?
1. She fired Abigail and no one knew why
2. She references John's conversation with Abby at the beginning of Act 2
Make a theme statement about fear.
Ex: When people are motivated by fear, they compromise their morals and the truth.
Place the comma(s): Good afternoon Jason how are you?
Good afternoon, Jason, how are you?
Describe how Salem is a theocracy.
1. There is no separation between Church and State.
2. People debate your trustworthiness based off of church attendance, observation of the Sabbath, children's baptisms, etc.
3. Religious leaders hold all the power.
Who is Judge Danforth? What is his character flaw? (Act 3)
He oversees the trials. He is somewhat of an antagonist...he values power, law, and reputation over true justice.
What evidence supports the claim that Elizabeth is moral and brave?
1. She willingly goes with Cheever
2. She organizes Mary to help with things as she's being taken away
3. She tells the truth that she doesn't believe in witches
4. She knows all her commandments
5. She says she won't be afraid when she is obviously scared
How is the motif of resentment present in the play?
1. Abby resents Elizabeth (jealousy)
2. John resents Mary (wife's arrest)
3. Thomas resents the Nurses (politics)
4. The Walcotts resent the Coreys (land)
5. Parris resents John (fear)
Name 3 words that could kick off an introductory clause.
After, when, because, once, if, ever, although, since, while
Summarize Act 1 in 10 words.
Includes: Betty faking, Abigail loves John, Putnam resentment, Parris protect reputation, etc.
How has Reverend Hale begun to change?
At first, he feels pride in being the witchcraft expert. However, as things escalate, he begins to soften. He starts to question if he's doing the right thing and if the law is truly justice-oriented.
What does John mean when he says, "We are what we always were in Salem, but now the little crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom, and common vengeance writes the law!" (Miller 73).
1. Salem was always sinful, now it's just being exposed
2. People are motivated by vengeance, not truth
3. Power is an opportunity to get what you want
4. The children are in control
How is The Crucible an allegory?
It compares the Salem Witch Trials of the 1690s with the Red Scare of the 1950s. The comparison emphasizes how fear and power create hysteria and harm.
What is a dependent clause?
A group of words that contains a subject and a verb, but does not make sense on its own.
Summarize Act 2 in 10 words.
Includes: domestic dispute, poppet, warrant, truth vs reputation, etc.