Background
What literary term describes the type of story The Crucible is as it relates to McCarthyism and the Red Scare?
An allegory.
This character is motivated by greed - he wants the land of neighboring farms in Salem.
Thomas Putnam
Who said: “Oh, how many times he bid me kill you, Mister Parris!”
Tituba
Why does Giles Corey not want to name those who signed the petition in court?
Because he feared they too would be punished.
What factors contributed to the hysteria of the Salem Witch Trials?
Neighborly conflicts, greed, distrust of outsiders, fear of punishment, fear of the devil, poor leadership, belief in the supernatural (what can't be seen), pressure to conform
In Act 2 of The Crucible, this character's change symbolizes how a little power can make you act differently towards others.
Mary Warren
What makes Tituba confess to Hale of witchcraft?
He said: "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 her."
Reverend Hale
What is the commandment that Proctor forgets?
Adultery
He was targeted as a movie director for having communist ties and ultimately blacklisted. He was held in contempt of court for not naming names.
Why were Sarah Good and Sarah Osbourne first accused of withcraft in town, after Tituba?
They were considered social outcasts.
What does Elizabeth Proctor's character symbolize in the story?
Who said: ""Where is my wood? My contract provides I be supplied with all my firewood. I am waiting since November for a stick, and even in November I had to show my frostbitten hands like some London beggar!"
Reverend Parris
Why was Rebecca Nurse accused?
She was a midwife who helped deliver Goody Putnam's babies who died.
What did it mean to be a City on a Hill?
This was a term given to the members of the Massachusetts Bay Colony who came from England for religious freedom; they were expected to be the model theocracy to which others would imitate their own lives.
What does Reverend Hale do at the end of the play (not the film) which shows how his character has fully changed?
He quit the court and then proceeds to convince John to save his life while criticizing the court.
Why did Mary Warren agree to go with John Proctor to confess it was all "sport"?
Fear of John Proctor/realization it's all gone too far.
"Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies!"
John Proctor
Why did Ezeekial Cheever come to the Proctors house?
To search it for a poppet.
Explain what herd mentality is and how it affected Salem in 1692.
The fear and accusations spread rapidly as individuals join in to protect themselves, avoid suspicion, or align with the majority, even at the cost of innocent lives.
This character, from the beginning, is incredibly good and questions whether the girls are really telling the truth or just playing.
Rebecca Nurse
What motivates Abigail Williams to manipulate others and accuse innocent people of witchcraft?
Abigail is motivated by fear of punishment for her actions in the forest and her desire to protect herself, as well as her obsession with John Proctor and her wish to eliminate Elizabeth Proctor to take her place.
"We burn a hot fire here; it melts down all concealment!" is said by...
Judge Danforth
Why won't Danforth release Proctor when he realizes he is not confessing truthfully, but to save is life?
He doesn't want to undermine the authority of the court or admit the court could be wrong.