Characters
Who is the first person to confess to witchcraft?
Tituba
In what year and place does "The Crucible" take place?
1692 in Salem, Massachusetts
What event triggers the accusations of witchcraft in the play?
The accusations of witchcraft are triggered by the girls' dancing in the forest.
What is a motif?
a recurring element, like an image, symbol, idea, or phrase, that appears repeatedly throughout a text and reinforces a theme or idea.
"I quit this court!"
Reverend Hale
What is Reverend Parris most concerned about when his daughter, Betty, falls ill?
His reputation
What is "The Crucible" an allegory for?
For the Red Scare and McCarthyism
Why does Abigail Williams drink blood in the forest?
To place a curse on Elizabeth Proctor, hoping to kill her.
What do the witchhunts represent?
The dangers of mass hysteria and abuse of power
"I want to open myself! . . . I want the light of God, I want the sweet love of Jesus! I danced for the Devil; I saw him, I wrote in his book; I go back to Jesus; I kiss His hand. I saw Sarah Good with the Devil! I saw Goody Osburn with the Devil! I saw Bridget Bishop with the Devil!"
Abigail Williams
This person is well-respected elder in the community and refuses to confess to witchcraft.
Rebecca Nurse
What was the religion that the people of Salem belonged to?
Puritans
Why does Elizabeth Proctor lie in court, despite her usual honesty?
To protect John’s reputation by denying his affair with Abigail.
What happens with the poppet, and what does it symbolize in the play?
Mary Warren gives it to Elizabeth. Abigail sees she stuck a needle in it and fakes a needle in her own belly to frame Elizabeth for witchcraft.
The poppet is a symbol of false accusations and manipulation (from Abigail).
Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang! How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name!
John Proctor
Why does Proctor choose death rather than signing the confession?
He wants to preserve his integrity and refuses to live a lie.
What "danger" was Arthur Miller commenting on in writing about the Salem Witch Trials?
The dangers of false accusations and mass hysteria
What happens with Abigail Williams at the end of the play?
She steals money from Reverend Parris and runs away, reportedly boarding a ship.
Provide an example of the hot OR cold motif in the play.
COLD
John to Elizabeth - "It's winter in here yet", "Your justice would freeze beer"
Elizabeth to John - "It needs a cold wife to prompt lechery"
HOT
"I have a sense for heat John"
firewood = power
"More weight"
Giles Corey
What ultimately happens to Giles Corey?
He is pressed to death with large stones for refusing to enter a plea.
Identify three beliefs of the Puritans.
only a select few would be saved (predestination)
all people must live by the Bible
strict moral code which involved no drinking, swearing or “physical pleasure”
people are innately sinful and susceptible to evil (the devil)
What are the consequences of Mary Warren’s decision to testify against Abigail and the other girls?
The girls turn on her, accusing her of witchcraft, which leads Mary to betray John Proctor.
What is the "crucible" a symbol of?
The crucible is used a symbol for the heat of hysteria in Salem and the intense trials and tribulations that the characters face.
"You must understand, sir, that a person is either with this court or he must be counted against it, there be no road between. This is a sharp time, now, a precise time—we live no longer in the dusky afternoon when evil mixed itself with good and befuddled the world. Now, by God’s grace, the shining sun is up, and them that fear not light will surely praise it."
Judge Danforth