CHARACTERS
Who is the minister of Salem who discovers the girls in the forest?
Reverend Parris
What were the girls doing in the forest before Parris discovered them?
Dancing and participating in a ritual with Tituba.
What major emotion drives many of the characters in Act 1?
Fear
In what town does The Crucible take place?
Salem
Who says, "There is a faction that is sworn to drive me from my pulpit."
Reverend Parris
Who is Parris's niece and the former servant of John Proctor?
Abigail Williams
What happens to Betty after Parris discovers the girls?
She becomes unconscious/unresponsive and appears ill.
What theme is shown by the characters' concern about what others think of them?
Reputation
In what historical period does the play take place?
1692
What does John Proctor mean when he says he will not continue his relationship with Abigail?
He wants to end their affair and move on, although he feels guilty about what happened.
Who is the enslaved woman who was accused of practicing witchcraft?
Tituba
Why does Abigail deny that the girls were practicing witchcraft?
She wants to avoid punishment and protect herself.
What happens when fear spreads throughout Salem?
People begin accusing others of witchcraft without evidence.
What religion strongly influences Salem society?
Puritanism
What does Abigail's behavior toward the other girls reveal about her?
She is manipulative, threatening, and determined to protect herself.
Who is the respected older woman who believes Betty is not suffering from witchcraft?
Rebecca Nurse
What does Abigail threaten the other girls with if they reveal what happened?
She threatens to hurt them.
What is mass hysteria?
A situation in which fear and panic spread through a group, causing people to act irrationally.
Why is dancing considered a serious problem in Salem?
Puritan society has strict religious rules, and dancing in the forest is associated with sinful or possibly supernatural behavior.
Why is Reverend Parris so concerned about the rumors surrounding his daughter and niece?
He is afraid the rumors will damage his reputation and position as minister.
Which character had an affair with Abigail and now feels guilty about it?
John Proctor
What happens after Tituba confesses to witchcraft?
She begins naming other people as witches, causing the accusations to spread.
How does Miller show that fear can give people power over others?
Characters use accusations of witchcraft to threaten, control, or protect themselves.
How does Salem's strict religious society contribute to the events of Act 1?
Because people are expected to follow strict religious rules, unusual behavior is easily viewed as sinful or connected to the Devil.
What does Abigail accuse Elizabeth Proctor of doing?
Abigail accuses Elizabeth of using witchcraft against her.