Characters
Who is Reverend Parris’s niece?
Abigail Williams
What were the girls caught doing in the forest at the beginning of the play?
Dancing and pretending to conjure spirits.
Why does Abigail drink a charm of blood in the woods?
To kill Elizabeth Proctor.
In Act I, Abigail speaks with an “endless capacity for dissembling.” What does dissembling mean in this context?
Hiding the truth or lying.
When Proctor says, “We are only what we always were, but naked now,” what does “naked” symbolize?
Shame and vulnerability
Why did Elizabeth Proctor fire Abigail?
She discovered Abigail’s affair with John Proctor.
What does Abigail drink as a charm to kill Elizabeth Proctor?
Why does John Proctor hesitate to expose Abigail’s lies at first?
He fears that his affair will be revealed and ruin his reputation.
When Proctor says, “We are only what we always were, but naked now,” the word naked most likely connotes what?
Shame and vulnerability.
What type of irony is it when Elizabeth lies in court to protect John?
Situational
Dramatic
Verbal
It’s situational irony because Elizabeth is usually honest, but she lies to protect John — and the lie ends up condemning him.
Which character is an expert on witchcraft and comes to Salem to investigate?
Reverend Hale
Which Commandment does John Proctor forget during Hale’s visit?
He forgets the commandment against adultery.
Why does Tituba confess to practicing witchcraft and accuse others of being witches?
She confesses because she is threatened with death unless she admits and shifts blame to others.
In Act IV, Hale pleads with Elizabeth: “Life, woman, life is God’s most precious gift.” What does precious suggest?
Sacred and invaluable.
The “court” is called “blind.” What does that mean?
Ignores truth.
Who is the most respected woman in Salem, accused because of her reading habits?
Rebecca Nurse
Why does Proctor rip up his signed confession in Act IV?
He does not want to live dishonorably and lose his good name.
Why does Elizabeth lie in court about John’s affair?
She wants to protect John’s reputation, even though it ironically condemns him.
Miller describes Salem as a “theocracy.” Based on context, what does theocracy mean?
A government ruled by religious authority.
The girls screaming in court creates what mood?
Panic/fear.
Which character refuses to falsely confess and is pressed to death with stones?
Giles Corey
Why does Reverend Hale quit the court?
He realizes the accusations are driven by lies and hysteria, not truth.
Why does Danforth continue the executions, even when he doubts the girls’ honesty?
He fears admitting mistakes would destroy the court’s authority.
When Proctor shouts “God is dead!” the word dead most likely connotes what?
Hopelessness and loss of faith in justice.
Miller writes that “the town is ringing with accusations.” What’s personified?
The town.