Characters
This young girl is the niece of Reverend Parris and the leader of the group of girls accusing others of witchcraft.
Who is Abigail Williams?
The play begins with the girls being discovered dancing in the woods. What were they attempting to do?
What is cast spells or summon spirits (or to get boys in the village to fall in love with them)?
"Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life!" Who says this?
Who is John Proctor?
John Proctor has a long-standing feud with this powerful Salem minister.
Who is Reverend Parris?
The Crucible is an allegory for this 20th-century political event.
What is McCarthyism (the Red Scare)?
This man, a minister from Beverly, is initially a strong believer in witchcraft but later denounces the trials.
Who is Reverend Hale?
What commandment does John Proctor forget when asked to recite them, and why is this ironic?
What is "Thou shalt not commit adultery," because he has committed adultery with Abigail?
Who says, "I saw Goody Osburn with the Devil! I saw Bridget Bishop with the Devil!" and what is happening in this moment?
Who is Abigail Williams, and she is accusing others to divert attention from herself?
This couple is jealous of the Nurses because of their many children.
Who are the Putnams?
Why does Danforth refuse to postpone or cancel the hangings, even when it becomes clear the trials were flawed?
What is because it would make the court look weak and question its previous rulings?
This character is a highly respected elderly woman in Salem who is accused of witchcraft due to jealousy and land disputes.
Who is Rebecca Nurse?
Why does John Proctor struggle with confessing to witchcraft at the end of the play?
What is because he wants to keep his name and integrity?
What does Elizabeth Proctor mean when she says, "He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him"?
What is that John Proctor has chosen to die with honor rather than lie to save himself?
Why does Abigail Williams despise Elizabeth Proctor?
What is because Abigail had an affair with John Proctor and wants to take Elizabeth’s place?
What is the significance of the final line of the play, spoken by Elizabeth Proctor?
What is only one and God may judge themselves and their actions?
This character is pressed to death with large stones after refusing to enter a plea.
Who is Giles Corey?
What is the significance of the poppet found in Elizabeth Proctor’s home?
What is that Abigail uses it to frame Elizabeth for witchcraft by planting a needle in it?
"We cannot look to superstition. The Devil is precise." What does this reveal about Reverend Hale’s initial attitude toward the trials?
What is that he believes in a methodical, rational way of detecting witches, showing his early confidence in the court?
Which two characters argue over land ownership, leading to accusations of witchcraft?
Who are Giles Corey and Thomas Putnam?
Arthur Miller wrote The Crucible during the 1950s as a response to what specific real-life government entity?
What is the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) investigations?
This wealthy and vindictive Salem resident uses the trials to increase his landholdings.
Who is Thomas Putnam?
The Crucible is set in this year and town.
What is 1692, Salem Massachusetts.
"Let either of you breathe a word, or the edge of a word, about the other things, and I will bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder you." What does this reveal about Abigail?
What is that she is manipulative, violent, and willing to threaten even her closest friends to maintain control?
This character tries to expose the truth in court but ultimately betrays John Proctor out of fear.
Who is Mary Warren?
What is the significance of the name The Crucible?
What is, it is a vessel in which things are heated to a high temperature (often under pressure) representing the pressure in Salem.