Character & Motivation
Which character's jealousy and desire for revenge drives much of the conflict in the play?
Abigail Williams
Which theme is most central to The Crucible?
Mass hysteria and how it influences the individual and society
Reputation and integrity
Which dramatic convention occurs when the audience knows Abigail is lying but the characters do not?
Dramatic irony
When Abigail deflects blame by accusing others of witchcraft, which fallacy is at work?
Red Herring
The repeated references to “light” and “darkness” throughout the play function as:
A. Motifs symbolizing truth versus deception
B. Foreshadowing of night scenes
C. Literal stage directions for lighting
D. Comic relief devices
A. Motifs symbolizing truth vs. Deception
Based on what we know from Mary Warren's behavior in Act 3. What emotion does she appear to be motivated by?
Fear of authority and peer pressure
What does the poppet symbolize in the play?
Manipulation of innocence
false evidence
In the beginning of Act 2, when John and Elizabeth are talking over dinner they have discussion. What is the rhetorical effect of John’s line “It is winter in here yet”?
reflect emotional coolness between him and Elizabeth
What type of Literary device is Reverend Hale’s early statement that “The Devil is precise”
irony
In Act IV, when Proctor tears up his confession, the action primarily symbolizes:
A. The futility of rebellion
B. A rejection of the court’s authority and a reclaiming of integrity
C. Submission to social order
D. A sign of confusion
B. Rejection of the court's authority and a reclaiming of integrity
John Proctor’s greatest internal conflict revolves around what issue?
his guilt and struggle between integrity and self-preservation?
When Elizabeth says, “The magistrate sits in your heart that judges you,” what theme is revealed?
personal guilt
moral conscience
Why does Miller include commentary and asides in his stage directions?
o clarify motives and provide moral commentary for readers
Proctor’s line “God is dead” is an example of what rhetorical device?
metaphor, representing the death of justice in Salem.
How does Miller’s choice to open the play with detailed stage directions about Salem’s history and Parris’s character contribute to author’s craft?
A. It interrupts the narrative flow.
B. It establishes social context and foreshadows the town’s moral decay.
C. It minimizes the importance of character motivation.
D. It suggests a lack of authorial control.
B. Establishes social context and foreshadows the town's moral decay.
How does Reverend Hale’s motivation change from Act I to Act IV?
confident witch-hunter to remorseful skeptic.
What does the repeated imagery of the forest represent in Puritan society?
Wild
Unknown,
sin & temptation
How does Proctor’s final monologue in Act IV illustrate his transformation?
His words reveal his acceptance of truth, moral redemption, and reclaiming of integrity.
The court’s reasoning “If you deny witchcraft, you are lying—and lies prove you serve the devil” is which fallacy?
circular reasoning
Which of the following best describes how syntax (sentence structure) in Proctor’s final speech contributes to meaning?
A. Long, repetitive phrases convey emotional turmoil and sincerity.
B. Short, clipped phrases indicate disinterest.
C. Parallel structure reveals calm acceptance.
D. Passive voice suggests weakness.
A. Long, repetitive phrases convey emotional turmoil and sincerity
Who serves as John Proctor’s foil, highlighting his moral conflict and development?
Reverend Hale
While being pressed to death, Giles Corey says, "More Weight." What does this symbolize?
Moral strength and defiance in the face of injustice
How does Miller use repetition of accusations to build the theme of mass hysteria?
Repeated confessions and finger-pointing show how fear spreads uncontrollably.
In Act IV, Elizabeth says, “He have his goodness now.” How is “goodness” used symbolically here?
It symbolizes moral redemption and integrity rather than social reputation.
When characters assume that every misfortune must be caused by witchcraft, this represents which type of faulty reasoning?
A. Slippery slope
B. False cause
C. Circular reasoning
D. Bandwagon appeal
B. False Cause