Characters
Who is Reverend Parris's niece?
Abigail Williams
What is a character's hidden meaning beneath spoken words called?
Subtext.
What are the girls doing in the woods before the accusations begin?
Dancing; they are involved in a forbidden gathering
What emotion spreads throughout Salem and fuels the accusations?
Fear
In what Massachusetts town does the play take place?
Salem.
Who is John Proctor's wife?
Elizabeth Proctor
What is a recurring image, idea, or symbol in a work called?
A motif.
What illness causes concern at the beginning of the play?
Betty Parris is ill and unresponsive.
What does Parris worry about losing throughout the play?
His reputation and position in Salem.
In what year do the events of the play take place?
1692
Who is the enslaved woman who is accused of practicing witchcraft?
Tituba
What type of irony occurs when the audience knows something a character does not?
Dramatic irony
What do the girls begin doing to avoid punishment?
Accusing others of witchcraft.
How does Abigail use the trials to pursue her personal goals?
She uses accusations to gain power and attempts to remove Elizabeth.
What happened to Giles Corey when he refused to enter a plea during his witchcraft case?
He was pressed to death with heavy stones.
Who is the judge who presides over the witch trials?
Deputy Governor Danforth.
What does the title The Crucible suggest symbolically?
A severe test or trial that reveals people's character under pressure.
Why is Elizabeth Proctor arrested?
Abigail accuses her of witchcraft, using the poppet and needle as supposed evidence.
What theme is shown when people accuse others to protect themselves?
Self-preservation, dishonesty, or the abuse of power.
What does persecution mean?
Treating someone cruelly or unfairly because of their beliefs or identity.
Who risks his reputation by confessing to his affair with Abigail?
John Proctor
How does Miller use the Salem trials as an allegory for McCarthyism?
The play parallels how fear and suspicion can lead to accusations, persecution, and punishment without reliable evidence.
What does John Proctor do in court to expose Abigail's motive?
He confesses to adultery/lechery with Abigail.
How does John Proctor's final decision demonstrate integrity?
He refuses to falsely confess publicly, choosing to preserve his name and principles.
How did the lack of reliable evidence contribute to the Salem witch trials?
Suspicion, rumors, and spectral evidence were treated as proof, leading to wrongful accusations and convictions.