Act 1
What is the start of the play? Who do we see?
Betty in coma with Parris praying.
What is the relationship between John Proctor and Elizabeth Proctor?
Cold. In love, but not affectionate.
What is the climax of the play that occurs in the courtroom during Act 3?
Elizabeth lies that her husband was faithful to her.
What is the setting of Act 4?
The prison
What historical events inspired Arthur Miller to write "The Crucible"?
McCarthyism and the Red Scare
Describe the role of Reverend Parris in the Salem community.
The minister. Leader of the church and town.
What evidence does Mary Warren bring back from the court in Act 2?
39 people total are in jail; accused of witchcraft. Abigail means to accuse Elizabeth.
How does Proctor attempt to expose Abigail Williams' deceit?
He finally explains that he had an affair with Abby
How do the townspeople's attitudes change by Act 4?
They are unsure of the court and want to see the innocent set free.
How does Miller connect the Salem witch trials to McCarthyism?
People during the red scare were being hunted down by the US government
Who is the initial target of the girls' accusations in Act 1?
Tituba
How does tension build between John and Elizabeth Proctor?
Liz wants John to tell everyone about how Abby is a liar, but he is hesitant.
Who is Giles Corey, and what does he attempt to do in Act 3?
He is trying to prove that Putnum is abusing the system to kill his neighbors for their land.
What decision does John Proctor face in the final act?
Whether or not to lie to save his life.
What message about truth and integrity does Miller convey through the play?
It is important to be truthful or the community suffers.
What does the forest symbolize in the context of Salem?
Chaos. Terror. Sin.
What role does the poppet play in the accusations against Elizabeth?
There is a needle in the doll just like there is a needle in Abby.
What is problem John runs into at the end of Act 3?
He gets accused of being a witch and is arrested.
Discuss the consequences of the witch trials on the Salem community by Act 4.
So many people are arrested or executed that the town is in rotting shambles.
In what ways does the play serve as a critique of society?
Society will destroy itself when it has a mob mentality (cancel culture)
How does Miller introduce the theme of fear in Act 1?
Scared of being accused in the first place. Unsure of who the real witch is.
How does Miller depict the concept of justice in Act 2?
Our main characters aren't getting the justice they deserve. Justice is far from their reach.
Describe the impact of hysteria on the characters in Act 3.
Abby abuses the problem of chaos to win over the court in her favor.
How does Act 4 illustrate the theme of redemption?
John redeems his relationship with his wife
Describe how the play is a tragedy
Innocent lives are lost. People we like in the story are dying. We have pity on them