Characters
This character refuses to reveal the source who told him that Thomas Putnam had his daughter accuse an innocent neighbor of witchcraft to gain the neighbor's land. As a result, he was "pressed" to death with stones.
This appears to be Reverend Parris's primary concern in Act I of the play.
What is his job/reputation?
Mary Warren feels this way after becoming an "official of the court"
She likes the power and status she has now; her voice is heard and listened to in court.
This statement by Elizabeth sealed John's fate on whether Danforth would accept his testimony about Abigail lying...
What is denying John had an affair?
Elizabeth says that Abigail should be "ripped out of the world." How does this show of her temper hurt her?
Because the court may see that if she admits she dislikes Abigail, wishes her dead, or is jealous of her, then she just might be quite capable of using witchcraft "to send her spirit out on" on Abigail, which is what Abigail claimed.
This character is one of the first accused of witchcraft in the play; she supposedly conjured Mrs. Putnam's babies and confesses to witchcraft during a beating.
Who is Tituba?
Before the action of the play begins, Betty Parris, Abby, Marry Warren, and the other girls did what?
What is they danced over a fire in the woods; they conjured spirits of the dead and attempted to put curses on their enemies?
Reverend Hale is bothered by John Proctor not attending church consistently as well as one other spot of "softness" on John's church record: ________
What is he hasn't baptized his youngest child because he doesn't like Rev. Parris?
Elizabeth Proctor places blame for John's affair on this person: _____________
Who is herself for being so cold?
Identify what the allegory in The Crucible alludes to or represents?
What is McCarthyism, the Red Scare, Communist accusations in the 1950s
This character arrives in Salem to investigate charges of witchcraft as that is his area of expertise, but eventually begins to doubt the guilt of many of the accused.
Who is Reverend Hale?
Tituba ultimately confesses to witchcraft for this reason.
What is she is afraid of Abigail's accusations and to save her own life?
Mary Warren's poppet becomes important later when this happens...
Abigail stabs herself with a needle but says that Elizabeth used a voodoo doll to hurt her.
Though Elizabeth is in jail, this surprise will delay Elizabeth's hanging...
What is her supposed pregnancy?
Why does Rev. Hale return to the Salem jail after "quitting the court," and why is this ironic?
What is to plead with those accused to confess to witchcraft=something they didn't do...to save their lives? He is a minister, so encouraging people to lie goes against the commandments...we wouldn't expect a minister to do this=situational irony?
This character is a gentle old woman who is well-respected in town and suspects the girls will come to their senses when they tire of pretending; she was also a midwife to Goody Putnam.
Who is Rebecca Nurse?
What is she has lost 7 children and wants to blame her midwives for her loss?
John Proctor forgets this commandment when he is being questioned by Reverend Hale in his home. Why is this ironic?
What is adultery, and the irony is it is the commandment he has broken and he feels guilt for doing so?
Elizabeth does not try to convince John to lie to the court and say he is a witch. Why?
She knows that he finally forgives himself by not letting the court win..."he hath his goodness now."
This character offers John some cider at the end of the play as a gesture of forgiveness; his niece fled Salem out of fear of rebellion.
Who is Reverend Parris?
A Putnam asks Tituba if she saw Sarah Osborn "with the devil." Why?
What is Goody Osborn was one of Mrs. Putnam's midwives and her babies died...she wants to blame Sarah Osborn?
Martha Corey is arrested for this reason that relates to something that happened in Act 1.
What is she supposedly curses pigs with the books she reads?
Identify and explain two literary devices found in these two passages:
Proctor says, "Pontius Pilate! God will not let you wash your hands of this!"
AND
"My wife does not lie"...Elizabeth later tells her audience that John did not have an affair with Abigail.
What are allusions and irony?
What is it is ironic because the judge has been accepting lies throughout the court's proceedings, despite the fact that judges are supposed to be fair, objective, seek the truth, and uphold the law?