Crazy Old Men
This Reverend is the minister of Salem’s church and is worried about his reputation.
Parris
What is hysteria?
Mass fear and panic.
Rebecca Nurse is known for what?
Her good nature/good morals.
Why do the Putnams accuse others of witchcraft?
For land/greed.
She is the niece of Reverend Parris and the main instigator of the witchcraft accusations.
Abigail Williams
Reverend Parris is mostly concerned about this personal aspect during the crisis.
Reputation.
How does fear begin to spread among the characters in Act 1?
Many fear for their reputations, and some fear for their lives becoming endangered.
He is a farmer who openly criticizes the witch trials and hates hypocrisy.
John Proctor
Who offended the Putnams?
Francis Nurse/The Nurse family.
What is McCarthyism?
A political ideology that relates the Red Scare to the Salem Witch hunts.
What role does Reverend Parris play in the community, and how do others perceive him?
He is the town minister, and many people believe him to be greedy and selfish.
How does the setting influence the tone of Act 1?
Things are tense due to the many struggles Puritans faced during the 1800s.
How does Abigail’s relationship with John Proctor complicate the story?
It brings to light a personal motif for Abigail's actions. It makes her greedy for Proctor's attention.
What did Abigail do that was different than the other girls?
Drank a charm to kill John Proctor's wife.
She tries to tell the truth about the girls and the dancing, but is accused of witchcraft and is forced to defend herself.
Tituba.
Giles accuses who of witchcraft and why?
His wife due to reading books.
What do we learn about the social hierarchy in Salem?
People gain power through their reputations and by owning land.
Why does Reverend Hale arrive in Salem, and what is his initial approach to the situation?
He comes at the request of Reverend Parris and looks at things logically instead of superstitiously.
Why don't the girls speak the truth about what happened?
They are afraid of Abigail and her threats against them.
What is Ann Putnam's reason for being involved with Parris' situation?
She believes her midwives are the reason her children died at childbirth.
What role does Giles play in ACT 1?
Comedic relief.
How does Arthur Miller introduce the theme of hysteria in the opening scene?
How are truth and lies intertwined in Act 1?
Abigail only tells some of the truth, using lies to keep herself safe.
How does the social structure of Salem enable acts of vengeance to escalate?
It allows once powerless people to take charge against the town authorities and other individuals. They can achieve what they want.
How do the characters’ reactions to the accusations reflect their personalities?
Abigail: Selfishness
Parris: Selfishness
Tituba: Fear/need for survival