The Basics
Who wrote The Crucible?
Arthur Miller wrote The Crucible.
Why is Betty lying unconscious?
No one is exactly sure, but likely she became ill after being caught dancing in the forest. She will not wake up and seems to be in a trance-like stat
What happened to Mrs. Putnam’s babies?
Seven of her eight children died shortly after birth.
Betty Parris is inert. What does this mean?
It means she is not moving.
What year was The Crucible published?
The Crucible was written in 1953.
What were the girls doing in the forest?
They were dancing. Tituba was chanting, and Abigail drank chicken blood in an attempt to cast a spell to kill Elizabeth Proctor.
Describe Reverend Parris.
Reverend Parris is self-centered, worried about status, and more concerned with reputation than spiritual leadership
What is a witch hunt?
It is an attempt to find and punish a particular group of people who are being blamed for something, often simply because of their opinions and not because they have actually done anything wrong.
In what town and state does The Crucible take place?
The Crucible takes place in Salem, Massachusetts.
What does Parris fear more than Betty’s illness?
He fears damage to his reputation and losing his position as minister.
Describe Abigail.
Abigail is beautiful and willing to lie to protect herself.
What is an allegory?
It is a literary device in which one story can be giving examples of another, bigger problem.
In what year does The Crucible start?
The Crucible starts in 1492.
What does Parris ask Abigail?
He asks her to tell him the truth about what happened in the forest and to deny any involvement in witchcraft.
Why might Mr. Thomas Putnam accuse someone of being a witch?
Mr. Putnam might accuse someone of being a witch in order to take his property and land.
Mary Warren is a subservient girl. What does this mean?
It means she willing to obey others unquestioningly.
What is the religious group that runs the town?
The religious group that runs the town is the Puritans.
Why was Abigail dismissed from the Proctor household?
Elizabeth Proctor fired her because she suspected Abigail of having an affair with John Proctor.
What does Abigail threaten to do to the girls if they tell Reverend Parris that she tried to make a potion?
Abigail threatens to kill them if they tell Parris about the potion.
What is a system of government in which religious people rule and others must follow the religious rule?
It is a theocracy.