Characters
What is Reverend Parris most worried about when deciding what to tell people about his daughter’s illness?
His reputation and his job
Why did Tituba confess to meeting with the devil?
To save her own life
What was the one commandment John Proctor couldn’t remember?
Thou shalt not commit adultery
Who encouraged the girls to practice witchcraft by asking her daughter to have Tituba find out who had killed her babies?
100 extra points: Did she or her family face consequences?
Goody Putnam aka Ann Putnam
Her daughter was an accuser and her husband stood to gain lots of land. They did not face any consequences!
Where and when does the story take place?
Salem, Massachusetts in 1692
Who gave Elizabeth Proctor the poppet that was found in her home?
Mary Warren
What motivates Danforth’s decisions about how the court should handle various aspects of the cases?
He is very focused on preserving the reputation of the court
What is one thing that the Puritans couldn’t do that we can do now?
Watch theater
Dance
Work on Sundays
Why is the poppet (doll) important to the court?
Since it has a needle in the belly and Abigail acted as though she was stabbed in the belly with a needle, Elizabeth’s possession of the poppet is used to convict her.
Where were the girls doing in the forest?
Dancing and performing witchcraft to try to find out who killed Goody Putnam’s babies
Who is the witchcraft expert who worries he may have caused innocent people to be executed?
Reverend Hale
What does Abigail do near the end of the play?
She steals money from Reverend Parris and runs away with Mercy Lewis aboard a ship.
What did the first three women accused of witchcraft have in common?
They were outsiders
How many of Goody Putnam’s children die in childbirth?
Seven
What is a crucible?
A severe test by heat or pressure
A container that metals are melted in to remove impurities.
Why does Giles Corey refuse to speak when they press him to death with stones?
If he doesn’t answer the charges at all his sons can inherit his property, but if he confesses or pleads not guilty the court can take his property.
Why does John Proctor refuse to allow his confession to be posted?
Because he worries that in confessing he supports the court and helps it persecute others; plus it would ruin his reputation and that of his family
Name one reason the Salem Witch Trials may have happened (not actual witchcraft).
Ergot poisoning
Mass hysteria
Political Power
Land grabs
What is Thomas Putnam’s personality like?
He is bitter and vindictive, holds grudges for a long time and acts against others, and also greedy and wants more land although he owns a lot already
What is one outcome in Salem caused by having so many people in jail?
Orphans wandering around
Crops rotting in the fields
Cows/livestock wandering around
Who is the main antagonist of the play? (The main bad guy)
Bonus 100 if you explain her motive for acting this way.
Abigail Williams
She wants to kill Elizabeth so she and John can be together.
How does John and Elizabeth’s relationship change throughout the course of the play?
In the beginning their marriage is rocky. Elizabeth is mad that John cheated on her and John is mad she’s still mad about it. By the end of the play, they have grown closer and have forgiven each other.
One woman who was accused refuses to confess and becomes an example for those who want to hold out. Who is it?
Rebecca Nurse
Why doesn’t Danforth want to postpone any of the hangings?
He’s worried that if they postpone the hangings people will start to wonder if the witches really are guilty and if the court is really correct
What three things does Reverend Hale find suspicious when he visits the Proctors?
They don’t attend church often
Their 3rd son isn’t baptized
John can’t name all 10 of his commandments.