Characters
Which character is the elderly woman known for her strong faith and respected reputation in Salem?
Rebecca Nurse
What does John Proctor reveal about his past relationship with Abigail during the court proceedings?
He admits that he committed adultery with Abigail.
What theme is shown when people are afraid to disagree with a powerful group?
The danger of conformity and social pressure.
What do we call the central struggle between characters or opposing forces in a literary work?
Conflict
What was the name of the 1692 document that allowed officials to search a person's home and arrest suspected witches?
A Warrant
Which character is a wealthy landowner who has a conflict with Francis Nurse over land?
Thomas Putnam
What happens to Giles Corey after he refuses to enter a plea?
He is pressed to death with heavy stones.
How does the play show that lies can grow more dangerous over time?
The girls' initial deception develops into widespread accusations, arrests, and executions.
What literary device involves a character saying something that means more than the literal words suggest?
Subtext
Why did the use of spectral evidence make it difficult for an accused person to defend themselves?
The accused could not easily disprove claims about invisible spirits or supernatural attacks.
Who is the first person to suggest that Betty's condition may have a supernatural explanation?
Reverend Parris raises the possibility of witchcraft, while Reverend Hale later investigates it.
Why does Mary Warren give Elizabeth a poppet?
She gives Elizabeth a doll she made while attending the court proceedings.
How does Miller show the danger of allowing personal revenge to influence public decisions?
Characters use accusations to target enemies, turning private conflicts into serious legal consequences.
How does the courtroom setting contribute to the play's tension?
It places characters under intense public scrutiny and makes accusations carry immediate consequences.
What is the term for judging people based on assumptions about a group rather than evidence about individuals?
Stereotyping or prejudice.
Which character attempts to expose the girls' lies by presenting a petition signed by people who support the accused women?
Francis Nurse.
What happens when John Proctor brings Mary Warren to court to challenge the girls' accusations?
Mary struggles to maintain her testimony under pressure, and the girls turn against her.
Why is questioning authority important in The Crucible?
Questioning authority can expose false claims and prevent unjust decisions from going unchallenged.
What is the effect of using dramatic irony when the audience knows the girls are lying but the court believes them?
It creates suspense, frustration, and a stronger understanding of the injustice unfolding.
What is an allegory, and how does Miller use one in The Crucible?
A story with a deeper symbolic meaning; Miller uses the Salem trials to criticize political persecution and McCarthyism.
How does Reverend Hale's transformation throughout the play contrast with Danforth's behavior?
Hale questions his earlier beliefs and tries to save the accused, while Danforth continues supporting the court and its proceedings.
Why does the court continue moving toward executions even after serious doubts about the accusations emerge?
Officials fear that admitting mistakes would undermine the court's authority and expose the injustice of earlier decisions.
How does Miller develop the conflict between personal morality and survival?
Characters must decide whether to protect themselves by cooperating with the court or uphold their principles despite the consequences.
How does Miller use characterization to show that people can change when confronted with the consequences of their beliefs?
Through characters such as Hale and Proctor, Miller shows how guilt, evidence, and moral reflection can change a person's decisions and values.
What is hysteria, and how does it affect a community?
Intense, uncontrolled fear or excitement that spreads and can cause people to act irrationally.