Name
Date
The Crucible, Act III by Arthur Miller
Reading Warm-up A
Read the following passage. Pay special attention to the underlined words. Then, read it again,
and complete the activities. Use a separate sheet of paper for your written answers.
The excessive extravagance of Senator Joseph
McCarthy’s Senate investigations of the early 1950s captured headlines. However, an equally important group
was active in the House of Representatives at the same
time. This was the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC). In 1947, this committee started to devote
prodigious amounts of energy and effort to uncover communist influences in the Hollywood motion picture
industry.
At first, 41 so-called “friendly” witnesses testified voluntarily. These people may have been puzzled or baffled
by the committee’s questions. Possibly they feared a
black mark or a disruption of their careers if they did not
adopt an obliging, dutiful attitude toward the lawmakers.
In any case, they gave the committee some names of people who, they said, belonged to left-wing organizations or
were known to have left-wing views.
When called to testify, some of these witnesses agreed to
cooperate by naming others. Others, however, invoked the
Fifth Amendment’s protection against self-incrimination
and refused to give evidence. These witnesses faced a cruel
choice. If they denied membership in a suspicious group
that they had belonged to, they could be charged with
perjury. If they admitted membership, they would have
been forced to name other members, like those accused of
witchcraft in Miller’s The Crucible. In the end, many of the
“Hollywood Ten,” as this group was called, went to jail.
Eventually, over 300 writers, actors, directors, and
technicians were placed on a blacklist drawn up by the
Hollywood film studios. These people were either denied
employment or had to work in anonymity, receiving no
credit by name. Perhaps the most frightening part of this
persecution was its random character. Disaster could
strike a person anytime, and for almost any reason.
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1. Underline the word that gives
a clue to the meaning of
extravagance. Use a word
meaning the opposite of
extravagance in a sentence
of your own.
2. Circle the words in this sentence that give a clue to the
meaning of prodigious. What
are two synonyms of
prodigious?
3. Underline the word in this
sentence that gives a clue to
the meaning of baffled. What
is an antonym for baffled?
4. Underline the words that hint
at the meaning of disruption.
What is a synonym for this
word?
5. Circle the word in this sentence that offers a clue to the
meaning of dutiful. Write a
sentence about someone
acting in a dutiful fashion.
6. Underline the words in this
sentence that hint at the
meaning of perjury. What
should you do to avoid being
charged with perjury?
7. Underline the words in this
sentence that hint at the
meaning of anonymity.
8. Underline the words in the next
sentence that give a clue to the
meaning of random. What is a
synonym for random?
Name
Date
The Crucible, Act III by Arthur Miller
Reading Warm-up B
Read the following passage. Pay special attention to the underlined words. Then, read it again,
and complete the activities. Use a separate sheet of paper for your written answers.
During the 1600s, the labor force in the American colonies consisted largely of indentured servants. In this
system, would-be emigrants from England to the New
World sold themselves to an agent or ship’s captain. The
contract, called an “indenture,” would then be sold to a
buyer in the colonies. In return for the cost of the ocean
passage, and also for food, clothing, and shelter, the servant would be obliged to work for a period of four to
seven years.
Some indentured servants, no doubt, quietly and
placidly expected that such strategies or ploys would successfully establish them in a land of opportunity. When
these servants arrived in their new surroundings, however, they may have looked around them apprehensively.
The realities of indentured servitude may have easily confused or befuddled them. Perhaps they had been misled,
the victims of connivance between purchasers and agents.
In any case, their work as household servants or farmhands was hard, the hours were long, and masters were
often cruel and remorseless. Although indentured servitude has falsely been likened to apprenticeship, a more
accurate comparison lurks beneath the surface: The system quite closely resembled slavery. Runaway servants
were ruthlessly pursued. Masters who caught them did
not suffer a qualm of conscience in extending the servant’s term of service by several years. Indentured servants who misbehaved could be whipped. During the time
of a person’s indenture, he or she was considered as the
master’s personal property, and contracts could be inherited or sold. While under contract, an indentured servant
was barred from marrying or having children.
1. Underline the word in this
sentence that hints at the
meaning of placidly. What is
an antonym for placidly?
2. Circle the words in this sentence that hint at the meaning of ploys. What are two
ploys a salesperson might
use to make a sale?
3. Underline the words in this
and the next sentence
that hint at the meaning
of apprehensively. Use
apprehensively in an original
sentence.
4. Underline the words in this
sentence that hint at the
meaning of befuddled. Write
a sentence telling how a
befuddled person might feel.
5. Circle the words in this sentence that hint at the meaning of connivance. Are the
connotations of this word
positive or negative?
6. Circle the word in this sentence that gives a good
clue to the meaning of
remorseless. What is an antonym for remorseless?
7. Underline the words in this
sentence that hint at the
meaning of lurks. What is a
synonym for lurks?
8. Underline the words in this
sentence that hint at the
meaning of qualm.
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Name
Date
The Crucible, Act III, by Arthur Miller
Literary Analysis: Dramatic and Verbal Irony
In real life, things are often different from what they seem. When this occurs—both in life
and in literature—it is called irony. Writers and playwrights make use of two forms of irony to
surprise and entertain their readers and viewers.
In dramatic irony, the characters think one thing to be true, but the audience knows
something else to be true. This creates interest and tension in a story or play. In verbal irony,
words seem to say one thing but mean something quite different.
DIRECTIONS: Explain the verbal or dramatic irony that exists in the following passages.
1. Upon hearing Proctor’s and Mary’s statements, Danforth is shaken by the idea that Abigail
and the girls could be frauds. Danforth challenges Proctor with this: “Now, Mr. Proctor,
before I decide whether I shall hear you or not, it is my duty to tell you this. We burn a hot
fire here; it melts down all concealment.”
2. Parris, to save his own reputation, is eager to support Abigail’s claims and the court’s decisions. He accuses several people of making attacks upon the court. Hale’s response is this:
“Is every defense an attack upon the court? Can no one—?”
3. Proctor reminds Mary of a biblical story about the angel Raphael and a boy named Tobias.
In the story, the boy frees a woman from the devil and cures his father of blindness.
4. Proctor is informed that Elizabeth has said she is pregnant. Proctor says he knows nothing
of it but states that his wife does not lie. Later, when questioned about her husband’s fidelity, Elizabeth lies, thinking she is protecting her husband and his reputation.
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The Crucible, Act III, by Arthur Miller
Reading Strategy: Evaluate Arguments
Evaluate arguments in the court scene in Act III by determining if the evidence used to
support the accusation is believable and logical. Watch for logical fallacies, which are ideas or
arguments that appear logical even though they are based on completely incorrect assumptions.
For example, Judge Danforth explains his reasoning for believing the accusations of witchcraft.
Though his thoughts seem logical, all of them are based on a mistaken premise.
DIRECTIONS: Fill in the chart to help you evaluate the arguments of each character in the trial
scene.
Character
Argument
Logical?
1. Judge Danforth
2. John Proctor
3. Reverend Parris
4. Reverend Hale
5. Giles Corey
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Believable
Evidence?
Name
Date
The Crucible, Act III, by Arthur Miller
Vocabulary Builder
Using Legal Terms
Scenes that take place in courtrooms are usually full of special words and phrases that have
particular meaning for the judges, lawyers, and others present. This is true of Act III of The
Crucible.
A. DIRECTIONS: Find out what the following words mean. Then use each in a sentence about
the action in Act III.
1. affidavit
2. deposition
3. prosecutor
4. warrant
Using the Word List
anonymity
contentious
deposition
effrontery
imperceptible
incredulously
B. DIRECTIONS: Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the Word
List word. Circle the letter of your choice.
1. anonymity:
A. obscurity
B. fame
C. solitude
D. recklessness
2. contentious:
A. competitive
B. agreeable
C. inclusive
D. smoldering
3. deposition:
A. shifting
B. trial
C. putting in place
D. informal chat
4. effrontery:
A. decoration
B. rearward
C. politeness
D. lying
5. imperceptible:
A. obvious
B. untouchable
C. understandable
D. off track
6. incredulously:
A. contemptuously
B. dismissively
C. skeptically
D. trustfully
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Name
Date
The Crucible, Act III, by Arthur Miller
Support for Writing: “Friend of the Court” Brief
DIRECTIONS: You will be writing an Amicus Curiae—or “Friend of the Court”—brief, as if you are
a respected member of a neighboring community who is advising the Salem court. To help you
with your prewriting, fill in the chart below by stating your position and recording detailed
supporting evidence and counterarguments.
My position regarding the Salem witch trials is:
Evidence that supports my position:
1.
2.
3.
Arguments that might be made against my
position:
1.
2.
3.
How I will defend my position:
1.
2.
3.
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Name
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The Crucible, Act III, by Arthur Miller
Selection Test A
Critical Reading Identify the letter of the choice that best answers the question.
1. As The Crucible, Act III begins, what categories do Martha and Hathorne
represent?
A. Christians and non-Christians
B. liars and people who do not lie
C. accusers and those who are accused
D. witches and non-witches
2. Why does John Proctor bring Mary Warren to court in The Crucible, Act III?
A. to prove he does not believe in witches
B. to prove the court is not a just court
C. to save Elizabeth from judgment
D. to show that Parris is a fraud
3. How does Proctor behave toward Danforth during his questioning in The
Crucible, Act III?
A. joyfully
B. meanly
C. lovingly
D. respectfully
4. Which of these characters in The Crucible, Act III unknowingly does harm by
cooperating in an unjust process?
A. Ezekiel Cheever
C. John Proctor
B. Mary Warren
D. Reverend Parris
5. Why is Giles Corey’s refusal to name names important in The Crucible, Act III?
A. It shows him to be someone guilty of non-cooperation.
B. It shows that he is the one who acts honorably, not the court.
C. It shows that he does not have as much knowledge as he thought.
D. It shows that the court has asked him a question too difficult to answer.
6. Why does John Proctor say to Frances Nurse in The Crucible, Act III that he
wishes she had some “evil” in her so that she could “know” him?
A. He wishes she were not so good, because she makes him look bad.
B. He wishes she were evil so that she would be arrested.
C. He wishes he had never met her, because she hates him.
D. He wishes she were enough like him so she understood him.
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7. Why is Elizabeth’s denial that John is lustful an example of dramatic irony in
The Crucible, Act III?
A. She says it to protect John but ends up condemning him.
B. She says it to keep herself from being embarrassed in public.
C. She says it because she does not know he has been unfaithful.
D. She says it to prove that Abigail is unimportant to John.
8. In The Crucible, Act III, why does Mary Warren change her testimony and join
Abigail and the other girls?
A. She is tormented by Danforth’s questions and accusations.
B. She is frightened when Abigail pretends to be attacked by Mary’s spirit.
C. She is disgusted by Proctor’s admission of his relationship with Abigail.
D. She is afraid that Abigail will no longer be her friend.
9. Why is the use of the phrase “out of her infinite charity” to describe Abigail an
example of dramatic irony in The Crucible, Act III?
A. The audience is unaware of Abigail’s true character.
B. The audience is completely aware of Abigail’s true character.
C. The audience realizes that Abigail has become a better person.
D. The audience expects Abigail to accuse Mary of witchcraft.
10. Based on the evidence presented through Act III of The Crucible, which of the
following best characterizes the claim that Abigail and the Reverend Parris are
the two most villainous characters in the play?
A. There is not enough evidence to decide this claim one way or another.
B. The evidence clearly points instead to Proctor and Hale as the true villains.
C. The claim is false, because Abigail and the Reverend Parris are actually sincerely concerned for the welfare of others.
D. Based on the evidence presented, the claim is sound.
Vocabulary
11. Which word best replaces contentious in this sentence: “The contentious witness
was told to stop disagreeing with the judge”?
A. respectful
B. frightening
C. argumentative
D. pale
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12. Which of the following words is most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to
incredulously?
A. trustfully
B. spitefully
C. primarily
D. legally
13. In which of the following settings would you most likely encounter a deposition?
A. church
B. stadium
C. courtroom
D. laboratory
14. Which word is CLOSEST in meaning to effrontery?
A. intelligence
B. rudeness
C. seriousness
D. buffoonery
Essay
15. In the third act of The Crucible, Abigail and the other girls persuade Danforth that
they see the Devil and other evil spirits. Is Abigail like the other girls? How are they
like her, and how are they different from her? Write a brief essay to answer these
questions.
16. In Act III of The Crucible, Danforth first tells the girls that the Bible condemns a
witch to death and a liar to hell. Then he asks them to tell the truth about whether
they have either practiced witchcraft or lied about practicing witchcraft. In a brief
essay, explain why Danforth has made it impossible for the girls to tell the truth
about what they have done.
17. Thinking About the Essential Question: How does literature shape or reflect
society? In the Bible worshiped by the Puritans of seventeenth-century Salem,
one of the Ten Commandments reads, “Thou shalt not lie.” Yet the intensely
religious community of Salem is caught up in a web of lies and false accusations
as the witchcraft hysteria overtakes the town. What does Act III of The Crucible
reveal about the value the citizens of Salem place on truth-telling, and what does
their view of this matter says about the kind of religion they practice? Develop
your answer in an essay supported by details from the text.
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