What did Parris see in the woods?
 He saw the girls dancing – one of whom was
naked, and Tituba waving her arms
Why does Parris worry about
revealing what he saw in the forest?
 Because, if it is learned his daughter and
niece were practicing witchcraft, his
enemies would use it to force him out as
pastor
She awakens only after the adults
have left the room and attempts to
jump out a window.
 Betty Parris
When Betty “wakes up,” what does
she reveal about Abigail?
 That Abigail drank blood as a charm to kill
Goody Proctor
Why are the other girls afraid of
Abigail?
 Because she has threatened to physically
harm any of them who admits to practicing
witchcraft in the woods
What does Rebecca Nurse believe is afflicting
Betty, and what caution does she offer?
 She believes Betty is just being a kid and is
involved in some kind of mischief that she’ll
eventually stop
 She hopes people don’t look to the
supernatural as the reason for the kids’
supposed sickness
Why has Rev. Hale been summoned to Salem,
and how does he feel about his work?
 To see if the girls are being affected by
supernatural forces
 He feels the pride of being a specialist
whose unique knowledge has been publicly
called for
Why does Tituba confess, and who does
she claim are witches?
 She confesses because, if found guilty of
witchcraft, she will be hanged, and if she
doesn’t confess, she may be whipped to
death by Rev. Parris
 Goody Good and Goody Osburn
She says of the girls’ odd behavior, “Pray calm
yourselves. I have eleven children, and I am
twenty-six times a grandma, and I have seen
them all through their silly seasons.”
 Rebecca Nurse
This term is used to describe unsubstantiated
accusations and public attacks on the
character or patriotism of a person.
 witch hunt
The Crucible was written as an allergory of
what historical event?
 The Communist Red Scare
Who wrote The Crucible?
 Arthur Miller
He is respected by much of the town as
honest, upright and not easily fooled, but
behind his steadfast appearance he is
conflicted with guilty and self-doubt due to
his feelings for Abigail.
 John Proctor
From the beginning of Act II, what can you tell about
the relationship between John and Elizabeth Proctor?
 It is strained and awkward. They are having
a difficult time making conversation
because John’s affair with Abigail is still
hanging over their marriage
According to Mary Warren, what happens to
people when they confess to witchcraft?
 They will be saved from hanging
What does Elizabeth want John to
do, which John wants to “think on”?
 To go to Salem to tell the court that Abigail
is a fraud
What does John say keeps him from telling the court
what he knows? What other reasons may John have
for not wanting to tell the court about Abigail?
 He had no witnesses to Abigail’s statement
that the children’s sickness had nothing to
do with witchcraft
 He is afraid he may have to admit to his
affair with Abigail
 Also, he still has feelings for Abigail
How does Mary save herself from
a whipping from John?
 She tells Proctor she saved Elizabeth’s life
in court
What does Elizabeth think Abigail stands to
gain by accusing her of witchcraft?
 That, with her death, Abigail can marry
John Proctor
What reasons does Proctor give for not
attending church regularly?
 At first he says he hasn’t been attending
regularly because his wife has been sick
 However, he admits he hasn’t been
attending because he dislikes Rev. Parris
and doesn’t see the light of God in him
What important information does
John reveal to Rev. Hale?
 That Abigail told him that the girls’ dancing
in the woods had nothing to do with
witchcraft
To what biblical event does Proctor refer when he
alludes to Pontius Pilate when describing Hale?
What does this suggest about Hale?
 Pontius Pilate, when given the opportunity
to decide Jesus’ fate, washed his hands of
the decision and allowed the people to
choose whether or not to crucify him
 That Hale is a coward for not doing
anything to try and stop the arrest of so
many people on charges of witchcraft
What could happen to John Proctor
if he admits to an affair with Abigail?
 He could be charged with lechery
(adultery), which was a serious offense for
Puritans
What finally prompts Proctor to
report his affair with Abigail?
 He sees that Mary Warren is being intimidated
by Abigail, the other girls and the judges, so, as a
last resort to convince the court Abigail is a
fraud, he admits to the affair
Why do Abigail and the others suddenly
pretend to be cold and to see spirits?
 They want to reinforce Danforth’s belief in their
innocence, and they realize he is beginning to
doubt them. They claim Mary Warren is
bewitching them.
What finally destroys Proctor’s efforts
to save his wife?
 Mary Warren turns on him and calls him the
Devil’s man and accuses him of making her sign
the Devil’s book
Why does Mary Warren denounce her
deposition and side with Abigail against
Proctor?
 Because she fears the court will hang her for
being a witch if she continues to side with John
against the girls, so she saves herself by claiming
John was the Devil’s man
What is Hale’s reaction to the events
in Act III?
 Hale denounces the court and then quits
Why is Reverend Parris acting
strangely?
 Parris has lied from the beginning and
bears a great deal of responsibility for the
hysteria. He is now suffering from guilt
and shame for having condemned
innocent people to death and he fears
townspeople may be looking to retaliate
against him
What does Rev. Parris find stuck in his
door? What does this suggest about the
town?
 A dagger
 That the townspeople are on the verge of
rebellion
What has happened to Salem?
 Orphans are wandering from house to
house
 Abandoned cattle wander through town
 Crops are rotting in the fields
 No man knows when the girls’ cries of
witchery will end their lives
Why is Elizabeth Proctor brought in
to see John?
 They want her to convince her husband to
confess
What is John’s objection to being
hanged?
 Since he’s already committed adultery, he
feels he is a sinner. Therefore, he doesn’t
feel he deserves to go to the scaffold as a
martyr like Rebecca Nurse and the others
What is Elizabeth’s advice?
 She says she will not tell him what to do. It
is his decision alone whether or not to
confess. She will not judge him