The Crucible Answer Key

The Crucible by Arthur Miller STUDY QUESTIONS (All answers must be in COMPLETE SENTENCES in order to get full credit.) ACT ONE How does Reverend Parris feel about his position as a reverend in Salem? He is paranoid of losing his power and thinks that someone's out to get him. According to Arthur Miller, what opportunities did the witch-hunt provide for certain members of the Salem? If you confess and help them find the witches they would let you live and also a way to get rid off all your enemies. How do Abigail and Mercy Lewis react to Betty’s sickness? Abigail and Mercy are scared of being caught and being punished so they try to wake her up aggressively and bully her. Why did Abigail drink blood when the girls were “conjuring spirits”? Abigail tried to make a charm to kill Goody Proctor. What is Proctor struggling with internally? How is he seen by other town members? He feels guilty that he committed adultery and does not live up to his name. He is feared and respected he is the only person in the village to hold his own opinion. Describe the strategies in which Abigail uses to seduce John Proctor? Tries to get physical with him, reminds him off what happened that night and make him feel guilty by saying that she waits for him every night. Why does Proctor become angry when Abigail insults his wife? He feels guilt about cheating on his wife and tries to make it up to her by defending her against Abigail. How are the Nurses different than the Putnams? The nurses started from scratch and gained land while the Putnams inherited all their land. What is Giles Corey’s public reputation? What is his purpose in the play? The town nuisance that annoys everyone and he serves as a comedy relief in the play. What is Proctor’s argument against going to Parris’ church? Proctor feels that Parris is not preaching about god, not a man of god but only thinks about making money. Why is Reverend Hale so enthusiastic about his trip to Salem? He wants to proof that witches are real because he dedicated his whole life to witchcraft. According to Arthur Miller, in history, how has the Devil been used to structure society? By using the Devil has a weapon in society by saying be with us or be with the devil. What is Rebecca Nurse’s reputation in Salem and outside of Salem? In both inside and outside of Salem she is considered charitably and nice. How does Abigail divert the blame from herself when she is questioned by Reverend Hale about her “dancing”? In order for her to divert the blame from herself she blames it on someone else. How do Hale, Putnam, and Parris manage to get Tituba to confess to witchcraft? What strategies do they use? They scare her saying that it is punishable by death and the only way out is to join good and help them find all the witches. What forces make the girls cry out in hysteria at the end of Act I? The girls are afraid of being punished so they put up a fake act in order to avoid punishment. ACT TWO What does Proctor’s reaction to his wife’s meal demonstrate about his impressions of her? She doesn't have everything that he wants and she is missing something. How does Elizabeth view herself as a wife? She tries to cater to Procters needs. What position has Mary Warren, Proctor’s servant, been given by the court? Marry is one of the girls that is used to accuse other people. How is Abigail’s status as an outcast changed when accusations are heavy? She went from a servant girl to being treated as a saint in the town. What is Proctor’s reaction when Elizabeth calls him out on his relationship with Abigail? Proctor gets very angry at his wife because he already feels guilty enough and hes always trying to make her happy. Who is really judging John Proctor for his faults? Explain the significance of this. John is judging himself because he feels guilty for what he has down and is ashamed and feels that he does not live up to his name. What gift does Mary Warren give Elizabeth? What is its significance? Mary warren gives Elizabeth a poppet which then is used against Elizabeth to accuse of her being a witch. What is used as proof in court for witchcraft that could eventually convict those being tried? The court uses spectral vision to convict the people accused. What does Mary Warren reveal about Elizabeth’s connection with the witch-hunts? Mary warren uses the poppet against Elizabeth which was supposedly used to stab Abigail. What power does Mary Warren eventually possess in the Proctor household? She becomes a bit more respected after saying she is part of the court and holds official duties. Name three women who are accused of witchcraft thus far in the story? Rebecca Nurse, Elizabeth and Tituba. Which commandment does Proctor fail to recite? Why is forgetting this commandment so ironic? The proctor forgets to recite the commandment about adultery and this is ironic considering the fact that he has committed adultery in the past with abigail. Why do many believe that there is no hope in the world when Rebecca Nurse has been accused of witchcraft? Many believe that because Rebecca Nurse is the nicest person in the town and very religious so if a good person like her is which that means satan can get anyone. What does John Proctor say is walking in vengeance? Everyone is using the witchcraft story as a way to dispose of all their enemies. Why can’t Mary Warren turn against Abigail? She can’t turn against Abigail because she is afraid of her attacking killed her because Abigail threatened her. ACT THREE 1. How does Giles Corey accidentally set his wife up to be accused of witchcraft? He asks Hale about the weird books his wifes been reading causing him to stop praying. 2. Why is Danforth so concerned when Francis Nurse claims that he has proof that Abigail and the girls are deceiving the court? Danforth is scared because if they tell the truth then his reputation will be destroyed. 3. What surprise does Danforth reveal about Elizabeth to John Proctor? Danforth tells John that his wife is pregnant. 4. What does Danforth do that makes Francis Nurse believe that he has “brought trouble on these people”? He makes all the people that signed the petition go to prison for interrogation. 5. How is Giles Corey familiar with Danforth’s family? Who is Danforth’s father? Giles corey is familiar with the family because he has been in court many times and his father was the person who gave him 6. What truth does Giles Corey reveal about Thomas Putnam? Giles tells everyone that Thomas is trying to get rid of all the landlords so he can get all the land. 7. What does Proctor say about Abigail to try to prove that she could be murderous? That she is jealous of his wife and wants to take her place. 8. When Mary Warren tells the court that she pretended to faint, what does Parris instruct her to do? Parris tells her to faint in front of the court in order to prove it that she was fainting. 9. What does Proctor confess to the court that he has kept hidden for so long? He confesses that he had an affair with Abigail. 10. How does Elizabeth protect John Proctor’s name when brought to the judges? She lies and says that Johns has always been faithful to her. 11. How does Abigail and the girls convince Mary Warren to become loyal to their side of the case again? They make her look like the witch which scares Mary Warren and then she joins the group. ACT FOUR 1. Who is Tituba calling as she sits in jail with Sarah Good? Tituba is calling the Devil while she sits in jail. 2. What is the state of Herrick as he guards the jail room? Herricks drunk when he guards the jail room. 3. What is Reverend Hale begging the convicted people of Salem to do in order to save their lives? He is asking them to confess to witchcraft to save their lives. 4. What is Abigail’s fate at the end of the story? She runs away on a boat with all the money of Paris. 5. What is the condition of Andover, a town also experiencing similar witch trials? The people of Andover revolted against the courts that held the trials. 6. What does Danforth fear will happen in Salem, of which he is already seeing signs? He fears that the people are going to start revolting soon. 7. What does Hale plead with Elizabeth to do with John? Why? Hale wants Elizabeth to convince John to witchcraft so that he can life. 8. What is Giles Corey’s fate? Describe it. Giles Corey is crushed by rocks saying more and more. 9. Does Rebecca Nurse confess to witchcraft? What does it say about her character? She doesn't confess to witchcraft which shows that she would rather die for her principles then lie. 10. What does Danforth ask John Proctor to sign? Does he sign it? What is the reason for this action? He asks him to sign a confession to confess that he is a witch and he doesn't because he wants to stand by the truth. 11. Why does John Proctor make the decision that he does at the end of the play? He is inspired by the others that stood by the truth and he chooses to die at then end.