The Crucible Study Guide

The Crucible

Study Guide

Who are the Following Characters and what role did they play in the text?

 Abigail Williams

 Betty Parris

 Ezekiel Cheever

 Giles Corey

 Deputy Governor Danforth

 Elizabeth Proctor

 Rev. John Hale

 Arthur Miller

 Mary Warren

 Sarah Good

 Rebecca Nurse

 Rev. Parris

 Thomas Putnam

 Tituba

 John Proctor

 Why does Elizabeth think that Abigail wants to kill her?

 Why did Rev. Hale come to proctors house?

 What things are “suspicious” about proctor and his family?

 On what charge(s) was Rebecca nurse arrested?

 What is the deciding factor in Elizabeth’s arrest?

 What is Parris’s argument against Proctor?

 What was the evidence against Sarah Good?

 Hale asks Elizabeth if she believes in witches. What does she reply?

 What will happen to Proctor if he tries to discredit Abby?

 Why do Giles and Francis want to see Danforth?

 Why did Danforth grant Elizabeth extra time before her sentencing?

 What did the paper that ninety-one people signed actually say?

 What was Hale’s problem as Proctor and his friends presented evidence to Danforth?

 Whom do Ezekiel Cheever and Herrick, the marshal, come to the Proctor home to arrest?

 To what does John Proctor convince Mary Warren to testify?

 In Act II, what does Mary Warren give to Elizabeth Proctor when she returns home from the

trials?

 Who is the first person that Abigail claims practiced witchcraft?

 What did Abigail do at the end of the play?

 Why did reverend Hale come back to Salem?

 What does Hale want Elizabeth to do?

 What happens to Giles Corey?

 What did Proctor do after he signed his confession?

 What in America’s history was the play “The Crucible” based on?

How said the following?

 I cannot sleep for dreamin'; I cannot dream but I wake and walk about the house as though I'd find you

comin' through some door. -

 Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies!

Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang! How may I

 There is a misty plot afoot so subtle we should be criminal to cling to old respects and ancient friendships.

Live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name!

 Uncle, we did dance; let you tell them I confessed it-- and I'll be whipped if I must be. But they're

speaking of witchcraft. Betty's not witched

 “I am not used to this poverty. I left a thrifty business in Barbados to serve the Lord.”

 “She thinks to take my place, John.”

 …”if Rebecca Nurse be tainted, then nothing’s left to stop the whole green world from burning.”

 “Abby’ll charge lechery on you Mr. Proctor!

 “Do that which is good and no harm shall come to thee.”

 “I denounce these proceedings and I quit this court!”

 I have given you my soul; leave me my name!”

 Abby, I may think of you softly from time to time. But I will cut off my hand before I’ll reach for

you again. Wipe it out of your mind. We never touched, Abby”

 You think its God’s work you should never lose a child, nor grandchild either and I bury all but

one. There are wheels within wheels in this village and fires within fires!”

Short Answer Question/Essay

What is proctors reason for not attending church and having his children baptized in church?

Where does Elizabeth want John to go at the beginning of Act Two and what does she want him to do?

Explain the significance of the poppet, how it can to exist, and what happened because of it.

Explain Danforth’s reason that a pardon would not just.

What did Proctor do after he signed his confession? Why?

What is one thing that this character deeply values? How can you tell this from the selection? What

reason(s) might the person have for valuing this?

Which individual in this play do you think faced the most difficult test of character because of his or her

beliefs? Support your answer.

In Act Two Elizabeth and John are quite at odds about their views of John’s relationship with Abigail,

now that the affair is over. Explain the differences in their points of view.

During her testimony before Danforth in Act Three, Elizabeth reveals that she had been sick for some time

after the birth of her last baby. Discuss the influence of her being ill as contributing or not contributing to

John’s adultery with Abigail. Also, discuss whether you think the sickness justifies his behavior in any

way.

Reverend Hale arrives in Salem as an authority on witches, but by the end of the play, he has changed so

completely that he wants the condemned to make false confessions to save themselves. Explain why he

changes.

Why did John Proctor choose to die at the end of the play?

How does The Crucible to relate to the idea of the Power of One? Explain and defend your answer.