Revised: 01/21/2010

Mr. Stone's Crucible Study Guide

Directions:
Type neat, detailed answers with complete sentences. Some questions require long answers. Do not rewrite the questions; number your answers. Quote the text to support your ideas. All manuscripts must adhere to the English Department's MLA guidelines, including parenthetical citations and a works cited page. Improperly formatted papers and/or papers lacking properly formatted parenthetical citations and a works cited page will not be graded. Consider downloading the pre-formatted study guide template at Resources.
 

Act I

1. Look up and write down two or more definitions for the word crucible. Consider throughout the play how these two definitions can apply.
2. The play's author is _______________________ and the play was written in ______ as a protest to Senator _______________________ senate hearings attacking alleged ________________ infiltration in the U.S. government. 
3. What did the letters HUAC stand for?  Who were the "Hollywood Ten" and why did HUAC (under chairman Parnell Thomas) accuse them of communism?
4. Act I is set in _________________ in the __________ of ______.
5. Why is Reverend Parris reluctant to admit anything "unnatural" about Betty's illness?  Evaluate his character: is he an entirely honest man?
6. When speaking with Abigail, what does Reverend Parris explicitly say he "saw" in the woods?  Notice the conversation that follows.  What inferences do you make about Reverend Parris' suspicions? 
7. What is happening at home that has alarmed the Putnams and brought them to town?  What do the Putnams think this reveals about Salem?
8. Describe the connection between James Bayley, George Burroughs, and the Putnam's.  Why would Mr. Putnam want to see Rev. Parris "move toward the abyss"?  Note: Explain what the "abyss" is in this context.
9. How does Abigail's personality change when the adults go downstairs? What vivid imagery does Abby use to manipulate the others? What are her personality traits?
10. When the girls are alone, Betty calls for her mother and tries to get out the window.  Analyze the psychological importance of these actions.  What does Betty need? How is she feeling?
11. Several things are clarified when Abby and John Procter converse in Betty's room.  What do we learn about their history?  Carefully describe how each one feels now.
12. Explain Betty's reaction at the end of the Abbey/John scene.  What alternate, damaging explanation is suggested by Abigail?  Why does Proctor stand idly by without contradicting her explanation?
13. Identify  the conflicts Miller explores in the argument scene on pages 27-32.
14. Miller says in his introductory comments that Hale is like a "young doctor on his first call."  What does this figurative language reveal about Hale's character?  (Hint: What are his feelings and goals?)
15. Hale states that his books are  "weighted with _____________."  Explain why this is ironic and state what Miller wants his audience to consider as the witch hunt unfolds.
16. What two things does Giles say to Hale that he should have kept to himself?  What is his motivation for discussing his wife? (Hint: why has he been in court so often?)
17. What does Abigail say that Tituba forces her to do?  Explain why Abigail chose Tituba to blame.
18. What fears prompt Tituba's confession?  Did she behave morally?  Would you?
19. In her confession Tituba is given an unusual opportunity to express herself.  What does she want and how does she get away with saying it?  What kind of person does Tituba say accompanied the devil? 
20. Prior to the "calling out" at the end of Act I, how does Hale describe Betty while interrogating Tituba?  How do you think this makes Betty feel?
21. Think about all of Act I and consider if Arthur Miller was asked "Why do people commit evil and destructive acts?"  What do you think he would answer?  How would Reverend Parris answer the same question?

1. Act II is set in ___________________________________, __________ days later.
2. How does the early part of Act II contrast with the end of Act I? 
3. Consider the opening pantomime and ensuing dialogue regarding the rabbit stew.  What do you infer about this marriage?
4. Describe the emotional inferences that can be drawn from the seasonal and temperature references in Act II?  Recall similar references from Act I in your answer.
5. Describe the contrasting imagery used to describe Mary Warren.  How has she changed and why?
6. Proctor is reluctant to visit Ezekiel Cheever and expose Abigail and the girls as frauds.  What reason does Proctor explicitly give to Elizabeth?  What other possible reasons can be inferred?
7. What lie does Elizabeth discover and how does it make both of them feel?  Describe the different ways they feel and why they feel that way?
8. How many people does Mary report are now in jail? What is Proctor's dilemma?  What do you think Miller's position would be?
9. Who has "somewhat mentioned" Elizabeth Proctor? What motive do Elizabeth and John suspect for this accusation?
10. Explain why John refuses to admit making a "promise"?  Why does he angrily declare that he is "honest"?
11. What explicit reason does Reverend Hale give for visiting the Proctors?  Note that the Deputy Governor and others could have the same excuse but have remained in town.  What inferences can you draw about Hale's character and about his view of court proceedings?
12. Why are the Proctors shocked to learn from Reverend Hale that Rebecca Nurse is under suspicion?
13. What four tests does Hale administer to Proctor to determine his "Christian character?" How does he do on each test?
14. Note what Elizabeth say about witches.  What does this response reveal about her character?
15. Which three women are arrested in Act II?  What are the specific charges against each?
16. Why is the poppet important, and where did Elizabeth get it?  Why should Mary Warren be mad at Abby?
17. Proctor calls Hale "Pontius Pilate."  Explain both the allusion and the insult.  Is Proctor hypocritical  when he calls Hale a "coward"?  Explain.
18. Why does Proctor lose all his fire and energy after Hale's "cause proportionate" speech.  What in the speech touched him?
19. What two reasons does Mary Warren give for not testifying against Abby?  What does Proctor say will be "good"?
20. What does it mean when we say that The Crucible is a tragedy?  Which character's seem to be suffering from fatal or determining flaws?

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." Martin Luther King, Jr.

1. Act III is set in __________________________ approximately two to four weeks later.  (See Act II, Scene 2.)
2. According to Danforth, what is the proper way for Corey to present his evidence to the court?  Is his request fair?
3. Why does Danforth ask Proctor if they have told their story to others?  What is he trying to understand before he allows their evidence to be introduced?
4. Notice the aggressive charges of  Parris and Hathorne against the farmers.  What emotions compel their accusations?
5. Which authority argues in their defense and what does this reveal about him?
6. What is the surprising news about Elizabeth? 
7. Think about what Proctor says Elizabeth never does.  Are there any previous examples that support his claim?  What "test" does Danforth give Proctor before he will "judge" his evidence?  Does Proctor's decision reveal any changes in his character?  Explain.
8. What is said in Francis Nurse's deposition (petition)? What is the court's response?
9. What faith-based message has Proctor used to encourage Mary to give the court honest testimony?  Hint: Raphael and Tobias
10. According to Giles' deposition, how will Thomas Putnam benefit by executions? What does the court demand of Corey that he refuses at his own peril?
11. What advantage does Danforth maintain when he rejects Hale's request to have a lawyer argue Proctor's and Mary Warren's evidence?  Is he being fair and impartial?
12. What is Mary asked to do that she "cannot" do? Why can't she do it?
13. How do Abby and the girls fight Mary's accusations?
14. As a last resort, what does Proctor publicly confess to? Identify and explain the two ideas in his spoken confession that are connected to earlier conversations in Act. II.
15. Make inferences about Elizabeth's crucible:  What must she believe about the situation that leads her to answer as she does?  Afterwards, how must they both feel?
16. Near the end Mary is accused of having supernatural powers.  How do you think Miller wants his audience view her terrified declaration "I have no power."
17. Why does Proctor say "God is dead"?  Hint: Think back to what he has been telling Mary throughout Act III.
18. Explain Reverend Hale's denouncement at the end of the act.

1. Act IV is set in _____________________ during the __________.
2. Describe the condition of Sarah Good and Tituba.  Why is it ironic that they are still imprisoned?
3. According to Cheever, why does Parris weep so much?  What is the significance of this?
4. What surprising news does Parris give Danforth and Hathorne? (3 things)
5. Why does Reverend Parris want Danforth to postpone the hangings?  
6. Has Parris' core personality changed from the early part of Act I?  Why or why not?
7. Why does Danforth refuse to consider a postponement?  What do his strong feelings about the insignificance of "Andover" reveal?  (Hint: why does he want to suppress all discussion of Andover?)
8. Why does Reverend Hale suggest that it is a "marvel they do not burn your province!"?
9. What is Reverend Hale's purpose in returning to Salem? What is his motivation? 
10. Consider Hale's passionate appeal to Elizabeth.  How has his religious faith been tested during the past three month?
11. What is Hale's advice to her (and, by extension, John)?  What does Elizabeth mean when she says that Hale's advice is the "Devil's argument"?
12. Examine Danforth's castigating speech to Elizabeth.  What does he reveal about himself in his criticism of her?
13. Identify the different reasons that Danforth/Hathorne, Parris, and Hale have for wanting Proctor to confess?
14. How has Giles Corey used the law to his advantage, and, in a sense, won his last case?
15. Why does Proctor think it would be "honest" for him to confess?  Explain his logic.
16. Elizabeth says he is a good man, that he takes her sins on himself, and then discusses herslef. What does she reveal about herself?  How has she changed?
17. What verbal and dramatic ironies are embedded in the confession sequence between Proctor and Danforth?
18. What reason does Proctor give for tearing up his confession?
19. Explain the double meaning of Danforth's last lines.
20. Why does Elizabeth refuse to plead with John at the close of Act IV?