The Crucible

By Arthur Miller

Comprehension Check

 1. What is wrong with Betty Parris?

 She is sick of unknown causes; lies in a coma-like state.

 2. How does Tituba react to Betty’s condition?

 She is very worried about her – almost panicked.

 3. What news does Susanna bring from the doctor?

 There is no “natural” cause for her condition.

 4. What rumor is circulating about Betty?

 That she has been touched by witchcraft; that she has been trying to fly.

 5. How does Abigail initially defend the girls’ behavior in the woods?

 They were only dancing; it was “sport.”

 6. Why is Reverend Parris so worried about his reputation?

 He knows he is not well-liked; there is a group that wants him fired.

 7. What did Parris see in the woods?

 A girl running and dancing naked.

 8. What does Abigail claim is the reason she was discharged from the Proctor household?

 She would not be Elizabeth Proctor’s slave; that Elizabeth is evil and “sniveling.”

 9. In what condition is Ruth Putnam?

 She is in the same condition as Betty; in a coma-like trance.

 10. Briefly describe Thomas Putnam.

 He is a self-centered man who is always getting into fights with others in the community; thinks there are witches at work; quick to place blame on others; thinks everyone is cheating him or out to get something from him.

 11. Why did Mrs. Putnam enlist Tituba’s help?

 She asked Tituba to find out why her children have always died at birth; she knew Tituba knew black magic.

 12. Why did Abigail drink blood?

 It was a “charm” to kill Elizabeth Proctor so that Abigail could be with John.

 13. How does Abigail threaten the other girls?

 She says she will kill them if they talk, just like her parents were killed.

 14. Briefly describe John Proctor.

 A hardworking farmer; had an affair with Abigail that he swears is over; he is strong, but wrought with guilt; he is a loner.

 15. What happens when John and Abigail are left alone?

 Abigail comes on to John – tried to seduce him.

 16. What does Rebecca Nurse say about Betty and Ruth’s sickness?

 That they are fine and will get over it; there is no witchcraft at work.

 17. Why is Reverend Parris dissatisfied with his job in Salem?

 He doesn’t get paid enough; he feels he is being taken advantage of.

 18. About what are Proctor and Putnam fighting?

 Land ownership; Putnam believes part of Proctor’s land is rightfully his.

 19. Describe Reverend Hale. For what reason has he been called to Salem?

 He is an expert at detecting witchcraft. He has been called to Salem to find out what has been happening to the girls.

 20. What is Giles Corey’s complaint about his wife?

 That she reads “strange” books and he is unable to pray when she is reading.

 21. Why does Tituba finally “confess”? What do you think of her actions? What do you think will happen as a result?

 She is threatened; they say they will whip and beat her until she confesses.

 22. Why do you think the girls begin their accusations when they could have just let Tituba take the blame for everything?

 They can get attention.

 23. What does the girls’ behavior tell you about the youth of Salem?

 They are not used to the attention they are getting.

The Crucible Act I

Characters

Reverend Parris

 The minister of Salem’s church.

John Proctor

 Local farmer who hates hypocrisy; carries a hidden sin.

Giles Corey

 An elderly but feisty farmer; famous for filing lawsuits.

Tituba

 Reverend Parris’ slave from Barbados.

Ruth Putnam

 Putnam’s lone surviving daughter out of eight; she is “sick” also.

Abigail Williams

 Parris’ niece, she has a capacity for dissembling.

Ann Putnam

 Sends her daughter to Tituba to find out who “murdered” her babies.

Betty Parris

 Reverend Parris’ daughter; her sickness fuels the first rumors of witchcraft.

Rebecca Nurse

 The voice of reason in Salem; she disapproves of the talk of witchcraft.

Thomas Putnam

 A wealthy, influential citizen of Salem; he holds a grudge because his brother-in-law was not appointed minister of Salem.

Reverend Hale

 A young minister reputed to be an expert on witchcraft.

Act I Quotations

The Crucible

Abigail Williams

 “I saw Indians smash my dear parents’ heads on the pillow next to mine, and I have seen some reddish work done at night, and I can make you wish you had never seen the sun go down!”

Ann Putnam

 “You think it God’s work you should never lose a child, nor grandchild either, and I bury all but one?”

Giles Corey

 “Last night-mark this- I tried and tried and could not say my prayers.”

Reverend Parris

 “But if you trafficked with spirits in the forest I must know it now, for surely my enemies will, and they will ruin me with it.”

Reverend Hale

 “Have no fear now – we shall find him out if he has come among us, and I mean to crush him utterly if he has shown his face!”

John Proctor

 “But I will cut off my hand before I’ll ever reach for you again.”

Tituba

 “He say Mr. Parris must be kill! Mr. Parris no goodly man, Mr. Parris mean man . . .”

Abigail Williams

 “A wild thing may say wild things. But not so wild, I think.”

John Proctor

 “I’ve heard you be a sensible man, Mr. Hale. I hope you’ll leave some of it in Salem.”

Rebecca Nurse

 “This will set us all to arguin’ again in the society, and we thought to have peace this year. I think we ought rely on the doctor now, and good prayer.”

Abigail Williams

 “I know how you clutched my back behind your house and sweated like a stallion whenever I come near!”

Reverend Hale

 “We cannot look to superstition in this. The Devil is precise.”

John Proctor

 “I mean it solemnly, Rebecca; I like not the smell of this ‘authority’.”