Focus Questions The Crucible: Act I. Focus Questions The Crucible takes place in 1692 in Salem,...

Focus QuestionsFocus Questions

The Crucible: Act I

Focus QuestionsThe Crucible takes place in 1692 in

Salem, MassachusettsThe protagonist is John ProctorCharacters to watch:

Abigail Williams – the niece of Rev. Parris

John Proctor – Had an affair with Abigail when she was a maid in the house


What is really wrong with Ruth Putnam, and why is she acting the way she is?

Why is Rev. Parris worried that people will believe it’s witchcraft?

What is really wrong with Ruth Putnam, and why is she acting the way she is?

Why is Rev. Parris worried that people will believe it’s witchcraft?


What rumors are spreading around town about Betty Parris?

What concerns does Rev. Parris have about Abigail ?

What rumors are spreading around town about Betty Parris?

What concerns does Rev. Parris have about Abigail ?


What is the name of the woman is told not to beg, and what is her eventual role in the witch trials?

In what town did Rev. Hale find witchcraft?

What is the name of the woman is told not to beg, and what is her eventual role in the witch trials?

In what town did Rev. Hale find witchcraft?

Focus QuestionsFocus QuestionsWhat “reddish work” happened to Abigail’s parents?

What’s Rebecca Nurse’s response as to why Betty is acting the way she does?

What “reddish work” happened to Abigail’s parents?

What’s Rebecca Nurse’s response as to why Betty is acting the way she does?


Who did Abigail cast a blood spell against?

What is John Proctor’s attitude toward Abigail?

Who did Abigail cast a blood spell against?

What is John Proctor’s attitude toward Abigail?

Focus QuestionsFocus QuestionsWhat did Abigail mean when she said John Proctor put “knowledge” in her heart?

Also, what did she mean when she said, “I know you, John Proctor”?

What did Abigail mean when she said John Proctor put “knowledge” in her heart?

Also, what did she mean when she said, “I know you, John Proctor”?

Focus QuestionsFocus QuestionsWhat metaphor is used in reference to Mr. Hale’s books?

What has Mr. Hale heard about Rebecca Nurse, and what does that tell you about her stature in Salem?

What metaphor is used in reference to Mr. Hale’s books?

What has Mr. Hale heard about Rebecca Nurse, and what does that tell you about her stature in Salem?

Focus QuestionsFocus QuestionsHow does Giles Corey accidentally implicate his wife?

What allegorical aspects in reference to the Red Scare have all ready occurred?

How does Giles Corey accidentally implicate his wife?

What allegorical aspects in reference to the Red Scare have all ready occurred?


Why does Abigail blame Tituba?

What reasons make Tituba an easy target for false allegations?

Why does Abigail blame Tituba?

What reasons make Tituba an easy target for false allegations?

Focus QuestionsFocus QuestionsWho does Goody Putnam first accuse of being a witch, and what is her motivation?

Who does Tituba accuse of witchcraft and how did she arrive at those names?

Who does Goody Putnam first accuse of being a witch, and what is her motivation?

Who does Tituba accuse of witchcraft and how did she arrive at those names?


The Crucible: Act II


Describe the relationship between Elizabeth and John Proctor.

What has John Proctor done to get his wife to forgive him for his actions?

Describe the relationship between Elizabeth and John Proctor.

What has John Proctor done to get his wife to forgive him for his actions?


What are the names of the three judges who arrive in Salem?

Who is the first person called in before the court and who was the first to testify?

What are the names of the three judges who arrive in Salem?

Who is the first person called in before the court and who was the first to testify?


For what reasons are people of Salem being accused of witchcraft?

Who laughs and walks out the court, and why do they do so?

For what reasons are people of Salem being accused of witchcraft?

Who laughs and walks out the court, and why do they do so?


What are the allegorical reasons for the girls fainting to invisible evidence?

What allegorical role does the devil play in the plot?

What are the allegorical reasons for the girls fainting to invisible evidence?

What allegorical role does the devil play in the plot?


What is Mary Warren’s function with Salem’s court?

At this point in the plot, how is Abigail perceived by the people of Salem?

What is Mary Warren’s function with Salem’s court?

At this point in the plot, how is Abigail perceived by the people of Salem?


What are Samuel Sewell’s concerns about the nature of the allegations of witchcraft against those in Salem?

What are Samuel Sewell’s concerns about the nature of the allegations of witchcraft against those in Salem?

Focus QuestionsFocus QuestionsWhy does Rev. Hale question the

Proctor’s about their Christian beliefs?

Why doesn’t John Proctor respect Rev. Parris and what did that have to do with Proctor’s last son?

What’s ironic about Proctor forgetting one of the commandments?

Why does Rev. Hale question the Proctor’s about their Christian beliefs?

Why doesn’t John Proctor respect Rev. Parris and what did that have to do with Proctor’s last son?

What’s ironic about Proctor forgetting one of the commandments?


What lead to Martha Corey and Rebecca Nurse being arrested for witchcraft?

Why is Mr. Cheever searching for a poppet in the Proctor’s house?

Why does Proctor call Mr. Hale a broken minister?

What lead to Martha Corey and Rebecca Nurse being arrested for witchcraft?

Why is Mr. Cheever searching for a poppet in the Proctor’s house?

Why does Proctor call Mr. Hale a broken minister?


Why is Mary Warren afraid to contradict Abigail?

Also, for John Proctor, what risk is there for him if Mary contradicts Abigail?

Why is Mary Warren afraid to contradict Abigail?

Also, for John Proctor, what risk is there for him if Mary contradicts Abigail?


The Crucible: Act III


What does Giles Corey have that will prove the girls are lying?

How does Proctor find out his wife is pregnant, and what significance does it hold for her?

When Proctor presents a list of 91 people who’ll testify the girls are lying, what happens to them?

What connection with the U.S. today can you make with Danforth’s statement that “You’re either with us or against us”?

What does Giles Corey have that will prove the girls are lying?

How does Proctor find out his wife is pregnant, and what significance does it hold for her?

When Proctor presents a list of 91 people who’ll testify the girls are lying, what happens to them?

What connection with the U.S. today can you make with Danforth’s statement that “You’re either with us or against us”?


What is Mr. Corey’s claim against Mr. Putnam?

Why doesn’t Mr. Corey testify as to who could validate his statement regarding Mr. Putnam, and how is it allegorical?

What is Mr. Corey’s claim against Mr. Putnam?

Why doesn’t Mr. Corey testify as to who could validate his statement regarding Mr. Putnam, and how is it allegorical?


Why is Mr. Hale so upset about Judge Danforth’s reluctance to believe the girls are lying?

Why is Judge Danforth shocked that the girls were dancing in the woods?

To what does Mary Warren testify? After Abigail suggests Danforth is

not beyond temptation of the devil, what does she do?

Why is Mr. Hale so upset about Judge Danforth’s reluctance to believe the girls are lying?

Why is Judge Danforth shocked that the girls were dancing in the woods?

To what does Mary Warren testify? After Abigail suggests Danforth is

not beyond temptation of the devil, what does she do?


Why does Proctor admit to having an affair with Abigail?

What does Judge Danforth mean when he says to Abigail “… may God spread his mercy on you”?

What is ironic about Elizabeth’s testimony regarding Proctor’s affair?

Why does Proctor admit to having an affair with Abigail?

What does Judge Danforth mean when he says to Abigail “… may God spread his mercy on you”?

What is ironic about Elizabeth’s testimony regarding Proctor’s affair?


What is ironic about Mary saying she loves God?

What is metaphorical about Proctor saying, “You’re pulling down Heaven and raising up a whore”?

What part of dramatic structure is represented when John Proctor says, “God is dead!”?

What was symbolic about John Proctor being represented in the sea?

What is ironic about Mary saying she loves God?

What is metaphorical about Proctor saying, “You’re pulling down Heaven and raising up a whore”?

What part of dramatic structure is represented when John Proctor says, “God is dead!”?

What was symbolic about John Proctor being represented in the sea?


The Crucible: Act IV


For what crime is Giles Corey pressed to death, and what allegorical significance does it have?

How have the people of Salem changed their attitude toward Abigail, and why did that occur?

For what crime is Giles Corey pressed to death, and what allegorical significance does it have?

How have the people of Salem changed their attitude toward Abigail, and why did that occur?


What does Abigail steal from Rev. Parris’s, and what is her intent?

Whom does Judge Danforth allegorically represent?

What does Abigail steal from Rev. Parris’s, and what is her intent?

Whom does Judge Danforth allegorically represent?


What is Rev. Parris worried about regarding the hangings of John Proctor, Rebecca Nurse, and Martha Corey?

Why does Rev. Hale state that all the accusations have been lies and encourages Proctor to “give them the lie” the court wants?

What is Rev. Parris worried about regarding the hangings of John Proctor, Rebecca Nurse, and Martha Corey?

Why does Rev. Hale state that all the accusations have been lies and encourages Proctor to “give them the lie” the court wants?


Why does Proctor ask Elizabeth for forgiveness, and what is her response?

To what does Elizabeth admit to in regard to her relationship with her husband?

Why does Proctor ask Elizabeth for forgiveness, and what is her response?

To what does Elizabeth admit to in regard to her relationship with her husband?


Why does Rebecca Nurse say to John, “God send his mercy on you, John”?

What is meant by Rev. Parris saying, “It is a weighty name”?

Why does Rebecca Nurse say to John, “God send his mercy on you, John”?

What is meant by Rev. Parris saying, “It is a weighty name”?


What is more important to Proctor than his life, and what lesson does this teach his sons and others?

Why does Elizabeth not try to stop her husband for being hanged?

What is more important to Proctor than his life, and what lesson does this teach his sons and others?

Why does Elizabeth not try to stop her husband for being hanged?


How have the people of Salem changed in the way they view the hangings?

How is the staging of the hangings symbolic?

How have the people of Salem changed in the way they view the hangings?

How is the staging of the hangings symbolic?


What is Arthur Miller telling the audience by having the hangings take place before “Amen” could be said?

What is Arthur Miller telling the audience by having the hangings take place before “Amen” could be said?

Focus Questions The Crucible: Act I. Focus Questions The Crucible takes place in 1692 in Salem,...

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