The Crucible
Study Questions
Act I:
1. What is the setting of the play (location and year)? Spring, 1692
Salem, Mass., Parris home
2. What does Dr. Griggs think caused Betty’s illness? Unnatural causes
3. What were Abigail and Betty doing in the forest? Dancing
4. What is Reverend Parris’ main concern? He is concerned that his enemies will use this information against him, and as a result, he will lose his job
5. What was Tituba doing when Parris found her in the forest? She was conjuring Ruth’s sisters to come out of the grave
6. What else does Parris say that he saw in the forest that night? He saw someone naked
7. Why does Abigail say she was dismissed by the Proctors? She says that Mrs. Proctor hates her for her not wanting to be Mrs. Proctor’s slave
8. What does Mrs. Putnam believe Tituba knows how to do? She believes that Tituba can speak to the Devil
9. What does Mrs. Putnam believe happened to her babies? She believes that they were murdered
10. How does Mercy wake Ruth? She beats her
11. What is the penalty of being convicted of witchcraft? Hanging
12. What is the penalty for dancing? Whipping
13. What information does Abigail withhold from Parris about that night? That she drank blood
14. Why does Abigail “drink a charm” according to Betty? To kill Goody Proctor
15. What happened in the past between John Proctor and Abigail? How do each of them feel about it now? They had an affair. Abigail is in love with Proctor while Proctor does not want to have anything to do with Abigail
16. How many ministers has Salem had in seven years? 3
17. What is Parris’ salary? What unusual request does he make of his congregation? Sixty-six pounds; the deed to the house
18. What does Parris believe is the final authority? How does his philosophy differ from Proctor’s? Parris argues that the authority of the church is supreme; church members must obey the pastor or “the church will burn like Hell is burning!” Proctor argues that individual conscience is the final authority; every church member has the right to say what he believes.
19. What does the dialogue between Parris, Proctor, Putnam, and Corey in which they disagree about matters of money and real estate seem to say about their society? It emphasizes the overall atmosphere of greed and frustration
20. Who is responsible for sending their child to conjure spirits? Why? Ann Putnam; to learn who murdered her babies
21. Which souls does Hale say the Devil wants to conquer? the Devil wants the Best souls
22. Who did Tituba call? the Devil
23. What kind of blood does Tituba give the girls? chicken blood
24. Why does Tituba say that she believes someone else is “witchin’” the children? for fear of being hanged
25. How many does Tituba say came with her to the Devil? 4
26. Who does Tituba say the Devil wants her to kill? Parris
27. Who is the first person to accuse specific individuals? What can you infer from this? Thomas Putnam; Sarah Good and Osburn are people whom the Putnams do not like or against whom the Putnams have grievances
28. Who does Tituba accuse of being witches? Good, Osburn
29. Who does Abigail accuse? Good, Osburn, Bridget Bishop, Sibber, Hawkins, and Booth
30. Who does Betty accuse? George Jacobs, Howe, Martha Bellows, Alice Barrow, Bibber
31. Which characters do the main questioning in Act I? Which characters are the subjects of questioning? Main interrogators: Parris and Hale; questionees: Abigail and Tituba
32. Which character or characters arouse your sympathy the most? Explain.
Answers will vary
33. Do you think the questions and methods of questioning are fair? Explain.
Answers will vary