Victoria Fuenmayor
Period 6
02/16/2024
The Crucible, Act I
2. (a) Why does Parris send for Revered Hale?
Just after Susanna Walcott, said that Dr. Griggs had been unable to discover any medicine for Betty in his
books and raised the possibility that the little girl was the victim of a supernatural cause, Parris sent for
Reverend Hale, already that he was an expert in witchcraft and was the best to confirm or deny this
insinuation. (Lines 26-34)
(b) What does Mr. Putnam believe happened to her babies?
Mrs. Putnam is convinced that her seven unbaptized babies, who died tragically on the night of their birth,
were not victims of spontaneous circumstances. Instead, she firmly believes that a malevolent force was
behind their death. Furthermore, she now observes strange behavior in her only surviving daughter, Ruth,
who became mute, attributing the cause to some power of darkness that wanted to cover her mouth when
she was near the spirits of her siblings. (Lines 101, 107)
(c) What is a source of disagreement between Proctor and Putnam?
A source of disagreement between Proctor and Putnam is established due to the argument over the property
where Proctor harvests his timber, as Putnam claims that in his grandfather's will it appears within his
boundaries. However, Proctor suggests that he had purchased the land from Goody Nurse and that Putnam’s
grandfather had a habit of bequeathing land that never belonged to him. (Lines 295-300)
(d) To what does Tituba confess?
Tituba, under threat of being hanged, confesses to practicing witchcraft. She reveals she has seen four
women associated with the devil and begins to reveal some names. Furthermore, she claims that the devil
ordered her to kill Parris with the promise of returning to Barbados, but that she did not want to carry out
the act. This revelation strikes fear into Parris, as he realizes that the devil wishes his dead. (Lines 431, 433,
455, 471, 475)
3. Review a scene in Act I (a) Identify a detail in the scene that you found important.
In the scene 3, where John Proctor and Abigail are alone in the room with Betty, an important detail is the
fact of the desperate attempt of Abigail, who had been his lover, to win back Proctor’s affections. This is
revealed in line 183, when she says, “John, I wait for you every night,” demonstrating her intense desire
for him and her persistence in pursuing a romantic relationship with him.
(b) Explain how the detail relates to important characters and events in the text, and evaluate how
well the detail helps you understand a key idea or theme in the drama.
Abigail’s feelings for John Proctor stir up the tension of forbidden desires and their aftermath, especially
within the strained dynamic with Elizabeth Proctor. In a heated moment on line 203, Abigail accuses
Elizabeth of ruining her reputation, exclaiming, “She is blackening my name in the village! She is telling
lies about me! She is a cold, sniveling woman, and you bless here's her! Let her turn you like a—” Abigail’s
relentless pursuit of John injects raw emotion into the narrative, unraveling the intricacies of love, betrayal,
and societal expectations in a way that feels intensely human.
4. (a) What seems to be the main reason for Reverend Parri’s concern about the girls’ behavior in
the forest? Explain.
Reverend Parris's main concern about the girls’ behavior in the woods was the possibility that they were
practicing witchcraft. Mainly he feared that her daughter Betty would be sick because of this, but also
because of the fact that the population of Salem would find out that both she and his niece Abigail were
involved with dark forces, since the scandal could lead to his removal from ministerial office. (Lines 50,
54, 62)
(b) What do Abigail, Betty, Mercy, and Mary discuss after Parris leaves his daughter’s room?
After Parris leaves, Abigail, Betty, Mercy, and Mary discuss about Betty’s condition and their activities in
the woods. Abigail tells Mercy to lie about the dance if she is questioning. When Mary enters, she expresses
concern because there is talk of witchcraft in the town and urges them to tell the truth, but Abigail resists,
leading to a tense exchange. Betty briefly awakens, accusing Abigail of drinking blood and casting a spell
to kill Elizabeth, John Proctor’s wife. Abigail forcibly silences her and threatens hard consequences if she,
or any of the others, reveals more about their activities that night. (Lines 131-163)
(c) Based on this scene, what events may occur later in the play?
As a result of this scene, fallout engulfs Salem, as these girls wrongfully accuse innocent people of
practicing witchcraft to keep their secret. This alarming situation becomes evident when, along with others,
Abigail passionately exclaims in verse 481, expressing her fervent desire for spiritual redemption: “I want
to open myself! I want the light of God. I want the sweet love of Jesus! I danced for the Devil; I saw him:
I wrote in his book; I go back to Jesus; I kiss His hand. I saw Sarah Good with the Devil! I saw Goody
Osburn with the Devil! I saw Bridget Bishop with the Devil!”. This fervent confession from Abigail fuels
even more panic and fear within the town, as the unfounded accusations continue.
5. (a) Who is Reverend Hale?
Reverend Hale is a witchcraft expert and a committed Christian, who was called to Salem to examine Parris’
daughter Betty. However, some did not agree with him being called, because his arrival would make the
situation in the town even more complicated, possibly involving accusations of witchcraft that would cause
unrest and discord within the community. (Lines 34, 88-90)
(b) Do you think he is fair and impartial in his actions so far? Explain.
Reverend Hale’s initial doubt is evident as he emphasizes the need for concrete evidence, stating in line
337: “The Devil is precise; the marks of his presence are definite as stone, and I must tell you all that I shall
not proceed unless you are prepared to believe me if I should find no bruise of hell upon her.” However, as
the hysteria surrounding witchcraft accusations intensifies, Hale undergoes a notable shift, urging Tituba to
implicate others and assuring her protection in line 467, where he emphasizes: “You are selected, Tituba,
you are chosen to help us cleanse our village. So speak utterly, Tituba, turn your back on him and face
God—face God, Tituba, and God will protect you.” This alteration in Hale’s approach raises concerns about
his initial fairness, indicating a susceptibility to the prevailing paranoia in Salem and a departure from his
earlier commitment to a more measured investigation.
6. (a) Summarize Abigail's prior relationship with the Proctors.
Abigail Williams, a former maid at the Proctor residence, was in a romantic relationship with John
Proctor. This liaison led to her dismissal by Elizabeth Proctor, resulting in a significant tarnishing of
Abigail's reputation. Afterwards, she found it difficult to get a job in Salem. Despite the termination of
her position, Abigail harbors intense feelings for John and strives to rekindle their relationship. (Lines
183, 203, 206)
(b) What does Betty's revelation about Abigail's actions in the forest suggest about Abigail's
feelings for Elizabeth Proctor?
Betty’s fervent assertion in line 157, claiming, “You did, you did! You drank a charm to kill John Proctor’s
wife! You drank a charm to kill Goody Proctor!” reveals Abigail’s malicious intent to harm Elizabeth
Proctor. This accusation goes beyond mere resentment, indicating a calculated plot to eliminate his wife,
either fueled by intense jealousy or a desperate desire to possess John Proctor for herself.
The Crucible, Act II
2. (a) Why does Hale visit the Proctors’ home?
Hale wanted to speak to all the people whose names had been mentioned in court in connection with
witchcraft. Going beyond court orders, he went to Mr. Proctor's home to inform him of his wife's mention
in the proceedings, although Proctor already knew about it from Mary Warren. (Lines 201-203)
(b) What do some of the accused, such as Sarah Good, do to save themselves from hanging?
Some of the accused, such as Sarah Good, saved themselves from hanging by admitting their involvement
in witchcraft and dark forces. In her confession, relayed by Mary Warren in line 107, Sarah Good stated,
“she sometimes made a compact with Lucifer and wrote her name in his black book - with her blood - and
bound herself to torment Christians till God's thrown down -and we all must worship Hell forevermore.”
By openly acknowledging her supposed pact with the devil and providing this detailed confession, she
opted for a strategy of revealing the truth, as opposed to denying the accusations, thus securing her safety
during the intense witch trials.
(c) What “evidence” of Elizabeth’s guilt does Cheever find?
Cheever arrives at the Proctor house looking for a poppet and just after finding it, he notices that there is a
needle stuck under its skirt. Because it matched the scene that had happened, in which Abigail Williams
found herself with a needle insert two inches into the flesh of her belly, they thought Abigail had been
telling the truth when she declared that it was Elizabeth’s spirit who had stabbed her. the needle. Therefore,
it was used as evidence to find Elizabeth guilty. (Lines 330, 333, 346, 352, 355)
3. (a) Specify a passage that you paraphrased to increase comprehension.
The passage I found most difficult to understand and therefore had to paraphrase to increase my
understanding was line 249 when Hale states: “Theology, sir, is a fortress; no crack in a fortress may be
accounted small.”
(b) In what way did paraphrasing increase you understanding of the passage?
By rephrasing Hale’s statement, I deciphered the underlying meaning that any transgression, regardless of
its perceived insignificance, has the potential to erode one’s faith and render them susceptible to the
influence of malevolent forces such as the devil (Line 249). This transformation of language allowed me to
grasp the significance of the metaphorical fortress of theology and how even a minor breach could lead to
spiritual vulnerability.
4. (a) How does news of the arrest of Rebecca Nurse affect the Proctors?
Rebecca Nurse’s arrest shocks the Proctor family and forces them to confront the severity of the Salem
hysteria. The overseers are alarmed by the participation of someone as virtuous as Rebecca in the witch
trials. The simple mention of her name in court highlights the indiscriminate nature of the accusations,
increasing the Proctors’ awareness of their vulnerability within the community and a sense of concern can
be felt regarding the hope that Elizabeth, the wife of John Proctor, escape similar accusations. Overall, the
stark realization that innocence has little influence intensifies the tension within their home. (Lines 203-
211)
(b) What does this news suggest about Abigail Williams’s changing status in Salem? Explain.
Abigail Williams emerges as an influential figure in Salem, wielding an unusual level of power for a young,
unmarried woman. Her capacity to devastate lives through accusations extends even to the esteemed
members of the community. John Proctor’s remark in line 210, “I—have no knowledge in that line. But it’s
hard to think so pious a woman be secretly a Devil’s bitch after seventy year of such good prayer,” not only
emphasizes Abigail’s significant influence in shaping accusations but also raises questions about the
legitimacy of these allegations.
5. Is Hale a good person? Explain your answer.
Reverend Hale comes across as a well-meaning but inexperienced witch hunter who puts his trust in the
court's authority and the truth of the accusations. The arrest of Rebecca Nurse, a highly regarded figure in
the community, troubles him. Despite his discomfort, he doesn't openly challenge the court or the girls’
statements and instead encourages the accused to admit guilt to spare their lives. He isn’t malicious yet
lacks the courage and heroism to stand against the prevailing assumptions and biases. Hale is essentially a
man of faith, albeit one whose judgment is clouded by preconceived notions and prejudices (Lines 137,
203)
6. (a) Did Mary Warren know how the poppet she gave Elizabeth would be used? Explain.
Marry Warrant crafted the poppet she gifted to Elizabeth without knowing how it would be utilized. Her
initial intention was merely to create a distraction for herself after extended periods at court, finding solace
in sewing (Line 92). Despite this, if Marry were aware of its intended use, she would likely deny any
knowledge, driven by the fear of potential reprisals or attacks.
(b) Were Marry Warren and Abigail Williams working together against Elizabeth Proctor? Support
your argument with evidence from the text.
It can be speculated that Marry Warren and Abigail Williams collaborated to undermine Elizabeth Proctor.
This is due to the fact that when John Proctor implores Marry Warren to testify about how the poppet came
into the house and the needle, Marry Warren, in fear of Abigail, declares in line 429, “She’ll kill me for
sayin’ that! Abby’ll charge lechery on you, Mr. Proctor!” This reveals their sinister alliance, strategically
eliminating potential witnesses and intensifying the false accusations against Elizabeth.
7. (a) What evidence supports Proctor’s statement that “vengeance is walking Salem”?
Proctor’s statement that “vengeance is walking Salem” suggests that people in Salem seek revenge by
falsely accusing others of witchcraft. Evidence supporting this includes Abigail’s false accusation against
Elizabeth Proctor, in which she claims that Elizabeth’s spirit stuck a needle in her belly using a voodoo
doll, out of envy of her relationship with John Proctor, managing to incriminate her. This example shows
how personal problems and revenge are creating false accusations in the community. (Lines 352, 390)
(b) How significant is this observation in light of Miller’s message about the McCarthy era?
Through John Proctor, Arthur Miller conveys a critique of the atmosphere of the McCarthy era
characterized by fear and suspicion. Proctor’s statement at line 390: “I’ll not give my wife to vengeance!”
He highlights Miller’s disapproval of the unjust destruction of lives. This reflects the McCarthy era, where
people encountered unjustified accusations resulting in ruined reputations.
