The Crucible
Act 1 Comprehension Questions
Directions:
● Answer the following questions to ensure you understand the players and
action in Act 1.
● Find and quote specific passages to support your answers.
Why was Abigail asked to leave the Proctor’s
home? What are Abigail’s feelings for John
Proctor? For Elizabeth Proctor? (pp. 12, 21-24)
Why do the Putnams start talking about
witchcraft? What do they and others mention as
signs of witchcraft? (pp.14-15)
How is Proctor described as he first enters the
stage? (Be sure to include his view of himself.) (pp.
20-21)
What does Proctor have against Reverend Parris?
(pp. 27-32)
How is Rebecca Nurse described? Why did some in
the society resent the Nurse family? How does this
explain Putnam being the guiding hand behind the
accusations of witchcraft? (pp25-26)
What type of literary device does Proctor use when
he says, “Society will not be a bag to swing around
your head, Mr. Putnam.”? (p. 27) What is the main
subject? To what is it being compared? What
associations does the reader make?
Discuss the significance of Rebecca Nurse’s line:
“There is prodigious danger in the seeking of loose
spirits. I fear it, I fear it. Let us rather blame
ourselves…” (Consider the thematic idea of the
danger of ideology.)
How is Hale described when he comes to Salem?
(Specifically write about his attitude and view of
self.) (pp.34-36)
How is Tituba led into confessing and naming
people? (pp. 43-47)