The Crucible
By Arthur Miller
Comprehension Check
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1. What is wrong with Betty Parris?
She is sick of unknown causes; lies in a
coma-like state.
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2. How does Tituba react to Betty’s
condition?
She is very worried about her – almost
panicked.
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3. What news does Susanna bring from
the doctor?
There is no “natural” cause for her
condition.
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4. What rumor is circulating about Betty?
That she has been touched by witchcraft;
that she has been trying to fly.
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5. How does Abigail initially defend the
girls’ behavior in the woods?
They were only dancing; it was “sport.”
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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.
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7. What did Parris see in the woods?
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A girl running and dancing naked.
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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.”
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9. In what condition is Ruth Putnam?
She is in the same condition as Betty; in a
coma-like trance.
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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.
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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.
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12. Why did Abigail drink blood?
It was a “charm” to kill Elizabeth Proctor
so that Abigail could be with John.
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13. How does Abigail threaten the other
girls?
She says she will kill them if they talk, just
like her parents were killed.
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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.
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15. What happens when John and Abigail
are left alone?
Abigail comes on to John – tried to seduce
him.
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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.
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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.
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18. About what are Proctor and Putnam
fighting?
Land ownership; Putnam believes part of
Proctor’s land is rightfully his.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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The minister of Salem’s church.
John Proctor
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Local farmer who hates hypocrisy; carries
a hidden sin.
Giles Corey
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An elderly but feisty farmer; famous for
filing lawsuits.
Tituba
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Reverend Parris’ slave from Barbados.
Ruth Putnam
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Putnam’s lone surviving daughter out of
eight; she is “sick” also.
Abigail Williams
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Parris’ niece, she has a capacity for
dissembling.
Ann Putnam
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Sends her daughter to Tituba to find out
who “murdered” her babies.
Betty Parris
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Reverend Parris’ daughter; her sickness
fuels the first rumors of witchcraft.
Rebecca Nurse
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The voice of reason in Salem; she
disapproves of the talk of witchcraft.
Thomas Putnam
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A wealthy, influential citizen of Salem; he
holds a grudge because his brother-in-law
was not appointed minister of Salem.
Reverend Hale
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A young minister reputed to be an expert
on witchcraft.
Act I Quotations
The Crucible
Abigail Williams
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“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
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“You think it God’s work you should never
lose a child, nor grandchild either, and I
bury all but one?”
Giles Corey
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“Last night-mark this- I tried and tried and
could not say my prayers.”
Reverend Parris
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“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
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“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
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“But I will cut off my hand before I’ll ever
reach for you again.”
Tituba
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“He say Mr. Parris must be kill! Mr. Parris
no goodly man, Mr. Parris mean man . . .”
Abigail Williams
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“A wild thing may say wild things. But not
so wild, I think.”
John Proctor
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“I’ve heard you be a sensible man,
Mr. Hale. I hope you’ll leave some of it in
Salem.”
Rebecca Nurse
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“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
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“I know how you clutched my back behind
your house and sweated like a stallion
whenever I come near!”
Reverend Hale
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“We cannot look to superstition in this.
The Devil is precise.”
John Proctor
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“I mean it solemnly, Rebecca; I like not
the smell of this ‘authority’.”