The Crucible Reading Guide
Introduction
1. Who is the author of the play?
2. What twentieth century historical event may have influenced the author to write the play?
3. Identify the setting of the play. (time and place)
Act 1
4. What was Samuel Parris’s attitude toward children?
5. What is the supposed cause of Betty’s illness?
6. What had Abigail, Tituba, Betty, and the other girls done the night before?
7. After Parris begins to believe his daughter to be afflicted by witchcraft, what is Thomas Putnam’s
advice to him?
8. What truths come out when the adults leave the girls alone?
9. What’s going on between Abigail and John Proctor?
10. How does Abigail feel about Elizabeth Proctor? Why?
11. List three examples of disputes between Rev. Parris and his parishioners.
12. What does this reveal about Parris?
13. Why has Rev. Hale been summoned?
14. What is Rev. Hale’s reasoning for the devil coming to the home of Rev. Parris?
15. Who first suggests the names of the people who might consort with the devil?
16. Before he begins his investigation, what does Rev. Hale insist that the people agree upon?
17. Though Rev. Hale is trying to get Tituba to name her accomplices, who is the first person to
actually mention names?
18. When questioned by Hale, whom does Abigail accuse?
19. According to Rev Hale, what is God’s plan for Tituba?
20. Whom does Tituba name as witches? What do these people have in common?
21. What do Abigail and Betty do after Tituba names the witches? Why do you think they do this?
22. What do you believe is Miller’s purpose in showing the squabbling among the church members?
23. Why are some people, including John Proctor, inclined to stay away from Sabbath meeting?
24. Why does Hale believe the Devil would strike Rev. Parris’s house?
25. Why isn’t it difficult for Ann Putnam to believe that Goody Osburn is a witch?
Act II
26. How many judges were brought in from Boston?
27. What happens to the accused who confess? What happens to those who do not confess?
28. What kinds of proof are used in court?
29. Explain the reason for Martha Corey being charged as a witch.
30. What information does Mary Warren bring to the Proctors about the court?
31. What is Elizabeth accused of in court? By whom? Why does Elizabeth think she was accused?
32. What does Elizabeth want John to do?
33. What two reasons motivate Rev. Hale to visit the Proctors?
34. What test does Rev. Hale give John, and what is the ironic result?
35. When the marshal comes to arrest Elizabeth, the poppet which Mary has given her is
incriminating evidence. Why?
36. How does John hope to defend Elizabeth?
37. Why is Mary Warren afraid of telling the truth about Abigail, for herself and for John?
Act III
38. Why does Mary Warren turn against the other girls?
39. What proof do Giles Cory, John Procter, and Francis Nurse bring to the court to save their wives?
40. What has Elizabeth Proctor told the court about herself? As a result, what does Danforth
promise?
41. Who provides legal advice for the men? Is he a lawyer?
42. According to Giles Cory, what will Putman gain if Jacobs is hanged?
43. Why is Giles arrested?
44. How does Hale feel about the trials at this point, especially about the condemnation of Rebecca
Nurse and the fact that the three men do not have a lawyer?
45. What do Mercy, Suzanne, and Abigail do to discredit Mary so that her confession will not be
believed?
46. What does John Proctor finally do to save his wife?
47. John had testified that his wife has never lied; however, she does lie to save him. What lie does
she tell, and what is the result?
48. Who accuses John Proctor?
49. What does Rev. Hale do at the end of Act III
Act IV
50. Why is Rev. Hale returned?
51. What affect do the trials have on the condition of Salem?
52. What have Abigail and Mercy done? What is the significance of their actions?
53. Why does Parris react as he does to Rev. Hale?
54. How does the town of Andover react to the happenings in Salem?
55. Explain the change in Rev. Parris.
56. Why is there so much concern about the hangings that are about to take place?
57. What is Danfoth’s position about what is occurring?
58. What plea does the Rev. Hale make?
59. What do Danforth, Hale, and Parris want Elizabeth to do? Why won’t she do it?
60. Why and how is Giles killed?
61. Procter confesses, but he is till condemned to die. Why?
62. Explain the line when Elizabeth says, “He may have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from
him!”