The Crucible: Act 1 Questions
1. Why is Reverend Parris afraid of greeting his parishioners?
2. Why did Mrs. Putnam send her daughter to Tituba?
3. Describe Proctor’s response when Abigail speaks of her love for him.
4. Explain why Rebecca does not think Betty is touched by the evil.
5. Why is Mrs. Putnam so quick to believe that Goody Osborne is a witch?
6. Throughout this act Miller includes information about land disputes, lawsuits, and
job appointments. What effect do you predict this new crisis of suspected witchcraft
will have on the community?
The Crucible: Act 2 Questions
1. Why does Elizabeth think that Abigail would like to get rid of her?
2. For which two things does Reverend Hale criticize about Proctor?
3. When Cheever finds a needle in the doll, why does the needle convince him that
Elizabeth is a witch?
4. What does Proctor want Mary Warren to tell the court?
5. Evaluate the relationship between Elizabeth and John Proctor. Who is more to
blame for their marital problems?
6. What is the most important thing that Proctor learns about himself at the end of Act
Two? Explain your answer with details from the play.
7. Why have so many people been arrested? What do you think is motivating the
officials of Salem? Think about: who is making the accusations and why; why no one
speaks against the accusers; the types of women who have been accused; how the
pattern of accusation changes; which characters are most sincere in their belief in
which craft.
The Crucible: Act 3 Questions
1. What is Proctor’s goal in bringing Mary Warren to court?
2. Proctor brings Danforth the signatures of the ninety-one people who have a good
opinion of the accused. What do the judges do with the list? What is their
motivation for doing so?
3. What two things does Danforth learn about Abigail that make him doubt her
character?
4. How do you account for the way Reverend Hale has changed since the beginning of
the play?
5. Evaluate Giles Corey’s behavior in court. Do you think he handles himself
recklessly? Cite lines from the play that help your answer.
The Crucible: Act 4 Questions
1. Where does Parris think Abigail has gone? What evidence supports his claim?
2. Why does Hale say, “There is blood on my hands!”?
3. Describe what Proctor appears to value at the end of the play.
4. Explain why you think Reverend Hale has urged the prisoners to confess to a lie.
What does this suggest to you about the way that he has changed?
5. Who do you think is the most courageous character in the play?
6. The word crucible means “a severe test or trial” why do you think Miller chose to give
his play this title?