The Crucible

1
The Crucible

• Part 2 Test Review

2
Act 2
3
In what way has Mary Warren changed and what
changed her?

• Mary Warren has changed from a subservient
  household maid to a defiant, rebellious young
  woman. Her position and authority as a part of
  the Salem court system has caused this change.
  She feels like she no longer has to answer to
  Elizabeth Proctor because, if it weren't for her,
  Elizabeth would have been convicted of witchcraft
  right then and there. Therefore, she feels that
  Elizabeth owes her her life and is in no position
  to make demands.

4
How would you describe the relationship of John
and Elizabeth Proctor at the beginning of this
scene?

• John and Elizabeth Proctor seem to have a
  somewhat strained relationship, but their
  affection for each other is still clear. John
  tries hard to please Elizabeth, but it is
  extremely difficult for him due to her
  depression. Elizabeth clearly loves her husband,
  but she has a difficult time trusting him because
  she thinks he has been unfaithful. On top of
  this, his indecision is a source of frustration
  for her. She knows what he needs to do but she is
  unable to persuade him to do it as expediently as
  she would like.

5
What is it she wants him to do?

• Elizabeth wants John to go to Salem and reveal
  what Abigail told him about how the strange
  incidents have nothing to do with witchcraft.
  This would stop the trials and prevent the deaths
  of those accused. For John, the issue is not as
  clear-cut as Elizabeth makes it. While his
  relationship with Abigail is over, he is still
  less than exuberant about publicly debasing her.
  Going to the court would also mean involvement in
  his community, which he would prefer to avoid.

6
Why can't John prove what Abigail told him? Why
does Elizabeth pick up on this?

• John can't prove what Abigail told him because he
  was alone with her when she said it, making him
  the only witness. Elizabeth picks up on this
  because it differs from the story John told her
  originally. It is understandable that John would
  alter the story in order to avoid hurting his
  wife, but alterations are more dangerous than
  beneficial if not used with consistency. Now he
  has hurt his wife twofold-- first by being alone
  with Abigail and second by lying about it.

7
Of what does John accuse Elizabeth?

• John accuses Elizabeth of judging him too
  harshly. He points out the fact that she, too,
  has faults that she should correct before she
  passes judgment. This belief is strengthened by
  his quote, "Some dream I had must have mistaken
  you for God that day. But you're not, you're not,
  and let you remember it! Let you look sometimes
  for the goodness in me, and judge me not." This
  is vital later in the play when Proctor
  specifically seeks his wife's judgment. She
  admits her sins, in addition to the fact that
  judgment is not hers to give-- it is between John
  and God.

8
As he is about to whip Mary Warren, John stops
short. What was it she told him?

• Mary Warren tells John Proctor that the saved
  Elizabeth's life at the courthouse. Her name was
  "somewhat mentioned" (as is the style during
  shady court proceedings) and Mary objected,
  saying that she had never seen any sign of
  Elizabeth's witchcraft during the time she worked
  for her.

9
Who does Elizabeth think called out her name and
why?

• Elizabeth thinks Abigail called out her name.
  Elizabeth believes that Abigail means to take her
  place when she is dead. This may sound like the
  paranoia, but it is not far from the truth. While
  it is not made clear at this point, it is
  revealed in Act II, Scene 2 that Abigail means to
  do exactly that, thereby justifying Elizabeth's
  fears.

10
What does Elizabeth want John to do now?

• Elizabeth wants John to go to Abigail and destroy
  once and for all any illusions she has that John
  loves her. Elizabeth feels that Abigail may be
  misinterpreting John's shame for passion, and
  this illusion causes Abigail to accuse her of
  witchcraft.

11
Why is he reluctant to do so?

• John Proctor has a number of qualms regarding his
  character, but one of his traits that he has no
  doubt about is his honesty. John Proctor sees
  himself as an honest man and to "break the
  promise," as Elizabeth puts it, seems deceitful.
  The fact that the "promise" is to a mendacious
  young woman is irrelevant-- deceit, in whatever
  form, is against John's nature. This is another
  key concept because he will later have to decide
  whether or not to give in to dishonesty to save
  his life.

12
Why has the Rev. Hale come to their house?

• The Rev. Hale has come to the Proctor house to
  inquire about the family's Christian nature.
  Despite Mary's statements to the contrary,
  Elizabeth has been accused of being a witch. Rev.
  Hale intends to use what he finds out in the
  court when it comes time for her to be tried.

13
When Hale says these are strange times, how
might that have applied equally to 1952?

• In these "strange times," people who have been
  good, law-abiding citizens with little or no mark
  of blame upon them suddenly take on vile
  qualities when viewed from the eyes of their
  accusers. This was true in both 1692 and 1952.

14
As proof of witchcraft, Rev. Hale points out
that a number of people have already confessed to
being witches. What is Proctor's response?

• Proctor's reasonable response is that people will
  confess to just about anything to save themselves
  from death. This has already been proven to be
  true in Tituba's case.

15
Who stuck the pin in Abigail's belly and why?

• Abigail stuck the pin in her own belly and
  started screaming about it. It was all part of
  her elaborate plan to frame Elizabeth Proctor.
  The same day she prompted Mary Warren to make the
  poppet, stick a needle in it, and give it to
  Elizabeth Proctor. Abigail believes that the
  poppet, coupled with her act in court, will be
  enough to convict Elizabeth to hang.

16
To what does Hale attribute the calamity that
has befallen Salem?

• Hale attributes the calamity to someone or
  something in the village that drew the wrath of
  God. This is a logical explanation when one
  considers that the Bible is the basis of Salem
  society. The majority of Biblical catastrophes
  are sparked by someone or something invoking the
  wrath of God (e.g. the destruction of Sodom and
  Gomorrah, the plagues on Egypt, etc.) therefore
  it only makes sense that this disaster should
  follow the same trend.

17
Why does this hit home with Proctor?

• Rev. Hale's statement hits home with Proctor
  because it leads him to wonder if he may be the
  cause of it. He knows he has not been pure of
  heart, not is he a perfect man. He knows he
  lusted for Abigail, which in Puritan society
  might as well be the same thing as committing
  adultery-- one of the worst sins in Puritan
  society. In the back of his mind the thought
  begins to fester that perhaps his transgression
  brought this upon the village.

18
What does Mary say Abby will do if Proctor goes
into court to denounce her?

• Mary says that Abby will charge Proctor with
  lechery if he goes to court. This would not only
  ruin his good name but would also leave him open
  to the legal punishment related to adultery.

19
What is Proctor's response?

• Proctor's resolution is not shaken. He is
  determined to bring down Abby and save his wife,
  whatever the cost to him. He will not allow
  Abigail to have her way even if it does mean his
  reputation will be irreparably damaged.

20
Why is Mary afraid to say anything in court?

• Mary is afraid to say anything in court because
  she knows Abby's power and recalls her threat
  vividly. Mary fears for her life, knowing that if
  Abby accuses her of witchcraft her only options
  will be to back down or face death.

21
Act 3
22
Why does Giles say that he "broke charity" with
his wife?

• Giles says that he broke charity with his wife
  because it was his comment that led to her
  arrest. He revealed to Hale that his wife's book
  reading hindered his prayer, and this was enough
  evidence to condemn her for being a witch. Had he
  simply kept the issue between him and his wife,
  her condemnation would probably not have
  happened.

23
How has Rev. Hale changed since we last saw
him in Act 2 and John Proctor called him Pontius
Pilate?

• Rev. Hale is no longer bold and confident in his
  search for witches. He has strong misgivings
  about the validity of the entire process. Now he
  is open, willing, and even eager to hear evidence
  that may prove that witchcraft is not present in
  Salem. Unfortunately the trials have progressed
  to such a level that he is powerless to stop
  them.

24
Why is Mary Warren's testimony critical for
Hale, Proctor, Nurse and Corey?

• If Mary Warren can prove that the witchcraft is
  all Abigail's creation, it will free the wives of
  Proctor, Nurse, and Corey and ease Hale's
  conscience. At this point, she is the only person
  not entirely under Abigail's control who can stop
  the proceedings with few personal repercussions.
  If she succeeds, Abigail will fall from her seat
  of glory, the women will be pardoned, and things
  will be able to return to normal in Salem. If
  not, Abigail will retain her control, the women
  will eventually hang, and the madness will
  continue.

25
What does Mary Warren tell Governor Danforth?

• Mary Warren tells Governor Danforth that her
  former actions were all pretense and that the
  other girls were acting as well. This statement
  is in direct contradiction to all her former
  actions in the courtroom.

26
Why does Proctor not drop the charges against
the court when he hears that his wife is pregnant
and will be spared for at least a year?

• Proctor does not drop the charges against the
  court because he sees how his friends are
  suffering on account of their wives'
  condemnation. He has taken the first step into
  community involvement and solving his personal
  problems is no longer enough. Proctor knows that
  he holds the key-- he can no longer turn back.

27
Why does Proctor say that his wife must be
pregnant if she has said so?

• Proctor states that his wife must be pregnant
  because lying is simply against her nature. This
  statement becomes vital later on in the act when
  she is interrogated in order to prove if this is
  the case or not.

28
What happens to the ninety-one people who signed
the petition in support of the accused?

• The ninety-one people who signed the petition are
  summoned for questioning. By supporting the
  accused, regardless of her community standing,
  they are getting caught up in the web of
  accusations. These people who signed the petition
  are forced to face the unpleasant consequences of
  their community involvement.

29
What is the charge that Giles Corey makes against
Putnam?

• Giles Corey charges Putnam for making his
  daughter cry witchery on George Jacobs. Giles
  feels that Putnam had the motivation for doing it
  because if Jacob dies, he will forfeit his
  property. Putnam is the only man in the community
  who is wealthy enough to buy that land-- a likely
  scenario considering his materialistic attitude
  revealed earlier.

30
What is Giles Corey's proof for his charge, and
why will he not supply the proof to the court?

• Giles Corey's proof is that a friend heard Putnam
  mention the plan. Corey will not supply the name
  to the court because he already saw what happened
  to the ninety-one petitioners. He is noble enough
  to refuse to allow that fate to befall another
  friend.

31
Why does Danforth find it hard to believe that
Abigail could be pretending and, in effect, be a
murderer?

• Danforth finds it hard to believe that Abigail
  could be pretending because, if it truly is
  witchcraft, she would be the only one who would
  know about it anyway. Witchcraft is an invisible
  crime, with the only witnesses being the witch
  and the victim. Since the witch cannot be
  expected to incriminate herself, only the victim
  can provide the evidence. As far as Danforth
  knows, Abigail may very well be tormented by
  spirits, and therefore she must be believed.

32
How does the questioning of Mary Warren differ
from the questioning of Abigail? Why?

• Mary Warren is questioned in a way that makes it
  clear that Danforth is very skeptical-- at best--
  about her evidence. Danforth also puts Mary in a
  position that essentially damns her if she
  recants her former testimony. He reminds her that
  God damns all liars and that she will be sent to
  jail for lying now or having lied before.
  Therefore, the atmosphere that Danforth creates
  makes it extremely difficult for Mary to tell the
  truth as she knows it. On the contrary, Abigail
  is given the benefit of the doubt when she
  testifies. The judges have no choice-- her
  testimony is the basis of all the hearings. While
  Mary does not have to be believed, Abigail must
  in order to justify the incarceration of so many
  of the town's citizens.

33
Why can't Mary give a show of pretense when
asked by the court?

• Mary can't give a show of pretense because the
  atmosphere is entirely different. When she did it
  in the court, all the other girls were doing the
  same thing and the judges were encouraging it. It
  was the acceptable thing to do-- not fainting and
  screaming would be considered improper. In the
  court, she was simply giving them what they
  wanted to see. This time, to do so would be to
  act against the girls-- the accepted authority in
  the courtroom. The judges still believe that the
  girls are acting truthfully and their attitudes
  make that clear. With her only support in the
  room being John Proctor, it is little wonder that
  Mary cannot give a show of pretense.

34
When Abigail is questioned by Danforth, how does
she respond?

• Abigail gets extremely defensive when questioned
  by Danforth. She insists that she suffers greatly
  to fulfill her duty pointing out the Devil's
  people. She also threatens Danforth directly and
  says that the powers of Hell have the ability to
  turn even his wits. Then, in order to direct the
  negative attention elsewhere, Abigail makes
  another show of pretense and indicates Mary
  Warren is witching her.

35
In calling Abigail a whore, what charge and
punishment does Proctor open himself for? Why has
he made this confession?

• In calling Abigail a whore, John Proctor has
  thrown away his good name and has opened himself
  for charges (and corresponding punishment) of
  lechery, one of the worst crimes in Puritan
  society. He makes this confession in hopes of
  discrediting Abigail and stopping the
  proceedings. This is a major leap into the waters
  of community involvement for John Proctor. He has
  gone to the extreme of throwing away something
  very valuable to him-- his good reputation-- in
  order to save his wife and the wives of his
  friends. He realizes that even if the witch
  trials are stopped he will still be punished for
  lechery, but the potential benefits outweigh the
  risk.

36
What test is Elizabeth given, and how does she
fail it? Why?

• Elizabeth is asked if John ever committed
  lechery. When she doesn't answer, she is asked if
  her husband is a lecher. After hesitating and
  probably a lot of soul searching while in jail,
  she responds that he isnt. John Proctor had
  counted on her to say that he was because he knew
  she truly believed it. She did NOT know the
  purpose of the question, and by changing her
  mind, she has condemned herself, her husband, and
  her friends because the trials continue!

37
What causes Mary Warren to crack?

• Abigail's show and corresponding charges of
  witchcraft cause Mary Warren to crack. She
  realizes that Abigail was serious in her threat
  to kill anyone who opposes her. If Mary Warren is
  accused of being a witch, she will truly hang.
  Mary knows that Abigail can provide for her
  protection and freedom while John Proctor no
  longer has anything to offer. Therefore, she
  joins Abigail and the other girls once more by
  accusing John Proctor of witchcraft.

38
On what dramatic note does Act III end?

• Act III ends on the dramatic note of Proctor
  being accused of being a witch, and then
  declaring that God is dead and condemning the
  court. These two statements are completely
  against the Puritan religion and reinforce the
  chaos and pandemonium the trials brought to
  Salem.

39
General quotes and information
40
Authority

• The authority of the church is supreme and if
  church members dont obey the minister, chaos
  will ensue, and the church will be destroyed.

• Reverend Parris
• Reverend Hale

41
Authority

• Individual conscience is the final authority, and
  every church member has the right to say what he
  believes.

• John Proctor

42
Hales visit reveals

• John Proctor rarely attends church
• One of their children is not baptized
• John Proctor cannot say all of his commandments
• Proctor doesnt like Parris
• Elizabeth and Proctor do not believe that witches
  are among them

43
John Proctor as the voice of reason

• Points out to Mary that not being able to say her
  commandments does not make Goody Good a witch
• Its strange work for a Christian girl to hand
  old women.
• Its hard to think so pious a woman be secretly
  a Devils bitch after seventy year of such good
  prayer.
• In response to Hales argument that those who
  have been convicted of witchcraft have confessed
  to it, he says, And why not, if they must hang
  for denyin it?
• Wonders if the court will believe his story when
  Hale doubts Elizabeth.

44
The charges

• For the marvelous and supernatural murder of
  Goody Putnams babies
• For bewitching Walcotts pigs
• For sending her spirit to stick a needle in
  Abigail Williams

• Rebecca Nurse
• Martha Corey
• Elizabeth Proctor

45
My wife is the very brick and mortar of the
church

• Francis Nurse was saying that his wife is the
  material of which Salems religious community is
  built and the substance that holds it together.

46
what keeps you so late? Its almost dark!

• Helps to characterize Elizabeth as suspicious of
  John Proctors actions. She thinks he has been
  to see Abigail.

47
Your justice would freeze beer.

• Hyperbole
• used to characterize Elizabeth as unforgiving and
  cold.

48
What victory would the devil have to win a soul
already bad?

• Foreshadows the eventual charges
• against respectable citizens.

49
There is a misty plot afoot so subtle we should
be criminal to cling to old respects and ancient
friendships.

• Hale defending the witch trials when
• Rebecca Nurse is arrested.

50
I cannot think the Devil may own a womans soul
when she keeps an upright way.

• Represents Elizabeth Proctors view
• about the charges of witchcraft.

51
I cannot sleep for dreamin I cannot dream but
I wake and walk about the house as though Id
find you comin through some door.

• Demonstrates Abigails obsession with
• John Proctor.

52
The Devil is precise the marks of his pretense
are definite as stone.

• Ironic statement made by Hale to the people of
  Salem when he is about to ascertain whether or
  not Betty has been touched by the devil. He
  says there is specific evidence to identify the
  devils touch, but then he sets about to use
  ambiguous proof.

53
We are only what we always were, but naked now.
And the wind, Gods icy wind, will blow!

• People are either virtuous or they are not. It
  doesnt matter whether their true nature is
  secret or common knowledge, God knows

54
Pontius Pilate! God will not let you wash your
hands of this!

• allusion
• By doing nothing to stop it, Hale is guilty of
  whatever happens to the accused people.

55
I have three childrenhow may I teach them to
walk like men in the world, and I sold my
friends?

• A person must set a good example not only with
  words but also with deeds.

56
A fire is burning! I hear the boot of
Lucifer, I see his filthy face! And it is my
face, and yours, Danforth! For them that quail
to bring men out of ignorance, as I have
quailed, and as you quail now when you know in
all your black hearts that this be fraudGod
damns our kind especially, and we will burn
together!

• When you know someone is committing a wrong, but
  you dont do anything about it, you are more
  guilty than the person who committed the wrong.
  God will surely punish you accordingly.

57
She thinks to dance with me on my wifes grave!
And well she might, for I thought of her softly.
God help me, I lusted, and there is a promise in
such sweat. But it is a whores vengeance, and
you must see it.

• Proctor reveals Abigails motivation in
• seeing his wife condemned.

58
Let you not mistake your duty as I mistook my
own. I came into this village like a bridegroom
to his beloved bearing gifts of high religion
the very crowns of holy law I brought, and what I
touched with my bright confidence, it died and
where I turned the eye of my great faith, blood
flowed up.

• Hale realizes his part in the witch trials
• and is trying to convince Elizabeth to compel
  Proctor to confess

59
Let either of you breathe a word, or the edge of
a word, about the other things, and I will come
to you in the black of some terrible night and I
will bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder
you and I can make you wish you had never seen
the sun go down!

• When Mary and Betty want to confess, Abigail
  threatens them to ensure that she is not exposed.

60
You are a broken minister.

• Hale has broken his covenant with God, so in
  Proctors mind, Hale no longer has any moral
  authority.

61
What profit him to bleed? Shall the dust praise
him? Shall the worms declare his truth?

• John Proctors death is futile. There
• is no point in it for Proctor or for anyone else.

62
He may have his goodness now, God forbid I take
it from him.

• Elizabeth finally realizes the goodness
• that was always within her husband, and he
  himself realizes it, too. She wont take it from
  him by trying to persuade him to falsely confess.

63
There be no higher judge under Heaven than
Proctor is!

• Elizabeth knows that Proctor judges
• himself more harshly than anyone else does.

64
I have been thirty-two year at the bar, sir, and
I should be confounded were I called upon to
defend these people.

• Reveals Danforths bias toward the
• accused. He has already decided they are guilty.

65
I come to do the Devils work. I come to
counsel Christians they should belie themselves.

• A paradox faced by Hale when he
• finds himself faced with encouraging the accused
  to lie to save their lives.

66
It is difficult for the individual to win in a
conflict with accepted authority

• Francis Nurse and Giles Corey disrupt the court
• Giles Corey refuses to name his informant
• Proctor refuses to attend church as long as
  Parris preaches hellfire and brimstone
• Giles Corey flaunts his knowledge of court
  preceedings
• 91 people are arrested for attesting to the good
  character of Elizabeth, Rebecca, and Martha

67
Bias of the Court

• The judges accept without question what the
  accusers say.
• The officials of the court ask leading questions
  which suggest the answers the court wants to
  hear, and if they do not get the answers they
  want, they try to intimidate.
• When someone is accused of witchcraft, the judges
  automatically place the burden of proof upon the
  accused however, when accusations other than
  witchcraft are made, the burden of proof is
  placed upon the accuser.

68
The climax of the play occurs when

• Elizabeth Proctor tells the court her husband is
  NOT guilty of lechery.

69
Reverend Parris wishes to spare Proctors life
because

• He fears for his life if such a respected man is
  hanged

70
Parris wants John Proctor to confess because

• he fears for his life
• it will cast doubt on the innocence of the
  others.
• Proctors name carries a lot of weight in the
  town.

71
John Proctor complains about Reverend Parris
because

• demands too much compensation, such as the deed
  to his house.
• focuses on hell and damnation in his services.
• wastes the church money on extravagant items.

72
Giles Coreys charge against Thomas Putnam is
significant because it illustrates

• irony when Giles Corey is condemned for giving
  evidence that is hearsay, while equally invalid
  evidence is used to condemn persons for
  witchcraft.

73
Hale questions the Proctors Christianity because

• John Proctor rarely attends church
• One of their children is not baptized
• John Proctor forgets one of the Commandments

74
John Proctor is considered the voice of reason in
Act 2 because

• In response to Hales argument that those who
  have been convicted of witchcraft have confessed
  to it, he says, And why not, if they must hang
  for denyin it?
• I am only wondering how I may prove what she
  told me, Elizabeth. If the girls a saint now, I
  think it is not easy to prove shes fraud
• It may be I have been too quick to bring the man
  to book, but you cannot think we ever desired the
  destruction of religion.

75
What does John Proctor say hurt his prayer?

• seeing his hard earned money being spent on
  golden candlesticks for the church

76
What is the setting of Act 3?

• The Salem courtroom

77
Which incidents reveal the bias of the court?

• The judges accept without question what the
  accusers say.
• The officials of the court ask leading questions
  which suggest the answers the court wants to
  hear, and if they do not get the answers they
  want, they try to intimidate.
• When someone is accused of witchcraft, the judges
  automatically place the burden of proof upon the
  accused however, when accusations other than
  witchcraft are made, the burden of proof is
  placed upon the accuser.

78
In the courtroom Danforth questions Abigail as
though he doubts her, she suddenly begins
hallucinating and freezing. What causes her
behavior to abruptly end?

• Proctor grabs her by the hair of her head and
  jerks her to her feet, calling her a whore.

79
Elizabeth admits to her husband that she was a
cold wife for what reason (s)?

• thought she was too plain for anyone to love.
• Didnt know how to show her love.

80
Which characters support John Proctors decision
to falsely admit to witchcraft?

• Reverend Parris
• Deputy Governor Danforth
• Reverend Hale

81
For what reasons does John Proctor contemplate
confessing?

• Refusing to confess will not fool God nor spare
  his children hardships
• Refusing to confess will not save his soul
• giving the appearance of martyrdom is pretense

82
Danforth says that he will not accept Proctors
confession if it is a lie, but we know Danforth
is not being honest because

• even though Proctor would not name others, he was
  willing to take the confession as long
• as Proctor signed it.

83
Why does Proctor retract his confession?

• the officials demand that he sign his name to it.

84
Dramatic Irony

• Hales statement to Proctor that the world goes
  mad, and it profit nothing you should lay the
  cause to the vengeance of a little girl
• is dramatic irony because while he suggests
  that it is foolish to blame what has happened on
  the vengeance of a little girl, the audience
  knows that is the precise cause.

85
Parriss statement that I do not preach for
childrenIt is not the children who are unmindful
of their obligations toward this ministry, is
ironic because

• Parris sees no reason to instruct the children
  about God, yet it is the young girls who are
  trying to commune with the devil and in an effort
  to conceal their misbehavior, they set in motion
  the events that will destroy Salem.

86
Rev. Hales statement, What victory would the
Devil have to win a soul already bad? It is the
best the Devil wants, and who is better than a
minister? is ironic because

• He assumes that the minister must be the best
  person in the village, but the facts show that
  Parris is not a good man.

87
What is ironic about Hales statement to Tituba,
You are Gods instrument put in our hands to
discover the Devils agents among us

• Instead of saving the village from the Devil, he
  is persuading her to make false accusations of
  witchcraft against innocent people.