The Crucible Review Questions

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Answer all questions in your notebooks.  Be sure to answer the questions by Acts.  Characters change throughout the play, so it is important to understand how they think and feel in a particular Act opposed to another. 

The Crucible Act I

1. How do the townspeople view the forest?
2. What reason did Thomas Putnam have for resenting Reverend Parris?
3. What sort of relationship is revealed between Abigail and John Proctor?
4. How would you characterize (describe) Rebecca Nurse?
5. Why do you think Tituba, Abigail, and Betty say they have seen other people with the devil?

Act II

1. Why do you think, besides a lack of proof, that Proctor hesitates to confront Abigail in court with what she has told him about the absence of witchcraft?
2. What do you think really happened when Sarah Good nearly “choked” people in court?
3. Mary Warren used to be submissive.  Why does she now dare to stand up to Proctor?
4. Both Mary Warren and the Reverend Hale use the phrase “mentioned somewhat.”  What do you think the effect of that phrase would be on the people hearing it?
5. Why is it important to Reverend Hale that the Proctors believe in the existence of witches?
6. By the end of Act II, what do you think Reverend Hale thinks of the court proceedings?

Act III

1. Of what does Giles accuse Putnam?
2. In what way does Mary’s testimony threaten to “overthrow the court”?
3. What do you think of the proof that Giles gives to support his accusation against Putnam?
4. What effect does Danforth’s statement that “no uncorrupted man may fear this court” have?
5. What does Abigail do when she is questioned and accused?
6. How has Reverend Hale changed since Act II?

Act IV

1. Why do you think Sarah Good and Tituba talk about the Devil taking them to Barbados? (we skipped this part in class because it was not on the CD, re-read the very beginning of Act IV for the answer)
2. What reasons does Parris give for thinking that the executions will lead to rebellion?
3. Why is Danforth unwilling to pardon the accused?
4. What do Proctor and his wife talk about, and what does she tell him?  What does the conversation reveal about their relationship?
5. How does Rebecca’s presence influence Proctor when he is about to confess?
6. Why is it so important to Danforth that Proctor sign his name, and why does Proctor refuse?