The CrucibleAct I

At the beginning of Act 1, Reverend Parris is kneeling beside a bed in prayer. Who is in the bed? And why is he praying?

His daughter, Betty ParrisReverend Parris is praying

because Betty will not wake.

Why does Reverend Parris fear the villager’s response to the rumor that his daughter has been afflicted?

It could cost him his ministry and his daughter her life.

When Reverend Parris first questions his niece Abigail about what she, Betty, and the other girls were doing in the forest the night before, what does she admit too?Abigail admits to dancing, but

she swears that is all they did—no witchcraft was involved.

After Parris tells Abigail about “enemies who would like to “ruin” him, what does he tell her that a “faction” has sworn too?A “faction” has “sworn to drive

him from the pulpit.” In other words, remove him from his position as reverend.

What reason does Abigail give Reverend Parris for her discharge as the Proctor’s servant? What does Abigail call Goody Proctor?

Goody Proctor hates her because she would not be her slave.

A “bitter woman, a lying, cold, sniveling woman” and “a gossiping liar.”

What was the real reason for her dismissal?

Goody Proctor felt that Abigail was having an inappropriate relationship (an affair) with her husband.

After talking to Parris about “hurtful, vengeful spirits layin’ hands on these children,” Putnam asks his wife to tell Parris what she has done. What does she say?

She sent her daughter, Ruth, to Tituba to have her speak to the dead to find out who “murdered” her seven babies.

When Mrs. Putnam tells Parris that her babies were murdered, on whom does her husband place the blame?A murdering witch, keeping

herself in the dark.

According to Putnam, what do the villagers want Parris to do?

Putnam says the villagers want Parris to strike out against the Devil and to speak and pray with them.

After Abigail rouses Betty from her trance by shaking her furiously, what does Betty say Abigail did in the forest that she didn’t tell Parris about?

Betty says that Abigail drank blood as a charm to kill Goody Proctor.

When John Proctor arrives in Betty’s room, he looks at the unconscious Betty and asks Abigail to explain “this mischief here.” What explanation does Abigail give him for Betty’s condition?

Abigail says that Betty has “only gone silly somehow.” They were dancing in the woods when Parris leapt in on them and Betty took fright.

After Proctor tells Abigail that she is “wicked yet,” what does she ask him to give her? What does Abigail want from John Proctor?

“a soft word.” She hopes that he still loves her.

When Proctor prepares to leave to drag some lumber from his “forest by the riverside,” who claims that “tract” to be in his bounds?

Putnam

Why does Parris send for the Reverend Hale?

Hale is experienced in witchcraft

When Reverend Hale begins to instruct everyone about witchcraft, what does he warn against?

Being led by superstition.

Who initially accuses Tituba of witchcraft? Why?

AbigailTo remove suspicion from herself.

How does Tituba first respond to Hale’s accusation of witchcraft?

At first Tituba denies any dealings with the devil.

With what does Parris threaten Tituba?

He tells her to confess or be whipped to death.

How does Tituba change her response?She says that the Devil tempted

her and showed her others who were in his service.

Why might Tituba, as well as Abigail and Betty, make accusations at the end of Act 1?

They might hope to avoid punishment by accusing others.

How many do they accuse at the end of Act 1?

Eleven

At the close of act 1, why does Reverend Hale shout for the marshal to bring irons?

He is caught up in the frenzy and hysteria of the accusations.

Literary ElementsDialogue & Atmosphere

Which characters do the main questioning in Act 1?

Parris and Hale

Which characters are the subjects being questioned?

Abigail and Tituba

What do the characters hope to determine by asking their questions?Whether the children are truly ill

or were involved in witchcraft.

What is the overall atmosphere, or prevailing mood, of act 1?Terror, suspense, mystery,

tension

How does Miller create this atmosphere?

Through the fears expressed by the characters or through the underlying tension and mistrust that runs through the dialogue.

Describe the feelings the characters seem to have for one another in Act 1. (Especially Parris, Proctor, Putnam, and Corey.)The overall atmosphere of greed

and frustration. Feelings of hatred, fear, jealousy, and resentment between the characters create more disputes and lead to accusations.

THEMES

Integrity/Courage

“… I will cut off my hand before I’ll ever reach for you again.”(Proctor, 1045)

Authority

“Out of here!” “Out of my sight!” (Parris, 1037)

Hypocrisy

“Goody Ann, it is a formidable sin to conjure up the dead!” (Parris, 1040)

“Why would he choose my house to strike? We have all manner of licentious people in the village.” (Parris, 1052)

Manipulation“Listen now; if they be questioning us, tell them we danced – I told him as much already.” (Abigail, 1042)

“Oh, we’ll be whipped!” (Abigail, 1042)

“I will come to you in the black of some terrible night and I will bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder you.” “I can make you wish you had never seen the sun go down!” (Abigail, 1042-1043)

Hysteria

“Uncle, the rumor of witchcraft is all about;” (Abigail, 1038)

“… the whole country’s talkin’ witchcraft! (Mary Warren, 1042)

Guilt

“I may have looked up.” (Proctor, 1045)

Deception

“There is nothin’ more. I swear it, uncle.” (Abigail, 1039)

“My name is good in the village! I will not have it said my name is soiled! Goody Proctor is a gossiping liar! (Abigail, 1039)

Pride

“Oh, my God! God help me! (Parris, 1037)

“… my ministry’s at stake, my ministry and perhaps your cousin’s life.” (Parris, 1039)

“Now I am undone … They will topple me with this! (Parris, 1041)

Fear

“… my enemies will bring it out … do you understand that I have many enemies?” (Parris, 1038)

“Abby, we’ve got to tell. Witchery’s a hangin’ error, a hangin’ like they done in Boston two year ago! (Mary Warren, 1042)