crucible

1. By Arthur Miller
Study Guide
English 11
Name:_____________________
Block: _______

2. READING GUIDE
Act I:
1. How would you describe the Salem of 1692 as Miller has
portrayed it?
2. What are the reasons Miller gives for what occurred in Salem?
3. What do you learn about the members of Reverend Parris’s household as each is
introduced?
4. How does Abigail’s story of what happened in the forest differ from what she reveals in
her conversation with Mercy, Mary Warren, and Betty?
5. What is the history of Abigail and John’s relationship?
6. What is Abigail and John’s relationship at the time Proctor comes to see what’s happening with
Betty?

3. 7. What does Arthur Miller believe accounts for the continued belief in the devil or demonic
forces?
8. What does Tituba confess to Reverend Hale?
9. Why do Abigail and Betty finally join in with Tituba’s accusations?
Act II:
1. Describe John and Elizabeth Proctor’s relationship in the first scene.
2. Why can John Proctor not go immediately to the court to expose Abby when he first heard of
the trials?
3. Why is Mary Warren now so excited/upset?
4. Why does John agree to talk to Abigai? What will he tell her?
5. Why does Reverend Hale come to the Proctor house?

4. 6. How did Abigail find a way of officially accusing Elizabeth?
7. How does Reverend Hale cope with the arrests of Rebecca Nurse, Martha Corey, and Elizabeth?
8. What is John Proctor’s plan at the end of Act Two?
Act III:
1. What are the differences in manner between Judge Hathorne and Deputy Governor Danforth?
2. What is the judge’s concern about Proctor’s motives in accepting evidence from him?
3. What charge does Corey make against Putnam?
4. Why will Corey not divulge his source?
5. What finally convinces Proctor to admit his affair with Abigail?
6. Why does Elizabeth lie?

5. 7. Why is Proctor arrested?
Act IV:
1. Why does Reverend Parris believe Abigail has run off?
2. What are some indications that life in Salem is now in complete chaos?
3. Reverend Parris is now pleading for Danforth to reconsider the hangings. How are his present
actions consistent with his character?
4. Why does Hale try to get Elizabeth and the others to lie when lying is clearly against church
principles?

6. 5. Although Giles Corey is tortured and eventually executed by
the court, he still manages to defeat the court. Explain.
6. How has Elizabeth and John’s relationship changed?
7. As John Proctor struggles with the question of his confession, what other struggles is he also
going through?
8. Why does John revoke his confession, and what choice does he finally make?

7. LITERARY ANALYSIS: THEME
By the end of Act III, hysteria is widespread in Salem.
Such an epidemic of emotional excess occurs when the
fears of individuals infect others. In Act IV, Arthur Miller
goes on to show how hysteria can destroy most all
positive social relations.
Below is a list of fears which were experienced by
various residents of Salem. Under each, name at least one
person who felt fear and explain how his or her own actions were affected by that feeling.
Fear of the court:
Fear of individuals:
Fear of being wrong:
Fear of exposing one’s own faults or sins:
Fear of hurting others:
Fear of punishment:

8. Below are three undesirable ways in which an individual may react to fear. Write the name of at least
one character who illustrates each reaction and briefly explain how that reaction harmed others and
thus contributed to the growing hysteria.
By showing cowardice:
By lying or misrepresenting the truth:
By intimidating those weaker:

9. POST-READING: IRONY
Below are several ironic events from the play. In the space provided, explain the irony of each by
pointing out the contradictions involved.
1. Hale attempts to persuade Elizabeth that John should make a false confession.
2. Rebecca Nurse dies and Sarah Good is saved.
3. Abigail has stolen Reverend Parris’s money and run away.
4. Elizabeth is saved because of pregnancy.
5. Danforth refuses to accept John’s confession if it is a lie.

10. POST-READING: MEANING OF THE PLAY TITLE
CRUCIBLE (n.): a vessel of metal or other material used for heating substances to high temperatures: a
hollow area at the bottom of a furnace in which liquid metal collects; any severe or searching
test, as of patience or belief; a trial.
Tell how each of the characters below is tested. Keep in mind where they lived, their station in life, and
their religious background.
John Proctor:
Elizabeth Proctor:
Reverend Hale:
Deputy Governor Danforth:
Mary Warren: