The Crucible

Question 1

Who was Thomas Putnam?

Answer 1

very wealthy, lost 8 babies, has one daughter who was “sleeping/bewitched”

Question 2

Who was Rebecca Nurse?

Answer 2

Wise matriarch, 26 grandhildren

Question 3

What was it based on?

Answer 3

The Salem witch trials, 1692

Question 4

What was it written as?

Answer 4

Historical fiction, 1931

Question 5

Who was it written by?

Answer 5

Stephen Vincent Benet from transcripts of court proceedings

Question 6

Who wrote it for the stage?

Answer 6

Arthur Miller, 1953

Question 7

Who was John Proctor?

Answer 7

Married to Elizabeth, had two sons, and had an affair with Abigail.

Question 8

Who directed the film?

Answer 8

Nicholas Hytner

Question 9

Who was Reverend Paris?

Answer 9

Minister of Salem, raised Betty and Abigail

Question 10

Who was Tituba?

Answer 10

Rev. Paris’s African servant from Barbados

Question 11

Who was Reverand Hale?

Answer 11

Expert in witchcraft

Question 12

Who is Judge Danforth?

Answer 12

Governor of Massachusetts, presiding judge of witch trials

Question 13

Four Givens of the Era

Answer 13

1. Forst in an unknown dangerous place
2. Governing system had ministers who were also judges
3. Land disputes because of inaccurate tech so the wealthy stole from the poor
4. Witchcraft was an easy answer to the unexplainable

Question 14

How many years did people put people on trial for witchcraft?

Answer 14

300

Question 15

How many were put to death on charges of witchcraft?

Answer 15

300,000

Question 16

What were the citizen’s choices when accused of witchcraft?

Answer 16

1. Fake confession: Kept in prison in hopes they would incriminate others
2. Denial: Hung ( a pregnant woman would wait until they gave birth to be killed)
3. Found innocent: rare b/c the courts trails were so harsh

Question 17

Why do tragedies happen?

Answer 17

-Accidents
-People’s mistakes
-Sin and evil in the world
-God’s will

Question 18

John and Abigail’s relationship

Answer 18

Full of sin, lustful and secretive

Question 19

John and Elizabeth’s relationship

Answer 19

Cold, harsh, bitter

Question 20

Abigail and Elizabeth’s relationship

Answer 20

Hatred, Abigail jealous of Elizabeth

Question 21

What is the role of the devil?

Answer 21

Just b/c life is now easier doesn’t mean the devil is less present
Satan wants us to let down our guard

Question 22

The misplaced focus on what is good…

Answer 22

Girls were heroes
Satan makes sins seem beautiful

Question 23

Public Confession

Answer 23

Limit sin in the community
Helps us see that all of have sinned

Question 24

Point of No Return: Rev. Paris

Answer 24

Wanted to protect his name so didn’t say anything about the dancing

Question 25

Point of No Return: John Proctor

Answer 25

He wanted to protect his name so he didn’t mention what Abigail told him

Question 26

Point of No Return: Abigail’s Revenge

Answer 26

Tried to get rid of (kill) Elizabeth so she could have John

Question 27

Point of No Return: The Court

Answer 27

Started hanging ppl and didn’t stop

Question 28

Point of No Return: Rebecca Nurse

Answer 28

People should have listened to what she said about the girls

Question 29

Why did the girls accuse the poor?

Answer 29

People would easliy beleive b/c they didn’t like the poor

Question 30

Role of Elizabeth

Answer 30

Went to John to see if he would “confess”
When he asks her if he should she says only God can judge him
When he asks for forgiveness she says only God can forgive
She blames herself (WRONG)

Question 31

Role of John

Answer 31

“Confesses” but does not name anyone else
-Doesn’t want to sign paper
-Finally, does but then rips it up because he doesn’t want to blacken his name for his family

Question 32

John’s Chances to Live

Answer 32

The confession
When Elizabeth came to the court
When Abigail came to the jail

Question 33

How was Abigail going to flee?

Answer 33

Stole money from her uncle and was going on a ship to Barbados

Question 34

John Proctors Moral Dilemma

Answer 34

Guilty so confesses his sins with Abigail
Doesn’t want to die saint
Should he sign the confession or not
Irony: killed for something he didn’t do (witchcraft) not for what he did (adultery)

Question 35

John’s Progress

Answer 35

Doesn’t do anything at first
Takes action only to bring down Abigail but might also save his wife
Should eh confess or not

Question 36

Abigails Motivation

Answer 36

Desire for John and hatred for Elizabeth

Question 37

Tituba’s Motivation

Answer 37

Confessed so the whipping would stop

Question 38

Servant Gil’s Motivation

Answer 38

Scared of parents and Abigail

Question 39

Rev. Paris’s Motivation

Answer 39

Embarrassed and wanted to keep his reputation
Tries to stop the trials at the end but can’t

Question 40

Thomas Putnam’s Motivation

Answer 40

Greed for land

Question 41

Rev. Hale’s Motivation

Answer 41

In the beginning wants true confession
In the end just wants to save people’s lives

Question 42

Judge Hawthorne”s Motivation

Answer 42

Wanted to obey the law and save Salem

Question 43

Circle of Life Redemption

Answer 43

1. Recognize the sin
2. Confess
3. Accept forgiveness from God
4. Live life anew

Question 44

What is a crucible?

Answer 44

Melting pot that can withstand great heat
Trials

Question 45

Who is the crucible?

Answer 45

John Proctor

Question 46

Themes

Answer 46

Free will vs. society pressures
Christians can’t isolate themselves, must go out and be part fo the world
What are we willing to stand for?