The Crucible

Act One Questions. All questions are in order of events in Act One.
1. What is a crucible? Why do you think Arthur Miller named his play The Crucible? 2. What did Reverend Parris find his daughter and niece doing? 3. What has the doctor said about Bettys ailment? 4. Why is the Reverend so upset about what Abigail and Betty were doing? How do their actions affect him? Include a QUOTE: 5. What was Abigails prior occupation before coming to live with her uncle? What happened that she no longer works and lives there? 6. Why do the Putnams come over? What do they tell the Reverend? 7. What does Mrs. Putnam believed happen to her 7 children? Who does she believe is responsible? 8. What were the girls actually doing in the woods (be specific)? 9. Who seems to be the leader of the girls? 10. What has happened between Abigail and John Proctor? Why was Abby really fired from his household? 11. How does Rebecca Nurse react to the girls? What is her advice to the parents? 12. 13. Why does Ann Putnam hate Rebecca Nurse? Include a QUOTE: Why does Proctor say that he doesnt go to church anymore?

14. What is ironic about Parris statement: I do not preach for the children, Rebecca. It is not the children who are undmindful of their obligations toward this ministry.

15. What blame does Ann Putnam have in her child acting possessed? What did Ann ask her daughter to do? 16. How does Tituba react to being blamed for conjuring the devil? What does she resort to doing? 17. 18. Which characters arouse your anger? Explain: What is the overall mood of Act One? How can you tell?

19. Is Millers portrayal of teenage girls and their behavior believable? Why or why not? 20. What similarities do you see in the people of the play and people of modern times?