THE CRUCIBLE

PACKET

NAME:

PERIOD:

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 VOCABULARY WORDS FOR THE CRUCIBLE
ACT ONE

Vocabulary Word Definition Synonyms Antonym

1 – Merriam-Webster
2 – Define the word in your own
way, and make it stick in your mind
Faction 1 – A party or group (as within a 1. 1.
government) that is often contentious or
self-seeking

2. 2.

Corroborate 1 - to support with evidence or authority 1. 1.

2– 2.

Trepidation 1 - a nervous or fearful feeling of uncertain 1. 1.

agitation

2– 2.

Ameliorate 1 - to make better or more tolerable 1. 1.

2- 2.

Subservient 1 – subordinate, servant, submissive 1. 1.

2– 2.

ACT TWO

Vocabulary Word Definition Synonyms Antonym

1 – Merriam-Webster
2 – Define the word in your own
way, make it stick in your mind
Blasphemy 1 - The act insulting or showing contempt 1. 1.
or lack of reverence for God.

2– 2.

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 QUESTIONS FOR ACT ONE OF THE CRUCIBLE
1. Where and when is the opening scene of the play set?

2. Why has Parris sent for Reverend Hale from Beverly?

3. What do we learn about the events in the forest and Abigail Williams' connections with the Proctor family?

4. What does Ann Putnam claim in the play about her dead infant children?

5. Before the arrival of John Hale, what are some of the subjects for petty disagreement among the characters?

6. According to the stage directions, how does John Hale enter for the first time?

7. What happens when John Hale interrogates Tituba? How does the scene’s atmosphere become hysterical?

8. Miller colors the play with dialect, or specific regional speech. Pick out some examples of dialect in this act.

9. One of Miller's major subjects in the play is the nature of authority. How are each of the following characters linked
with the idea of authority in Act One?

a. Samuel Parris –

b. Thomas Putnam –

c. Rebecca Nurse –

10. How would you describe the atmosphere or mood at the end of this act? What might this atmosphere foreshadow
about future events in the town of Salem?

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 DEFINING HYSTERIA AND EXAMINING HOW IT RELATES TO THE CRUCIBLE

DIRECTIONS: Consider the word “hysteria” and other words and phrases associated with it. Then, look up the actual
definition for the word and determine which relates most effectively to The Crucible. Brainstorm some examples of
“hysteria” from our culture or society. Finally, explain how the word “hysteria” relates to The Crucible. Write all of your
answers in the spaces provided.

DEFINITION EXAMPLES

HYSTERIA

ASSOCIATED
WORDS

SYNTHESIZE
How does the definition of “hysteria” apply to The Crucible? Use specific examples from the text to justify
your response.

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 QUESTIONS FOR ACT TWO OF THE CRUCIBLE
1. What duty has Mary Warren been performing in Salem?

2. What does Elizabeth Proctor report to her husband about the trials in Salem? What does she urge John to do?

3. What gift does Mary Warren present to Elizabeth?

4. What ominous revelation does Mary Warren make about Elizabeth's reputation? How does this disclosure serve to
make the quarrel between Elizabeth and John even more heated?

5. What are some of the ways in which John Hale questions Proctor and his wife about their religious faith? How do
the Proctors answer each of the questions and allegations?

6. What theological argument does John Hale use to explain the causes of the events in Salem?

7. What conflict does John Proctor face at the end of the act?

8. Explain how each of the following is an example of verbal, situational, or dramatic irony:

a. Mary's gift of a poppet to Elizabeth –

b. The one Commandment out of ten that John Proctor can't remember –

c. Proctor's statement about Abigail at the end of the act, "Good. Then her saintliness is done with."

9. The end of this act hints that the most important conflict in the play, will take place between two
specific characters—a protagonist and an antagonist. Who is the protagonist? Who is the antagonist?

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 SPEAKING LIKE A PURITAN – METAPHORIC LANGUAGE FROM ACT TWO OF THE CRUCIBLE

DIRECTIONS: One of the ways Arthur Miller conveys the Puritan Setting and central thematic images of The Crucible is
through the use of metaphoric language. Read the following lines from Act Two, and work with your group to
determine the meaning behind the metaphors. After looking at the metaphoric language that Miller’s characters
speak, create a metaphor to describe Mary Warren, Hale, or Abigail. Write your answers in the spaces provided.
METAPHOR MEANING

Proctor: “a funeral marches

round your heart.”

Elizabeth: “the magistrate sits in

your heart.”

Proctor: “I will curse her hotter

than the oldest cinder.”

Hale: “Theology is a fortress.”

Francis Nurse: “My wife is the

very brick and mortar of the
church.”

Proctor: “Vengeance is walking

in Salem.”

Our Metaphor:

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 QUESTIONS FOR ACT THREE OF THE CRUCIBLE

1. As the act opens, who is being interrogated, and on what charge?

2. What is Mary Warren now prepared to tell the court?

3. What compromise, or deal, does Danforth offer to Proctor? What is Proctor's response?

4. What does Giles Corey allege in his deposition about Thomas Putnam’s motives?

5. At what point does John Hale begin to show that he is less than satisfied with the court's procedures?

6. How does Abigail threaten Danforth?

7. What confession does Proctor make in open court? How does Danforth test the truth of this confession?

8. What happens to John Proctor at the end of the act?

9. How does John Hale show his disapproval?

10. This act contains much irony. Explain how the following are ironic:

a. John Proctor's confession –

b. Proctor's passionate outburst at the end of the act with the court's interpretation of his remarks –

c. When Abigail, "out of her infinite charity, reaches out and draws the sobbing Mary to her…" –

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 PROOF AND CONFESSIONS IN ACT THREE OF THE CRUCIBLE – PART ONE

DIRECTIONS: After reading Act Three of The Crucible, complete all of the following directions to recognize how proof
and confessions worked during the Salem Witch Trials and to understand the implications faced by the characters in
the play.

1. Think about a typical courtroom trial. What constitutes evidence in the trial? What role do eyewitness testimonies,
confessions, and character witnesses play in determining guilt or innocence? What other kinds of proof are typically
required for a conviction?

2. Consider the idea of a confession. In our modern society, why would someone confess to a crime if he or she did not
commit it?

3. Why would someone confess to being a witch even though the audience knows it’s not true? Why would someone
refuse to confess to being a witch?

4. Reflect on your understanding of Act Three of The Crucible and think about the type of evidence that was used to
prove someone guilty of witchcraft. In the space below, list examples from Acts One, Two, and Three of the
evidence that was used.

5. Miller uses different kinds of irony in his play to emphasize the senselessness of the accusations and trials. In
situational irony, a discrepancy takes place between what is expected or appropriate to happen and what
actually does happen. How are the false confessions in Act Three examples of situational irony?

6. Conduct a close reading of the court scene in Act Three. Analyze the arguments to identify logical fallacies, or false
and misleading arguments. Write two examples of logical fallacies used in Act Three.

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 QUESTIONS FOR ACT FOUR OF THE CRUCIBLE

1. What is the setting of this act? How much time has elapsed since the end of Act Three?

2. Immediately after his entrance Governor Danforth remarks on a "prodigious stench." What is the cause of the odor?

3. What does Samuel Parris report about Abigail Williams and why is he afraid for his safety? What is
Danforth's reaction?

4. According to John Hale, what is the present condition of the countryside?

5. How did Giles Corey die?

6. For what does Elizabeth ask John to forgive her?

7. Why does Proctor refuse to sign his confession?

8. Why do you think Danforth is said to be alarmed at the news that Abigail and Mercy Lewis have fled? What
inner conflict may this news rouse in him? How does this conflict affect the course of his decisions in this act?

9. What structural parallel in Act Two is recalled by John's tearing up of his confession near the end of this act?
How does this parallel relate to a theme of the play?

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 FINAL VERDICTS – ANALYZING HOW CHARACTER ACTION AFFECTS PLOT AND THEME

DIRECTIONS: At the end of The Crucible, both Elizabeth and Proctor make choices that involve personal integrity, and
both change their minds. Use the graphic organizer below to help you to recognize the reasons for their choices and
understand how these choices impact the plot and the theme of the play. Then, answer the questions that follow.

CHOICES AND EXPLANATIONS ELIZABETH PROCTOR

She goes to Proctor to ask if he will

At first… He decides to confess.
confess.

Quote and explanation to support

why she/he made initial choice

Then, she/he changes his/her She decides not to go to him at the

He decides not to sign his confession.
mind… end to ask if he will confess.

Quote and explanation to support

why she/he changed her/his mind

1. Explain why you think that Arthur Miller had his characters make the choices they did in the space provided below.

2. Did John Proctor reach the right decision at the end of the play?

3. If Proctor had made a different decision at the end of the play, what effect would it have had? Which ending
would be more effective? Why?

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Directions: Choose on character for each quality and provide an explanation of the quality shown by
them.

Quality Characters
Authoritative Reverend Parris, Abigail Williams, Ezekiel Cheever, or Judge Danforth

John Proctor, Reverend Hale, Elizabeth Proctor, or Giles Corey

Guilt-Ridden

Vengeful Ann and Thomas Putnam, Walcott, Abigail Williams, or The Girlfriends

Virtuous Elizabeth Proctor, Rebecca Nurse, or Martha Corey

Cowardly Tituba, Judge Danforth, Reverend Parris, or Mary Warren:

Logical Rebecca Nurse, Francis Nurse, or Martha Corey

Courageous

(Choose your
own character
to highlight)
“The Crucible” Glossary
The following list provides definitions for some of the more difficult words in the text.

Act One
inert: motionless; non-reactive

persecute: to oppress a race or group of people because of ethnicity or religion

creed: a statement of beliefs or set of principles

potent: very strong, effective, or powerful; exerting persuasion, influence, or force

citadel: a fortress or strongly fortified building in or near a city, used as a place of refuge

paradox: something which has qualities that seem to contradict each other

vengeance: punishment that is inflicted in return for a wrong

apprehension: dread

resentment: ill feeling toward something or toward somebody, usually as a result of

ill-usage or insult, or an instance of these

contention: an opinion or claim stated in the course of an argument

formidable: difficult to deal with or overcome

conjure: to invoke supposed supernatural forces; to influence with spells

subservient: too eager to obey

pretense: insincere or feigned behavior

prodigious: great in amount, size, or extent

faction: dissenting minority within a larger group

afflict: to cause severe mental or physical distress to somebody

trepidation: fear or uneasiness about the future or a future event

Act Two
reprimand: to rebuke somebody for a wrongdoing

condemnation: disapproval, criticism, denunciation

scoff: to express derision or scorn about somebody or something

conviction: a firmly held belief or firmness of opinion

falter: to lose confidence

solemn: demonstrating sincerity and gravity

poppet: Middle English — a doll or a puppet

indignant: angry at unfairness

condemned: pronounced something or somebody as bad

dote: to show extreme fondness, or pay a lot of attention to someone

base: lacking morals

pious: religious; devout; holy or sacred; virtuous and moral

theology: religious theory

daft: lacking common sense, irrational

tainted: polluted, spoiled, or corrupted

calamity: a disastrous situation or event

menacingly: in a threatening and dangerous manner

lechery: lustful behavior, especially by a man, that is regarded as distasteful

Act Three
vestry: a room in a church where meetings or classes are held

remorseless: without compassion; relentless

wrath: fury often marked by a desire for vengeance

contentious: causing or likely to cause disagreement and disputes between people with
differing views

deposition: witness’s testimony

befuddled: confused or perplexed

immaculate: clean and free from blemishes; showing faultless perfection

qualm: a misgiving, doubt, or bad feeling

callously: in away that shows no concern if other people are hurt or upset

apparition: an unexpected sight; a ghost

contemplation: long and attentive consideration or observation of something

afflicted: distressed

dumbfounded: temporarily speechless with astonishment

slovenly: not concerned about conventional standards of personal hygiene and tidiness

transfixed: made immobile from shock

befouled: dirty or impure

quail: to show fear or apprehension

denounce: to express harsh criticism or condemnation of something or somebody, usually

in public
Act Four
flask: a small flat container for alcohol

rile: to irritate somebody enough that it provokes anger

stench: a horrible smell

gaunt: thin and bony in appearance

providence: the wisdom, care, and guidance believed to be provided by God; good judgment
and foresight in the management of affairs or resources

summon: to call into court; to send for somebody

gibbet: a hanging post

excommunication: exclusion from the Christian community

quavering: trembling

beguile: to charm, deceive, or cheat

floundering: hesitating in confusion

reprieve: the postponement of a punishment; to stop or postpone a punishment

retaliation: deliberate harm against somebody in response or revenge for a harm done

statute: law enacted by legislature or an established rule

adamant: very determined and not influenced by appeals to reconsider

belie: to disguise the true nature of something

boundless: limitless

penitence: regret for sins

Character Snapshot
Reverend Samuel Parris: The Reverend is the controversial and insecure minister of Salem.

Betty Parris: Betty is the 10-year-old daughter of Rev. Parris. She is one of the first girls to
be “afflicted.”

Tituba: Tituba is a slave brought from Barbados by Parris. She is first accused of witchcraft,
and calls out the names of others in an attempt to save herself.

Abigail Williams: Abigail is the 17-year-old niece of Parris. An orphan, she lives with her
uncle. She leads the girls in their accusations.

Susanna Walcott: Susanna is Abigail’s friend, although slightly younger. She is one of the
“afflicted” girls.

Mrs. Ann Putnam: Ann Putnam is the wife of Thomas Putnam.

Thomas Putnam: Thomas Putnam is the wealthy husband of Ann Putnam.

Mercy Lewis: Mercy is the Putnams’ servant. She is friends with Abigail and is “afflicted.”

Mary Warren: Mary is the Proctors’ meek and insecure servant. She is friends with Abigail
and “afflicted.”

John Proctor: John is a farmer and the protagonist in the play. He is a tragic hero and the
first to expose the girls as frauds.

Rebecca Nurse: Rebecca is an elderly, sweet, respected figure of 72 years. She seems to be
the voice of reason and calm in the community.

Giles Corey: Giles is a cantankerous, elderly gentleman of 83 years who often sues his
neighbors. He is a man of principles.

Reverend John Hale: John Hale is an expert on witches called in from neighboring Beverly
by Parris.

Elizabeth Proctor: Elizabeth is the dutiful, faithful, though often chilly, wife of John
Proctor.

Francis Nurse: Francis is the husband of Rebecca. A sweet, elderly man.

Ezekiel Cheever: Ezekiel is the clerk of the court who serves arrest warrants.
Marshal Herrick: Marshal is the constable of the jail who is often drunk.

Judge Hathorne: Judge Hathorne presides over the trials.

Deputy Governor Danforth: Danforth is the Deputy Governor of Massachusetts. He

presides over the hearings and is more interested in order than justice.

Sarah Good: Sarah is a homeless woman, one of the first accused. She confesses in a hope
to save herself.

Hopkins: Hopkins is the jail guard.