Crucible Act I Questions
1. In Act One, what do Reverend Parris’s comments and actions reveal about his character? What are some adjectives you would use to describe him?
2. According to the Puritans in Salem Village how did one prove witchcraft? ( note: there was more than one way) Support your statement with evidence from the play.
3. What seems to be the main motivation for Rev. Parris’s concern about Abigail’s and Betty’s behavior in the forest?
4. What do the Putnams believe to be the cause of their daughter and Betty’s curious illness?
5. What has happened to Ann Putnam that has led her to believe witchcraft is to blame?
6. What were the girls up to that night in the woods? What did they actually do? What did Abigail specifically do?
7. At what point in Act I do we begin to see the evil side of Abigail emerges? ( Be specific ) What does she do? What seems to be her motivation?
8. Is the “heat” between Abigail and Proctor true love or just lust? Support your opinion.
9. Does Proctor still have feelings for Abigail or not? Support your opinion.
10. What role does Rebecca Nurse serve in the first act? How do the other characters regard her? To what does she attribute the girls’ “illness”? Based on what the audience knows, is Rebecca Nurse right?
11. What evidence is there that sharp divisions exist among the people of Salem? What are some examples of these divisions?
12. How does Abigail defray (lessen) the accusations that she danced in the woods?
13. Why does Tituba burst out with “He says Mr. Parris must be killed!”? What causes Tituba to begin naming people whom she has supposedly seen with the Devil?