Ms. Iacullo & Ms. Storti English III CP
Miller’s The Crucible: Act I Review for Quiz (2nd ½ of Act I)
NAME: ______PERIOD #: _____
1.Before the arrival of Rev. John Hale, how do Thomas and Ann Putnam exacerbate (intensify) the situation? What do they introduce?
The Putnam’s introduce witchcraft as a possible source of why Betty and Ruth are in a trance. Another sign of witchcraft is not being able to hear the Lord’s name, i.e., in a psalm. The townspeople are praying in the room below. The Putnam’s want witchcraft to be in Salem (why will come out later). Anything Ann Putnam does or says is skewed by the fact that she lost 7 babies; thus, she has flawed reasoning.
2.According to the stage directions, how does John Hale enter for the first time?
Stage directions are in italics and help direct the action in the scene. Reverend John Hale is a scholar in the “invisible world.” He is an expert and comes from Beverly, a neighboring town, to investigate the situation in Salem. He is a kind and sensible man but believes in the Devil and witchcraft.
3.What happens when John Hale interrogates Tituba? How does the scene’s atmosphere display the flawed reasoning taking place in Salem?
Tituba does not confess to having contact with the Devil until she is threatened with death. She is smart although she is illiterate. Her sense of survival is strong. She zaps Parris, her “owner and boss” by saying that the Devil told her to kill Parris and tempted her with fine clothes, even flying home to Barbados, if she harmed Reverend Parris. Parris can’t blame her for having these thoughts because (cleverly) she blames the Devil for putting these thoughts in her head. Essentially, she lies to save her life and because it works, others do the same (they scapegoat others).
4.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 –a Reverend in the Puritan faith; Puritans dominate the population in Salem. His role is to make sure Salem is safe from the Devil and witchcraft. Since his daughter (Betty) and niece (Abigail) were dancing and conjuring in the woods, he looks bad that he cannot control them or stop them from misbehaving. He could be considered responsible for bringing witchcraft into Salem or at the very least, not being able to prevent it.
b. Thomas Putnam – owns a lot of land and therefore has power, authority. He and his wife introduce the idea that Betty and Ruth may be “possessed” and influenced by witchcraft. Just the mere fact that he says this, gives him some power, for ascertaining the reason for the trances the girls are in. He is a man who holds grudges and has grievances; he is a vengeful man.
c. Rebecca Nurse – age 72, ideal Puritan woman, has common sense and wisdom; raised many children and has many grandchildren which in and of itself, is a feat at this time (many babies died of diseases).
d. John Proctor- respected person in Salem; questions Parris’s motives, always asking for more wood, etc., to satisfy his own personal needs as opposed to the needs of the community. Farmer.
6.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?*Hint: Think about the concept of hysteria and characters placing blame on others and their reasons for doing so. Tituba and the girls are starting to point fingers at people and accusing them of trafficking with the Devil, of practicing witchcraft. The blaming accelerates and leads to hysteria.