Name: ______Date: ______Period: ______

The Crucible Acts 2 & 3 Reading Guide

Act II

  1. What is the present state of the Proctors’ marital relationship?
  1. What is Mary Warren’s attitude since going to Salem?
  1. What is the significance of Reverend Hale’s questioning Proctor?
  1. What does Elizabeth want John to do? Why does he hesitate?
  1. What kind of evidence does the court admit in order to convict people as witches?
  1. What forces John Proctor’s involvement with the court? What are the risks?
  1. Contrast settings at the conclusion of Acts 1 and 2.

After reading Act II, answer the following questions:

  1. What is the central conflict that John Proctor faces?
  1. What does Elizabeth's observation that John's real court is in his own heart reveal to readers about John's character?
  1. What evidence can be found that Abigail and her party of accusers (including Mary Warren) have undergone a change in status since the beginning of the play? Use quotes from the play to support your answer.
  1. Does the Rev. Hale still believe as firmly in the truth of the accusations, or is he beginning to have some doubts? Use examples from the play to support your answer.

Act 3

  1. What happens when people criticize the court proceedings?
  1. What role does Parris play in this scene?
  1. Why does Proctor refuse to give up his story about the girls’ lying even though Judge Danforth would allow Elizabeth to go free for a year?
  1. Why does Mary Warren change her testimony about Proctor and about pretending?
  1. How does Elizabeth attempt to save her husband’s reputation? What was the result?
  1. Why does Reverend Hale change his story about witchcraft?

After reading Act III, answer the following questions:

  1. It seems that every time John Proctor, Giles Corey, and Francis Nurse try to defend their wives, they are accused of trying to overthrow the court. What would Rev. Parris have to lose if the defense's case was seriously considered?
  1. What would Danforth and the judges have to lose?
  1. What does Abigail's refusal to answer Danforth's questions show about the status the trials have given her?
  1. Public reputation can make or break one in Salem. How is this importance of reputation reflected in Act III?

Name: ______Date: ______Period: ______

The Crucible Act 4 Reading Guide

  1. Describe the condition in Salem at this time.
  1. Why/how has Parris disintegrated?
  1. What is Reverend Hale’s role and how has he changed?
  1. What does Reverend Hale describe as “most precious” to Elizabeth?
  1. What does Elizabeth confess to her husband?
  1. Why does Proctor have a problem deciding whether or not he should sign the confession?
  1. What happens when John turns to Elizabeth for advice?
  1. Why did John decide to tear up his signed confession?
  1. How is The Crucible a tragedy? (remember the elements of a tragedy learned last year)

After reading Act IV, answer the following questions:

  1. Explain Danforth's course of logic in refusing to pardon the remaining prisoners. What might he have to lose by pardoning them?
  1. What would Proctor's confession do for Danforth and Hathorne? What's in it fro Proctor by refusing to confess?
  1. What does Elizabeth mean when she says that John has his goodness now, and God forbid she should take it from him?