The Crucible, by Arthur Miller Act I Responses 1) How does Miller characterize Parris?

How does Parris feel about his parishioners? a) Parris is characterized as a 40-year-old reverend. He is a cold, strict man who cares deeply for his daughter but does not always show it. b) Parris is paranoid that his parishioners want him to be replaced as reverend. 2) Why is Thomas Putnam willing to speak of witchcraft? How does Mrs. Putnam know what Ruth was doing in the woods? a) Thomas Putnam is willing to speak of witchcraft because he is worried about his daughter, Ruth. b) Mrs. Putnam knows what Ruth was doing in the woods because she asked Tituba to perform a spell that would allow her to speak to the Putnams seven dead babies. 3) Why does Abigail admit that Tituba and Ruth were conjuring spirits? Why is Abigail afraid the others will confess what they were doing in the woods? How does Abigail treat the other girls? How does she treat her uncle? a) Abigail admits that Tituba and Ruth were conjuring spirits because she wants to put the onus on them so she doesnt get in trouble. b) Abigail is afraid the others will confess what they were doing in the woods because this will incriminate her. c) Abigail is manipulative with the other girls and acts as a bully. d) Abigail acts innocently in front of her uncle so he will not suspect her of doing what she is not supposed to do. She treats him with reverence (to his face). 4) What are Abigails feelings towards John Proctor? Why is she antagonistic towards Elizabeth Proctor? Why has she been asked to leave the Proctors home? Why does she tell John what happened to Betty? a) Abigail thinks she is in love with John Proctor. b) She is antagonistic towards Elizabeth Proctor because Abigail is jealous that Elizabeth is married to John Proctor. c) Abigail has been asked to leave the Proctors home because Elizabeth suspects that Abigail and Proctor have had an affair. d) Elizabeth tells John what happened to Betty because she feels that confiding in him will bring him closer to her. 5) Why do Proctor and Rebecca speak out about against Hales coming? Why has Proctor set himself against Parris? How does Rebeccas departure affect those waiting at the bedside? a) Proctor and Rebecca speak out against Hales coming because they do not think the incidence is serious enough to warrant an outsider coming to help with their communitys affairs. b) Proctor has set himself against Parris because he dislikes Reverend Parris focus on Satan and Hell instead of God and Heaven.

c) Those waiting at the bedside become much more antagonistic and volatile when Rebecca leaves. 6) Why does Abigail accuse Tituba? Why does Hale believe Abigail rather than Tituba? How does he lead Tituba into naming names? Why do Abigail and Betty name names? a) Abigail accuses Tituba because she feels others will think witchcraft is something Tituba would likely be involved in. Also, Tituba is a slave who is outside of their community and is considered different and is also in a powerless position because she is a slave, so it is likely Abigail will be believed. b) Hale believes Abigail rather than Tituba because Tituba is a slave and does not have the full trust of those in the community. She is from a heathen society, and is therefore likely to have heathen practices. c) Abigail and Betty name names because they want to take the attention off themselves, and they think blaming others will be easier than convincing the adults that the story isnt actually true.