The Crucible and Mary Warren
The Crucible Study Guide
The setting is Salem, Massachusetts, in the year 1692. Someone once said of the Puritans that they did not leave Europe because they were persecuted, but that they were thrown out of Europe because they persecuted everyone else. As you read Miller’s stage direction in the opening of Act I, how do you suppose he would respond to that statement?
Act I
1. In his stage directions, what are some good and bad points that Miller observes about the Puritans?
2. Who is Betty and what is wrong with her?
3. When Abigail enters, she is described as “a strikingly beautiful girl.. .with an endless capacity for dissembling.” What does the phrase an “endless capacity for dissembling” suggest?
4. Why does Rev. Parris become upset at the thought that Betty’s illness is a result of unnatural causes?
5 What negative aspect of his character does this reveal?
6. What innuendo does Rev. Parris make about Abigail’s character?
7. How does Abigail respond?
8. How does Goody Putnam move the plot along? “Goody” is a term of address much like our “Mrs.” It is short for “Goodwoman.”
9. What motivation is Miller attributing to Thomas Putnam’s actions?
10. What do we learn from the conversation that Mercy, Abigail, and Mary Warren have while alone?
11. How do we see that Abigail is the acknowledged leader of this group?
12. In his stage directions, Miller tells us that despite, or perhaps due to, his upright appearance, John Proctor feels he is a fraud because he knows he is a sinner. What does his conversation with Abigail tell us about the nature of his sin?
13. As Abby flirts with John Proctor, what is her opinion of Betty’s illness?
14. What seems to be the attitude of Giles Corey and the others gathered in the
The setting is Salem, Massachusetts, in the year 1692. Someone once said of the Puritans that they did not leave Europe because they were persecuted, but that they were thrown out of Europe because they persecuted everyone else. As you read Miller’s stage direction in the opening of Act I, how do you suppose he would respond to that statement?
Act I
1. In his stage directions, what are some good and bad points that Miller observes about the Puritans?
2. Who is Betty and what is wrong with her?
3. When Abigail enters, she is described as “a strikingly beautiful girl.. .with an endless capacity for dissembling.” What does the phrase an “endless capacity for dissembling” suggest?
4. Why does Rev. Parris become upset at the thought that Betty’s illness is a result of unnatural causes?
5 What negative aspect of his character does this reveal?
6. What innuendo does Rev. Parris make about Abigail’s character?
7. How does Abigail respond?
8. How does Goody Putnam move the plot along? “Goody” is a term of address much like our “Mrs.” It is short for “Goodwoman.”
9. What motivation is Miller attributing to Thomas Putnam’s actions?
10. What do we learn from the conversation that Mercy, Abigail, and Mary Warren have while alone?
11. How do we see that Abigail is the acknowledged leader of this group?
12. In his stage directions, Miller tells us that despite, or perhaps due to, his upright appearance, John Proctor feels he is a fraud because he knows he is a sinner. What does his conversation with Abigail tell us about the nature of his sin?
13. As Abby flirts with John Proctor, what is her opinion of Betty’s illness?
14. What seems to be the attitude of Giles Corey and the others gathered in the