The History of Toast
Act I
1. What does the “spareness” of the Puritan setting reveal about the lives of the townspeople of Salem?
The setting mirrors the Puritans’ beliefs. The lack of ornamentation demonstrates the Puritan aversion to vanity and frivolous pursuits.
2. Explain the significance of the forest to the Puritans.
It was the epitome of evil. As far as the Puritans were concerned, the Native Americans were murderous heathens. The animals periodically attacked. There was no wilderness in England, so the unknown quality of the forest made it even more frightening.
3. Explain the irony in the Puritans’ pilgrimage to Salem to escape persecution.
Though the Puritans left England to gain religious freedom, among other things, they granted no one in this new world any such freedom. They persecuted, often violently, those who were different.
4. 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?
She lies frequently and rather convincingly.
5. When Susanna exits, Abigail makes a confession to Parris, which she recants near the end of the Act. What is the confession, and why does she change her mind?
She confesses that there is no witchcraft. Abigail tells Parris she danced and she is willing to be whipped for punishment for this deed. Later she blames Tituba and others for bewitching the girls. She is motivated both by self preservation and a sense of power.
6. Why does Rev. Parris become upset at the thought that Betty’s illness is a result of unnatural causes? What negative aspect of his character does this reveal?
As a minister, he feels it would be scandalous if his daughter is ill as a result of witchcraft. He is self-centered and, at this point, more concerned about his image than the health of his daughter.
7. What innuendo does Rev. Parris make about Abigail’s character?
He questions whether her reputation is entirely
1. What does the “spareness” of the Puritan setting reveal about the lives of the townspeople of Salem?
The setting mirrors the Puritans’ beliefs. The lack of ornamentation demonstrates the Puritan aversion to vanity and frivolous pursuits.
2. Explain the significance of the forest to the Puritans.
It was the epitome of evil. As far as the Puritans were concerned, the Native Americans were murderous heathens. The animals periodically attacked. There was no wilderness in England, so the unknown quality of the forest made it even more frightening.
3. Explain the irony in the Puritans’ pilgrimage to Salem to escape persecution.
Though the Puritans left England to gain religious freedom, among other things, they granted no one in this new world any such freedom. They persecuted, often violently, those who were different.
4. 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?
She lies frequently and rather convincingly.
5. When Susanna exits, Abigail makes a confession to Parris, which she recants near the end of the Act. What is the confession, and why does she change her mind?
She confesses that there is no witchcraft. Abigail tells Parris she danced and she is willing to be whipped for punishment for this deed. Later she blames Tituba and others for bewitching the girls. She is motivated both by self preservation and a sense of power.
6. Why does Rev. Parris become upset at the thought that Betty’s illness is a result of unnatural causes? What negative aspect of his character does this reveal?
As a minister, he feels it would be scandalous if his daughter is ill as a result of witchcraft. He is self-centered and, at this point, more concerned about his image than the health of his daughter.
7. What innuendo does Rev. Parris make about Abigail’s character?
He questions whether her reputation is entirely