The Crucible Character Analysis
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Questions and Answers

How is Reverend Parris characterized by Arthur Miller's comment in the beginning of the play?

Grouchy man, minister of the town: has the most power, self-centered.

Why did Puritans avoid the forest?

The devil is in there.

How is Abigail characterized?

Dissembling - lies a lot.

Why does Reverend Parris want Abby to confess to dancing in the forest?

<p>It would help the doctor - he just wants to know.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Based on the following stage direction, why might Goody Putnam be considered a suspicious person in Salem? MRS. ANN PUTNAM. She is a twisted soul of forty-five, a death ridden woman, haunted by dreams.

<p>She is old and witch-like.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is Reverend Parris afraid of Betty being bewitched?

<p>He might lose his job and is paranoid about his reputation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is Ann Putnam considered 'a twisted soul'?

<p>She believes strongly in witchcraft from having 7 miscarriages.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is Mary Warren characterized based on the stage direction?

<p>A servant - does what others ask, young and lonely.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why did Abigail drink blood in the forest?

<p>To kill Mrs. Proctor.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Abby react when Betty accuses her of drinking blood?

<p>Smashed her across the face.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How have Abby's life experiences shaped her character?

<p>She is not afraid to be intense because she saw Indians kill her parents.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How could the conversation between Proctor and Abby be characterized from page 1098?

<p>They had an affair.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Abby feel toward John Proctor?

<p>She loves him.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Proctor feel toward Abby?

<p>Trying to hide feelings for her because he is married.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why does Thomas Putnam hold a grudge toward the Nurse family?

<p>Nurse family blocked Bayley's chance at being in office.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why would Rebecca Nurse be considered suspicious based on the stage direction?

<p>She was 72 and used a walking stick - could be a witch.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the town of Salem feel about Rebecca Nurse?

<p>They had great respect toward her.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why hasn't Proctor been in church in months?

<p>Doesn't like how Parris preaches: burning hell and his money.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Reverend Parris's style of minister compare to another Puritan minister we've read?

<p>Very similar: about burning hell.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How have disagreements arisen between Reverend Parris and the Congregation?

<p>The community doesn't like that Parris wants to own the house.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do the people in Salem fight over?

<p>Who owns what parts of land.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Reverend Hale feel about coming to Salem to investigate witchcraft?

<p>He loves it.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is evidence for the quote shown in both the play and the movie clip we watched? 'Sex, sin, and the Devil were early linked and so they continued to be in Salem and are today.' (Miller 1105)

<p>Abby could be stoned to death for having sex with Proctor; sin and sex are known as being wrong and so has the devil.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why did Ann Putnam send her daughter Ruth to Tituba?

<p>To learn who murdered her sisters.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why does Giles Corey feel suspicious about his wife's actions?

<p>His wife reads strange books in a corner at night. He tried to pray when she was home and couldn't, but when she left, he was able to pray again.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the course of the play change when Abby accuses Tituba?

<p>Everyone is wondering about Tituba; Abby makes up even worse stuff that she does.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is Tituba an easy target for Abby?

<p>She is a slave.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why does Abby blame her behavior on Tituba?

<p>To make herself look not as bad.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why does Putnam ask if Tituba saw Sarah Good or Osburn with the Devil?

<p>They are both outcasts.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why does Mrs. Putnam think Goody Osburn is a witch?

<p>Babies always shriveled in her hands.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why does Abby confess to having danced with the devil?

<p>To blame seeing people with the devil.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why does Betty start naming people 'she saw with the devil'?

<p>To empower herself.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Reverend Parris' Character

Reverend Parris is depicted as a self-centered and power-hungry individual who is deeply concerned about his reputation and position in Salem.

Puritan Beliefs About Forests

Puritans believed that forests were dangerous places where evil spirits and the devil resided, causing them to avoid them.

Abigail Williams' Personality

Abigail Williams is known for her manipulative and deceitful nature, using lies and tricks to control those around her.

Parris' Motivation in Inquiry

Parris desperately wants to understand why his daughter, Betty, is ill, urging Abigail to confess to dancing in the forest because he fears the blame will fall on him.

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Goody Putnam's Character

Goody Putnam is presented as a troubled woman consumed by grief and suspicion due to her seven miscarriages.

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Reverend Parris' Fear of Ousting

Reverend Parris worries that Betty's illness will lead to his dismissal from the church, underscoring his prioritization of his position above everything else.

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Mary Warren's Role

Mary Warren is a young servant, depicted as submissive and easily influenced by her peers, especially Abigail.

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Abigail's Actions in the Forest

Abigail’s actions in the forest include drinking blood as part of a ritual to curse Elizabeth Proctor, revealing her vindictive personality.

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Tension between Abigail and Betty

Tension arises when Betty accuses Abigail of wrongdoings, causing Abigail to react angrily due to fear of exposure.

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Proctor's Relationship with Abigail

Proctor struggles with his past affair with Abigail and tries to distance himself from her due to commitment to his wife.

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Putnam's Grudge Against the Nurses

Thomas Putnam holds a deep resentment against the Nurse family for opposing his political ambitions, revealing the power struggles within Salem.

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Rebecca Nurse's Reputation

Rebecca Nurse is widely respected for her wisdom and character, despite her age and frailty, contrasting the suspicion surrounding other characters.

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Proctor's Boycott of Church

John Proctor boycotts church services due to his disapproval of Parris's over-emphasis on hellfire and money in his sermons.

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Conflicts in Salem

Conflicts in Salem are primarily rooted in land ownership disputes and resentment towards Parris's actions as minister.

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Reverend Hale's Enthusiasm

Reverend Hale, eager to investigate witchcraft in Salem, displays a scholarly and zealous approach.

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Themes of Sin and Punishment

Salem society emphasizes a strong connection between sexual sins, the devil, and punishment, revealing its rigid moral framework.

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Ann Putnam's Desperate Search

Ann Putnam, desperate to understand her children's deaths, seeks answers from Tituba, highlighting her desperation for explanations.

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Giles Corey's Suspicion

Giles Corey experiences anxieties regarding his wife's nocturnal reading habits, observing her inability to pray while reading.

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Escalation of Accusations

Abigail’s accusation of Tituba leads to a chain reaction of accusations, fueling the town's fear and scapegoating.

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Social Hierarchies and Scapegoating

Tituba, as a slave, becomes an easy target for accusations due to the community's prejudices against marginalized individuals.

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Manipulation and Projection

Abigail blames her inappropriate actions on Tituba, thus protecting herself through manipulation and projection.

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Outcasts in Salem

Salem's community, concerned about witchcraft, targets Tituba, known to associate with outcasts, revealing their tendency to scapegoat vulnerable figures.

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Witchcraft Allegations against Goody Osburn

Goody Osburn faces suspicion due to being connected to the deaths of babies, showcasing the town's fear and superstitious beliefs.

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Betty Parris' Empowerment

Betty Parris, seeking control in the chaotic environment, gains a sense of power by accusing others of being involved with the devil.

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Proctor's Internal Conflict

John Proctor's strong moral compass and sense of justice clash with the hysteria and fear that are gripping Salem.

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Dangers of Mass Hysteria

The play explores the dangers of mass hysteria and how fear can be used to justify manipulation and injustice.

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Study Notes

Characterization of Reverend Parris

  • Described as a grouchy, self-centered man with significant power as the town minister.
  • Paranoid about his reputation and potential job loss due to witchcraft allegations.

Puritan Beliefs and Superstitions

  • The Puritans avoided forests, associating them with the presence of the devil and evil spirits.

Abigail Williams' Nature

  • Abigail is characterized as dissembling; she frequently lies and manipulates those around her.
  • Driven by intense feelings, stemming from witnessing her parents' murder by Native Americans.

Reverend Parris' Motivations

  • Parris urges Abigail to confess to dancing in the forest to gain insight into his daughter Betty’s condition.

Goody Putnam's Character

  • Described as a twisted, haunted woman due to her tragic history of seven miscarriages, enhancing her suspicion towards witchcraft.

Reverend Parris' Fears

  • Fears that Betty's bewitched state will lead to his ousting from the church, further highlighting his concern for reputation over well-being.

Mary Warren's Role

  • Mary is depicted as a young, obedient servant who struggles with loneliness and peer pressure.

Abigail's Actions in the Forest

  • Abigail drank blood as part of a ritual to harm Elizabeth Proctor, showcasing her vengeful nature.

Tensions between Characters

  • Abby reacts violently when Betty accuses her of wrongdoing, indicating her deep fear and defensiveness.

Proctor and Abigail's Relationship

  • Their past affair complicates Proctor's feelings, as he attempts to distance himself due to his marriage.

Thomas Putnam's Grudge

  • Holds resentment against the Nurse family for opposing his political ambitions, indicative of Salem's power struggles.

Rebecca Nurse's Reputation

  • Despite her age and frailty, she is respected in Salem, contrasting the suspicion surrounding other characters.

John Proctor's Absence from Church

  • Boycotts church services due to dissatisfaction with Parris’ fiery sermons focused on hellfire and monetary matters.

Conflicts in Salem

  • Disputes primarily revolve around property ownership and community resentment towards Parris' actions as minister.

Reverend Hale's Enthusiasm

  • Enthusiastic about investigating witchcraft in Salem, reflecting a scholarly and zealous disposition.

Themes of Sin and Punishment

  • The connection between sex, sin, and the devil is emphasized, showcasing the restrictive and fearful moral framework of Salem society.

Ann Putnam's Actions

  • Sends her daughter Ruth to Tituba to find out who is responsible for her other children’s deaths, reinforcing her desperation.

Giles Corey's Suspicion

  • Feels anxious about his wife's nocturnal reading habits, noting a troubling inability to pray when she is present.

Escalation of Accusations

  • Abby’s accusation of Tituba shifts suspicion onto her, leading to a broader frenzy of blame and scapegoating.

Social Hierarchies

  • Tituba becomes an easy target due to her status as a slave, exploiting the town's prejudices against marginalized individuals.

Manipulation and Projection

  • Abby blames her conduct on Tituba as a means of self-preservation, exhibiting her cunning and manipulative traits.

Outcasts in Salem

  • Putnam's inquiry about Tituba's association with known outcasts highlights the community's scapegoating of vulnerable individuals.

Witchcraft Allegations

  • Goody Osburn is viewed with suspicion due to her involvement in the deaths of infants, reflecting the town's fears and superstitions.

Betty Parris' Empowerment

  • By naming others she allegedly saw with the devil, Betty seeks to reclaim some power amidst the chaos of accusations.

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Description

This quiz explores the complexities of key characters in Arthur Miller's play, 'The Crucible'. Delve into the motivations, fears, and beliefs of figures like Reverend Parris and Abigail Williams. Test your understanding of Puritan influences on the story and its characters.

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