Podcast
Questions and Answers
How is Reverend Parris characterized by Arthur Miller's comment in the beginning of the play?
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?
Why did Puritans avoid the forest?
The devil is in there.
How is Abigail characterized?
How is Abigail characterized?
Dissembling - lies a lot.
Why does Reverend Parris want Abby to confess to dancing in the forest?
Why does Reverend Parris want Abby to confess to dancing in the forest?
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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.
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.
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Why is Reverend Parris afraid of Betty being bewitched?
Why is Reverend Parris afraid of Betty being bewitched?
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Why is Ann Putnam considered 'a twisted soul'?
Why is Ann Putnam considered 'a twisted soul'?
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How is Mary Warren characterized based on the stage direction?
How is Mary Warren characterized based on the stage direction?
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Why did Abigail drink blood in the forest?
Why did Abigail drink blood in the forest?
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How does Abby react when Betty accuses her of drinking blood?
How does Abby react when Betty accuses her of drinking blood?
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How have Abby's life experiences shaped her character?
How have Abby's life experiences shaped her character?
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How could the conversation between Proctor and Abby be characterized from page 1098?
How could the conversation between Proctor and Abby be characterized from page 1098?
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How does Abby feel toward John Proctor?
How does Abby feel toward John Proctor?
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How does Proctor feel toward Abby?
How does Proctor feel toward Abby?
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Why does Thomas Putnam hold a grudge toward the Nurse family?
Why does Thomas Putnam hold a grudge toward the Nurse family?
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Why would Rebecca Nurse be considered suspicious based on the stage direction?
Why would Rebecca Nurse be considered suspicious based on the stage direction?
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How did the town of Salem feel about Rebecca Nurse?
How did the town of Salem feel about Rebecca Nurse?
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Why hasn't Proctor been in church in months?
Why hasn't Proctor been in church in months?
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How does Reverend Parris's style of minister compare to another Puritan minister we've read?
How does Reverend Parris's style of minister compare to another Puritan minister we've read?
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How have disagreements arisen between Reverend Parris and the Congregation?
How have disagreements arisen between Reverend Parris and the Congregation?
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What do the people in Salem fight over?
What do the people in Salem fight over?
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How does Reverend Hale feel about coming to Salem to investigate witchcraft?
How does Reverend Hale feel about coming to Salem to investigate witchcraft?
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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)
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)
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Why did Ann Putnam send her daughter Ruth to Tituba?
Why did Ann Putnam send her daughter Ruth to Tituba?
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Why does Giles Corey feel suspicious about his wife's actions?
Why does Giles Corey feel suspicious about his wife's actions?
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How does the course of the play change when Abby accuses Tituba?
How does the course of the play change when Abby accuses Tituba?
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Why is Tituba an easy target for Abby?
Why is Tituba an easy target for Abby?
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Why does Abby blame her behavior on Tituba?
Why does Abby blame her behavior on Tituba?
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Why does Putnam ask if Tituba saw Sarah Good or Osburn with the Devil?
Why does Putnam ask if Tituba saw Sarah Good or Osburn with the Devil?
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Why does Mrs. Putnam think Goody Osburn is a witch?
Why does Mrs. Putnam think Goody Osburn is a witch?
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Why does Abby confess to having danced with the devil?
Why does Abby confess to having danced with the devil?
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Why does Betty start naming people 'she saw with the devil'?
Why does Betty start naming people 'she saw with the devil'?
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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.
