Name:______English 11R
The Crucible Act I Questions
1. In the Act I Overture, Arthur Miller provides some background for the action of the play. List three important details you learned from the Overture.
2. Read the stage directions as Tituba first enters. What are her concerns in this situation?
3. What is revealed about Abigail Williams through the stage directions upon her first entrance?
4. Susanna Walcott brings a message from the doctor. What is this message? Why is it significant?
5. As Parris’ daughter Betty lies ill on the bed, what concerns him most?
6. Define pulpit. Infer: What is Parris’ position in the town?
7. Explain what happened in the forest.
8. Why does Parris ask Abigail if her name is “entirely white” in the town?
9. What does Parris insinuate when questioning Abigail about her former employment in the household of the Proctors?
10. A townsperson has apparently been seen flying over a barn. Does anyone believe this? What can you infer about the people of Salem?
11. Who is Reverend Hale and why has he been sent for?
12. What important information about Thomas Putman is disclosed in the author’s note?
13. Identify Thomas Putnam’s reason for insisting that there is witchcraft in involved in this situation.
14. Why would someone like Mrs. Putnam want to believe that the devil has overtaken these children?
15. What had Mrs. Putnam asked Tituba to do in the forest?
16. Describe Mercy Lewis and Mary Warren.
17. Who is clearly in charge among the girls?
18. What does Betty accuse Abigail of having done in the forest?
19. Describe some of John Proctor’s qualities as revealed in the author’s note. How might he find conflict in his Puritan community?
20. What past exists between John Proctor and Abigail Williams?
21. How would you describe John Proctor’s feelings about this past? Copy a line from the dialogue as support.
22. Describe Francis and Rebecca Nurse.
23. What is Rebecca Nurse’s belief about this situation?
24. Explain Proctor’s statement that, “This society will not be a bag to swing around your head, Mr. Putnam.”
25. What reasons does Proctor give for not attending church anymore?
26. Describe Reverend Hale.
27. Describe Giles Corey.
28. What does Giles Corey reveal about his wife?
29. Describe the events that lead to Tituba’s confession and naming of names.
30. At the end of Act I, why do the rest of the girls join Tituba in the frenzied naming of names?