| “So now they and their church found it necessary to deny any other sects its freedom, New Jerusalem be defiled and corrupted by wrong and deceitful ideas.” What is the irony in this statement? | The church is supposed to be Christlike and denying someone their freedoms like that is Christian. They are supposed to look up to New Jerusalem not bash it. |
| Explain how the witch hunt years were a time of “general revenge.” | By saying they were a witch can get them killed if they can’t prove that they aren’t a witch |
| Identify Tituba, Abigail, and Betty. | Tituba: slaveAbigail: niece ofBetty: daughter of |
| Why does Mrs. Putnam believe there are witches in Salem? | She saw something flying over the village |
| Why is Thomas Putnam bitter? | Grievances with people |
| Paris says, “Oh, Abigail, what proper payment for my charity! Now I am undone!” What does this mean? | Because he took her in and she nothing but cause him trouble (witchcraft, affair) |
| What is Mary’s argument to Abby? | They needed to tell the truth. They will only be whipped for dancing and certain things, but they will hang them if people think they are witches |
| Describe Proctor. | He’s an old farmer & had a a fair with Abigail |
| What happened between Abigail and John Proctor prior to the opening of the play? | Had an affair |
| What was the “sign” that Betty was bewitched? | She was in a coma |
| Identify Francis and Rebecca Nurse. | Rebecca: well respected citizen of Salem; Francis: husband of Rebecca. Respected wealthy landowner |
| Explain the political relationship between the Putnam and Nurse families. | The Nurse put the Putnam brother out of office and they were arguing over land |
| Why did Rebecca do to Betty? | She stood over her |
| What is Rebecca’s explanation of the girls behavior? | She said that she has hard a hard sickness |
| “There are wheels within wheels in this village and fires within fires.” Explain. | The people in the village harbour ancient grudges and petty grievances. They use the witch trials to settle scores that their victims may not even be aware of. There are wheels turning within wheels in the hearts of man and their is no end to his or her vindictiveness. |
| What is Proctors reason for his not regularly attending church? | His wife has been sick and he doesn’t like what proctor represents. He said that is too focused on material things. |
| What does Parris want? | Fire wood |
| Giles says, ” Think on it now, it’s a deep thing, and as dark as a pit.” To what is he referring to liberally and symbolically? | Giles is referring to how everybody in the village doesn’t seem to think twice about suing, double crossing and accusing their neighbor of all manner things. Symbolically Giles is saying that people’s greed and lust for vengeance on their own neighbors is creating a pit of despair that will eventually swallow everybody. |
| What do Putnam and Proctor argue about? What does this show? | Lumber rights & ownership of land; Putnam was a land grabbing weasel |
| Who is Rev. John Hale, and why does he come to Salem? | Complex character; best hunter there and he wants his science to get the truth in Salem |
| Hale says, “They (the books) must be (heavy); they are weighted with authority. ” What is the significance of this remark? | They are physically heavy but Hale also feels they are weighted with God’s justice upon the wicked and His mercy upon the pure. |
| To what did Tituba confess? Why? | She wants to get a reprieve from the beating she is receiving. Parris won’t let up. She also knows that is she confesses, the court might have mercy on her because she validates their existence. |
| What do the girls do at the end of Act 1? | They begin a flurry of witch naming accusations that turns Salem into a place of mass hysteria. |
English III Honors – Act 1- The Crucible
March 4, 2020