| What is wrong with Betty Parris? | She is ill, seems to be in a coma. Eyes are closed, not moving. They think that she is a witch. |
| How does Tituba react to Betty’s condition? | She is worried about her and wants to make sure that she will be alright. |
| What news does Susanna bring from the doctor? | She says that there is no natural cause for Betty’s condition and says that it could be of the devil; no cure. |
| What news is circulating about Betty? | The rumor is that she is bewitched and it is the reason she is sick. |
| How does Abigail initially defend the girls’ behavior in the woods? | She says that they were just fooling around, Tituba was singing and there was no witchcraft. |
| Why is Reverend Parris so worried about his reputation? | He is a newer minister and the word of him possibly having witchcraft in his home could ruin him. |
| What did Parris see in the woods? | He saw Tituba singing in a foreign language, Tituba and everyone dancing over the fire, and saw a dress on the ground with somebody running in the woods naked. |
| What does Abigail claim is the reason she was discharged from the Proctor household? | Abagail claims that Goody Proctor was a rude womanthat treated her like a slave, and said that she won’t work for anyone who treats her like a slave |
| In what condition is Ruth Putnam? | Ruth Putnam is also sick like Betty Parris in a coma state. |
| Briefly describe Thomas Putnam. | Thomas Putnam is married to Ann Putnam, around fifty, a wealthy landowner, and he accuses many people of witchcraft as a sort of revenge against them. |
| Why did Mrs. Putnam enlist Tituba’s help? | She wanted to conjure up her dead daughters spirits to talk to them. |
| Why did Abigail drink blood? | To try to kill Elizabeth Proctor. |
| How does Abigail threaten the other girls? | She threatens that if they confess what they really did in the woods, that she would kill them in their sleep. |
| Briefly describe John Proctor. | John Proctor is married to Elizabeth Proctor, does not care for the voice of authority (of the church or court), and does not want to be involved with the witch-hunt. |
| What happens when John and Abigail are left alone? | They had sex, so John cheated on his wife. |
| What does Rebecca Nurse say about Betty and Ruth’s sickness? | She thinks that the Devil has them. |
| Why is Reverend Paris dissatisfied with his job in Salem? | Because a lot of people do not even listen to him. |
| About what are Proctor and Putnam fighting? | Proctor and Putnam agreed with each other about Parris not teaching good in the church. |
| Describe Reverend Hale. For what reason has he been called to Salem? | He is a witchcraft investigator and has been called to investigate if there is witchcraft going on in Salem. |
| What is Giles Corey’s complaint about his wife? | About how his wife reads books and hides them. When the books are open he says that he cannot pray, but when they are closed, he says that he can then pray. |
| Why does Tituba finally “confess”? What do you think of her actions? What do you think will happen as a result? | Tituba was accused of witchcraft by Abigail. She reallydid not do it, but her only way out was to confess a lie. So she said that the Devil tempted her, but she rejected him. She also talked about the Devil talking down upon Reverend Parris. I think that she was explaining her feelings about Reverend Parris, but saying that the Devil was telling her these things. I think that they will eventually find out the truth. |
| Why do you think the girls begin their accusations when they could have just let Tituba take the blame for everything? | They can use this to get revenge on whoever they please. |
| What does the girls’ behavior tell you about the youth in Salem? | It tells you about how they all lie and do things that are against their religion because of so many rules that seem too harsh. |
The Crucible (Act 1)
February 26, 2020