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Focus Questions

Delve into key points and character dynamics in Act I-III of The Crucible. Unravel plot twists and allegorical themes with insightful focus questions.

jeffreyhwilliams
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Focus Questions

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  1. Focus Questions The Crucible: Act I

  2. Focus Questions • The Crucible takes place in 1692 in Salem, Massachusetts • The protagonist is John Proctor • Characters to watch: • Abigail Williams – the niece of Rev. Parris • John Proctor – Had an affair with Abigail when she was a maid in the house

  3. Focus Questions • What is really wrong with Ruth Putnam, and why is she acting the way she is? • Why is Rev. Parris worried that people will believe it’s witchcraft?

  4. Focus Questions • What rumors are spreading around town about Betty Parris? • What concerns does Rev. Parris have about Abigail ?

  5. Focus Questions • What is the name of the woman is told not to beg, and what is her eventual role in the witch trials? • In what town did Rev. Hale find witchcraft?

  6. Focus Questions • What “reddish work” happened to Abigail’s parents? • What’s Rebecca Nurse’s response as to why Betty is acting the way she does?

  7. Focus Questions • Who did Abigail cast a blood spell against? • What is John Proctor’s attitude toward Abigail?

  8. Focus Questions • What did Abigail mean when she said John Proctor put “knowledge” in her heart? • Also, what did she mean when she said, “I know you, John Proctor”?

  9. Focus Questions • What metaphor is used in reference to Mr. Hale’s books? • What has Mr. Hale heard about Rebecca Nurse, and what does that tell you about her stature in Salem?

  10. Focus Questions • How does Giles Corey accidentally implicate his wife? • What allegorical aspects in reference to the Red Scare have all ready occurred?

  11. Focus Questions • Why does Abigail blame Tituba? • What reasons make Tituba an easy target for false allegations?

  12. Focus Questions • Who does Goody Putnam first accuse of being a witch, and what is her motivation? • Who does Tituba accuse of witchcraft and how did she arrive at those names?

  13. Focus Questions The Crucible: Act II

  14. Focus Questions • Describe the relationship between Elizabeth and John Proctor. • What has John Proctor done to get his wife to forgive him for his actions?

  15. Focus Questions • What are the names of the three judges who arrive in Salem? • Who is the first person called in before the court and who was the first to testify?

  16. Focus Questions • For what reasons are people of Salem being accused of witchcraft? • Who laughs and walks out the court, and why do they do so?

  17. Focus Questions • What are the allegorical reasons for the girls fainting to invisible evidence? • What allegorical role does the devil play in the plot?

  18. Focus Questions • What is Mary Warren’s function with Salem’s court? • At this point in the plot, how is Abigail perceived by the people of Salem?

  19. Focus Questions • What are Samuel Sewell’s concerns about the nature of the allegations of witchcraft against those in Salem?

  20. Focus Questions • Why does Rev. Hale question the Proctor’s about their Christian beliefs? • Why doesn’t John Proctor respect Rev. Parris and what did that have to do with Proctor’s last son? • What’s ironic about Proctor forgetting one of the commandments?

  21. Focus Questions • What lead to Martha Corey and Rebecca Nurse being arrested for witchcraft? • Why is Mr. Cheever searching for a poppet in the Proctor’s house? • Why does Proctor call Mr. Hale a broken minister?

  22. Focus Questions • Why is Mary Warren afraid to contradict Abigail? • Also, for John Proctor, what risk is there for him if Mary contradicts Abigail?

  23. Focus Questions The Crucible: Act III

  24. Focus Questions • What does Giles Corey have that will prove the girls are lying? • How does Proctor find out his wife is pregnant, and what significance does it hold for her? • When Proctor presents a list of 91 people who’ll testify the girls are lying, what happens to them? • What connection with the U.S. today can you make with Danforth’s statement that “You’re either with us or against us”?

  25. Focus Questions • What is Mr. Corey’s claim against Mr. Putnam? • Why doesn’t Mr. Corey testify as to who could validate his statement regarding Mr. Putnam, and how is it allegorical?

  26. Focus Questions • Why is Mr. Hale so upset about Judge Danforth’s reluctance to believe the girls are lying? • Why is Judge Danforth shocked that the girls were dancing in the woods? • To what does Mary Warren testify? • After Abigail suggests Danforth is not beyond temptation of the devil, what does she do?

  27. Focus Questions • Why does Proctor admit to having an affair with Abigail? • What does Judge Danforth mean when he says to Abigail “… may God spread his mercy on you”? • What is ironic about Elizabeth’s testimony regarding Proctor’s affair?

  28. Focus Questions • What is ironic about Mary saying she loves God? • What is metaphorical about Proctor saying, “You’re pulling down Heaven and raising up a whore”? • What part of dramatic structure is represented when John Proctor says, “God is dead!”? • What was symbolic about John Proctor being represented in the sea?

  29. Focus Questions The Crucible: Act IV

  30. Focus Questions • For what crime is Giles Corey pressed to death, and what allegorical significance does it have? • How have the people of Salem changed their attitude toward Abigail, and why did that occur?

  31. Focus Questions • What does Abigail steal from Rev. Parris’s, and what is her intent? • Whom does Judge Danforth allegorically represent?

  32. Focus Questions • What is Rev. Parris worried about regarding the hangings of John Proctor, Rebecca Nurse, and Martha Corey? • Why does Rev. Hale state that all the accusations have been lies and encourages Proctor to “give them the lie” the court wants?

  33. Focus Questions • Why does Proctor ask Elizabeth for forgiveness, and what is her response? • To what does Elizabeth admit to in regard to her relationship with her husband?

  34. Focus Questions • Why does Rebecca Nurse say to John, “God send his mercy on you, John”? • What is meant by Rev. Parris saying, “It is a weighty name”?

  35. Focus Questions • What is more important to Proctor than his life, and what lesson does this teach his sons and others? • Why does Elizabeth not try to stop her husband for being hanged?

  36. Focus Questions • How have the people of Salem changed in the way they view the hangings? • How is the staging of the hangings symbolic?

  37. Focus Questions • What is Arthur Miller telling the audience by having the hangings take place before “Amen” could be said?

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