The Crucible Act I Discussion
Respond to these questions in preparation for Thursday's discussion. Each
person must participate.
Content Questions
1. What does Parris question his niece Abigail about?
2. What did Parris see in the woods the previous night?
3. Why does Abigail say she was dismissed by the Proctors?
4. What rumors have circulated the town about Betty Parris? What proof later
occurs that “proves” she is a witch?
5. Why did Goody Putnam originally contact Tituba?
6. What does Goody Putnam believe happened to her other children?
7. What does Betty reveal about what happened in the woods?
8. What threat does Abigail make to the other girls?
9. What past do Abigail and John Proctor have? What are each of their
feelings about that now?
10. What is the function of Rebecca Nurse in the play?
11. What does John Proctor feel about Reverend Parris? Why?
12. Why is Reverend Hale in Salem?
13. What does Giles Corey reveal to Reverend Hale?
14. When questioned by Reverend Hale, who does Abigail blame? What evidence
does she offer as proof?
15. What ultimatum is Tituba given?
16. Who does Tituba accuse of being a witch?
17. Why does Abigail start accusing people at this point?
18. Why does Betty start accusing people?
Extension Questions
19. What motivates Abigail’s love/lust for John?
20. How does the power of accusation sweep through Salem? What are the
largest accusations? Who does the accusing and why? What does this say about
human nature?
21. Analyze the ulterior motives for each of the following people: Putnam,
Mrs. Putnam, Abigail, Betty, and Parris.
22. What is truth? Which character handles truth the best?
23. What character has the highest set of morals and values? Why?
24. What is a theocracy? What role did this play in the hysteria that
occurred in Salem?
25. What are two themes that emerge in Act I? Explain.
26. Exposition is the part of a play that is not presented dramatically (in
play format). What role does the exposition play in The Crucible?
27. Who is the most important character in the play so far? Why?
A SEPARATE PEACE SYMPOSIUM PREP QUESTIONS
Directions: Respond to each of the following questions/statements. Each
answer must maximize your knowledge, challenge your understanding, and
reveal an intimate attempt to interpret the book. Underdeveloped responses
will certainly hinder your success; therefore, always state the facts,
interpret them by asking "why", and show the result of the situation/action.
Also, following each response you should record any extension questions you
may have that you feel will enhance our discussion. In creating these
questions, predict how the class will respond to your original answers and
devise inquiries that prolong the topic in an attempt to bring additional
understanding.
We will try to cover all of these topics during the symposium;
however, we may not, due to time constraints, finish every idea. Thus, have
an opinion as to what topics are most important to you, as I will allow you
to direct the path of the discussion itself.
1. What does Knowles say about the intricacies of adolescent friendships
through his portrayal of life at Devon?
2. Considering that secondary characters often impact the path or
interpretation of a novel more than the reader originally anticipates,
reflect on Leper's importance and symbolic significance.
3. A human's psychological composition and his ability to accurately
interpret the world around him often depend upon his inferences regarding
his own flaws and weaknesses. Discuss how this idea impacts the novel.
4. Using a blend of your individual inferences and evidence from the novel,
discuss whether or not Gene pushes Finny from the tree.
5. A classic novel often gains the label "timeless" not as a result of the
characters or events the author pens, but rather via themes s/he crafts that
play upon the consistencies innate in human nature. What implied themes
arise in Knowles' novel underscore ideas still relevant in modern society?
6. Although the novel's setting recalls a major segment of American history,
should it stand as a piece of important writing and remain a staple in
American literature curriculums?
