The Crucible
By Arthur Miller
English 3
Mrs. Brull
Name: _____________________________
Vocabulary
Each week while reading the play, you’ll have 20 vocabulary words. The 20 words will be assigned on Mondays (or
the first day of the week) and due on Fridays (or the last day of the week). To earn daily credit for the 20 words,
write each word in a sentence that provides context clues. (See below for examples.) Number and write your sentences in the same order as the vocabulary lists.
Vocabulary quizzes will also be on Fridays (or the last day of the week). You will be quizzed over all 20 words. The
quiz will have two sets of ten sentences, one sentence for each word. You will use context clues to determine the
best word for each sentence. Word banks will be provided on the quiz.
Types of
Context Clues
Examples
1
2
3
Act 1 Vocabulary
On a separate sheet of paper, write each word in a sentence that provides context clues.
1. creed: (N.) -the written body of teachings of a religious group that are generally accepted by that group
2. predilection: (N.) -a predisposition in favor of something
3.
rankle: (V.) -to gnaw into; make resentful or angry
4. maraud: (V.) -to raid and rove in search of booty
5. defile: (V.) -to place under suspicion or cast doubt upon
6. perpetuation: (N.) -the act of prolonging something
7. abomination: (N.) -an action that is vicious or vile; an action that arouses disgust or abhorrence
8. snivel: (V.) - to whine in a tearful manner
9. blatant: (Adj.) -without any attempt at concealment; completely oblivious
10. vindictive: (Adj.) -disposed to seek revenge or intended for revenge
11. corroborate: (V.) -to support with evidence or authority or make more certain or confirm
12. trepidation: (N.) -a feeling of alarm or dread
13. partisan: (N.) -an ardent and enthusiastic supporter of some person or activity
14. titillate: (V.) -to excite pleasurably or erotically
15. arbitrate: (V.) -to act between parties with a view to reconciling differences
16. inculcation: (N.) -teachings that impress upon the mind by frequent instruction or repetition
17. propitiation: (N.) -the act of placating and overcoming distrust and animosity
18. licentious: (Adj.) -lacking moral discipline; especially sexually unrestrained
19. blanch: (V.) -to turn pale, as if in fear
20. enrapture: (V.) -to hold spellbound
4
Act 2 Vocabulary
On a separate sheet of paper, write each word in a sentence that provides context clues.
1. reprimand: (V.) -to censure severely or angrily
2. friction: (N.) -a state of conflict between persons
3. condemnation: (N.) -an expression of strong disapproval; pronouncing as wrong or morally culpable
4. conviction: (N.) -an unshakable belief in something without need for prof or evidence
5. falter: (V.) -to move hesitatingly, as if about to give way
6. pallor: (N.) -unnatural lack of color in the skin (as from bruising or sickness or emotional distress)
7. perplexed: (ADJ.) -full of difficulty or confusion or bewilderment
8. ameliorate: (V.) -to make better
9. compact: (N.) -a signed written agreement between two or more parties (nations) to perform some action
10. indignant: (N.) -angered at something unjust or wrong
11. dote: (V.) -to shower with love; show excessive affection for
12. concede: (V.) -to admit (to a wrongdoing)
13. deference: (N.) -courteous regard for people’s feelings
14. evade: (V.) -to avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)
15. tainted: (Adj.) -touched by rot or decay
16. subtle: (Adj.) -difficult to detect or grasp by the mind or analyze
17. ineptly: (Adj.) -with ineptitude; in an incompetent manner
18. avid: (Adj.) -marked by active interest and enthusiasm
19. lechery: (N.) -unrestrained indulgence in sexual activity
20. grapple: (V.) -to grip or seize, as in wrestling match
5
Act 3 Vocabulary
On a separate sheet of paper, write each word in a sentence that provides context clues.
1. affidavit: (N.) -written declaration made under oath; a written statement sworn to be true before someone legally
authorized to administer an oath
2. undermine: (V.) -to destroy property or hinder normal operations
3. imperceptible: (N.) -impossible or difficult to perceive by the mind or senses
4. discontent: (ADJ.) - dissatisfied
5. befuddle: (V.) -to be confusing or perplexing to; cause to be unable to think clearly
6. conspiracy: (N.) -a secret agreement between two or more people to perform an unlawful act
7. anonymity: (N.) -the state of being anonymous
8. prodigious: (Adj.) -far beyond what is usual magnitude or degree
9. effrontery: (N.) -audacious (even arrogant) behavior that you have no right to
10. immaculate: (Adj.) -without fault or error
11. sublime: (Adj.) -inspiring awe
12. callous: (Adj.) -make insensitive or callous; deaden feelings or morals
13. perjury: (N.) -criminal offense of making false statements under oath
14. guile: (N.) -the use of tricks to deceive someone (usually to extract money from them)
15. hysterical: (Adj.) -marked by excessive or uncontrollable emotion
16. slovenly: (Adj.) -negligent of neatness especially in dress and person; habitually dirty or unkempt
17. unperturbed: (Adj.) -free from emotional or nervous tension
18. mimic: (V.) -to imitate (a person or manner), especially for satirical effect
19. quail: (V.) - todraw back, as with fear or pain
20. denounce: (V.) -to accuse or condemn or openly or formally or brand as distasteful
6
Act 4 Vocabulary
On a separate sheet of paper, write each word in a sentence that provides context clues.
1. contention: (N.) -a contentious speech act; a dispute where there is strong disagreement
2. conciliatory: (Adj.) -intended to placate
3. reprieve: (V.) -to postpone or remit punishment
4. adamant: (Adj.) -impervious to pleas, persuasion, requests, reason
5. harlot: (N.) -a woman who engages in sexual intercourse for money
6. cleave: (V.) -to come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
7. climactic: (Adj.) -consisting of or causing a climax
8. calamity: (N.) -an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
9. sibilant: (Adj.) -a consonant characterized by a hissing sound (like s or sh)
10. embodiment: (N.) -a concrete representation of an otherwise nebulous concept
11. indictment: (N.) -a formal document written for a prosecuting attorney charging a person with some offense
12. flail: (V.) -to move like a flail; thresh about
13. vanity: (N.) -the quality of being valueless of futile
14. tantalize: (V.) -to harass with persistent criticism or carping
15. singe: (V.) -to burn superficially or lightly
16. incredulous: (Adj.) -not disposed or willing to believe; unbelieving
17. agonize: (V.) -to express pain or agony
18. penitence: (N.) -remorse for your past conduct
19. stony (Adj.) showing unfeeling resistance to tender feelings
20. rescind: (V.) -to cancel officially
7
Act Quizzes
The class period after a we finish reading an act in class, you should expect an act quiz. The act quiz will be one question that is
worth ten points, and your answer will be graded on the following rubric:
Reading Quiz Rubric:
10/10

2-3 complete sentences

At least two specific details or relevant examples
support response

Response reflects that student understands the act
(beyond plot points) while reading
7/10

2-3 complete sentences

At least two specific details or relevant examples
support response
5/10

2-3 complete sentences

Response reflects a generally correct idea
1/10

Response given implies that student did not read
assigned act
The question for the quiz will be one of the following questions. You can use these study questions to prepare for the quiz. Please
note that you do not get to pick which question to answer, so you should be prepared to answer any one of them.
Study Questions
Act 1
Answer in complete sentences and include two specific details from the act.
1. Early in the play, Rev. Parris is greatly concerned with his “enemies,” whom he fears will use Betty’s mysterious illness against him. What does this show us about Parris? Would you say he’s a good father? Give evidence to support
your answer.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Why does Elizabeth Proctor only rarely come to church these days?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
8
Study Questions
Act 1 (cont’d)
3. When Abigail relates her version of what happened in the forest, what lends credibility to her story? Does Parris believe her? Why is he interested if her name is “entirely white” in the village?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Abigail describes Elizabeth Proctor as “a lying, cold, sniveling woman.” What’s ironic about this?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. Ann Putnam says that her daughter, Ruth, has been acting strange this year. Describe Ruth’s behaviors. Ann Putnam
says this is evidence of dark forces pulling on her child, whose age we’re not told but who is probably around 10 years
old. What is a different, more likely explanation for Ruth’s behaviors?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
6. When a Bible psalm is sung, Betty Parris wails. Ann Putnam concludes that this shows the child has been touched by
the Devil. Explain why this is a logical fallacy. What is the actual cause of Betty’s wailing?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
7. Describe Mercy Lewis. Describe Mary Warren. What does Abigail threaten to do to the girls if they tell about the
casting of spells in the woods? Why is Abigail so dark?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
8. Rebecca Nurse is able to quickly calm Betty when others could not comfort the girl. There are two different ways
(one good, one not) of viewing Nurse’s power here. Explain them both.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
9. How many children and grandchildren does Rebecca Nurse have? How many does Ann Putnam have? Explain how
people in Salem might view this as the hand of God working in the two women’s lives.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
9
Study Questions
Act 1 (cont’d)
10. What reason does John Proctor give for his reluctance to regularly attend church? What is another likely reason he
hasn’t been attending?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
11. Mrs. Putnam says that there “are wheels within wheels in this village, and fi res within fi res!” Explain what she
means.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
12. In his opening remarks, how does Hale establish his authority?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
13. Explain how Tituba is in a no-win situation. How does Tituba defend herself?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
14. Why, do you suppose, Tituba gives the names of Sarah Good and Goody Osburn? What does this move show us
about Tituba?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
15. How does Hale contribute to the emotional fever of the end of the act, when the girls begin naming individuals who
were seen with the Devil?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Study Questions
Act 2
Answer in complete sentences and include two specific details from the act.
1. It’s been seven months since the affair between John and Abigail ended, and tension continues to hang over John
and Elizabeth’s relationship. Give two examples from early in the scene where John appears to be trying to make peace
and please his wife.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. John says, “It’s winter in here yet.” Explain the double-meaning of this line.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
10
Study Questions
Act 2 (cont’d)
3. When they’re speaking alone about Abigail, Elizabeth catches John in a lie. What’s the lie? Why does this make her
lose all faith in her husband?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Elizabeth suspects that her husband is not entirely over his warm feelings for Abigail. Is she right or wrong? Look
back over the exchange between Abigail and John in Act 1 and give evidence to support your answer.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. It’s been eight days since Rev. Hale’s arrival and 39 people have been arrested as suspected witches. Tonight, we
learn that Goody Osburn has been convicted and will hang, yet Sarah Good, who confessed, will be spared and sent to
jail instead of being hanged. What “evidence” led to Sarah Good’s confession?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
6. John says, “The promise that a stallion gives a mare I gave [Abigail],” yet Elizabeth knows that “there is a promise
made in any bed.” What does Elizabeth understand about young women like Abigail that John does not?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
7. Explain why golden candlesticks hurt John Proctor’s prayer.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
8. What’s the irony of John’s recitation of the Ten Commandments?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
9. Looking back to Act 1, what role did Giles Corey play in the arrest of his own wife?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
10. What extreme physical action does Abigail take in her efforts to frame Elizabeth Proctor? What does this show us
about Abigail?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
11. Give two examples of how Elizabeth hurts her own defense in this scene.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
11
Study Questions
Act 2 (cont’d)
12. Write the simile that John uses when he talks about fighting to protect his wife.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
13. Explain the no-win situation that Mary Warren now faces.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
14. In what way could John view his wife’s arrest as evidence of the hand of God? Which character would likely plant
this idea in his head? When?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Study Questions
Act 3
Answer in complete sentences and include two specific details from the act.
1. Who holds more power, Danforth or Hathorne? How do you know this?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. What motive does Danforth have to discount the testimony of Giles Corey, John Proctor, and Mary Warren?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Early in the act, Danforth says to Proctor, “We burn a hot fi re here; it melts down all concealment.” In what way
does this line serve as foreshadowing?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Before the scandal with Abigail comes to light, there’s mounting evidence that reflects poorly on John Proctor. List
three of John’s actions that might sway Danforth against him. What is Hale’s reaction to these things?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. Who informs John of his wife’s pregnancy? How does this news actually hurt the case that Proctor is trying to present to the court?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
6. How many people have signed a declaration in support of Rebecca Nurse, Martha Corey, and Elizabeth Proctor?
What will happen to these people now? If you were accused of a crime today, would you be able to rally that number
of people to stand and support you in court? What does this document show you about these three women?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
12
Study Questions
Act 3 (cont’d)
7. How was the court of 1692 run differently than the way a court functions today? Give at least three important differences.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
8. Why is Giles arrested?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
9. What event has made Rev. Hale uneasy about the court’s proceedings?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
10. As things are heating up in the court, Rev. Parris lies as he attempts to defend Abigail and her friends. What is the
lie that he tells the court? Why would he do this?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
11. Mary Warren tells the judges that she could faint during the court proceedings, but cannot now. Why, do you suppose, this is so? What is the author’s point here?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
12. What’s ironic about Elizabeth’s lie?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
13. John says that is own face is the face of Lucifer. Further, he says that Danforth’s face is also the face of Lucifer. Explain what he means.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Study Questions
Act 4
Answer in complete sentences and include two specific details from the act.
1. About three months have passed since the end of Act 3. How has Herrick changed?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. What happened with Abigail and Mercy? What does this show the court about the girls? Why doesn’t the court immediately suspend the upcoming executions?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
13
Study Questions
Act 4 (cont’d)
3. What has happened in Andover, a neighboring town? Why is this significant?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. What is the real reason Rev. Parris wants the court to delay today’s executions?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. Using Hale’s description as your guide, explain in your own words what life is like now in Salem.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
6. How did Giles Corey die? In what way did this comedic figure actually become heroic?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
7. Privately, Elizabeth tells John, “It needs a cold wife to prompt lechery.” What does she mean? Is she right?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
8. Throughout the play, John Proctor has struggled with his own identity, wanting to be morally upright yet knowing he
is a sinner. Onto which side does the scale ultimately tip in his case? What action shows us this? (Hint: It’s the moral
climax of the play.)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
9. As Proctor is taken off stage to face his execution, Elizabeth stands at the window and “the new sun is pouring upon
her face.” Symbolically, what’s interesting about this fi nal image?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
10. The title of this play is The Crucible. What is a crucible? (It’s fine to look this up in a dictionary.) Explain how this
word is an apt description for the events that we’ve studied.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
14
15
Theme Notes
Act 1
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Theme Notes
Act 2
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
16
Theme Notes
Act 3
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Theme Notes
Act 4
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Conclusions: (What statement about this topic is Arthur Miller making in the drama The Crucible?)
17