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English 11 The
Crucible Unit Packet
Text: The Crucible, Arthur Miller
Unit Overview:
o
Vocabulary
study: Look up definitions for twenty words (due when packet is due). Small glossary of other words given. Background notes: students are expected to
take notes in the space given
o
Character
study: for the main characters, tell as much as you can about each.
o
Study
questions: answer as we read; these are due when the entire packet is due.
o
Dramatic
reading: It is expected that each student participate in the reading of this
play. There are twenty-two roles, but we
will share large roles so everyone has a part.
o
Test: Part of
Unit 1 Test
Unit Packet: 50 points
Background
notes
Author:
Drama:
Dramatic structure:
1.
2.
3.
True story:
A crucible is:
Puritans believed:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Why was the idea of possession accepted?
Themes:
1.
2.
3.
4.
McCarthy Hearings:
During the McCarthy
hearings (1950’s) many innocent people were accused of being traitors
(communists, mainly) to our country and, while they were not physically harmed,
their professional and personal lives were ruined by this adverse publicity,
which was often untrue. During this
period also (as in
Vocabulary study: Glossary: these words are defined for you.
1.
theocracy:
governed by religion
2.
providence:
God’s will; God’s intervention in human affairs
3.
Puritanical: strict
in morality and religion; this term has come about since the reign of the
Puritans
4.
inculcation:
impress with insistent urging; convince
5.
propitiation:
win good will
6.
ameliorate:
improve
7.
theology: the
study of a religious doctrine; what a particular sect believes
8.
vestry: the
room in the church where robes are kept
9.
apparition:
ghost
10.
trafficked:
have dealings with
11.
blink:
tolerate
Vocabulary study: You need to define the following twenty words.
1.
dissembling
2.
conjure
3.
vindictive
4.
propriety
5.
diametrically
6.
defamation
7.
malign
8.
fiend
9.
iniquity
10.
malevolence
11.
contempt
12.
prosecutor
13.
deposition
14.
plaintiff
15.
guile
16.
reprieve
17.
indictment
18.
conspiracy
19.
purged
20.
penitence
Character study: For each of the following characters, write who she/he is, what
relationship to other characters, any important character or personality traits
and any other important information.
|
|
Who is he/she? |
Relationship to whom? |
Problem? Acts of courage/cowardice? |
|
Reverend
Samuel Parris |
|
|
|
|
Betty
Parris |
|
|
|
|
Abigail
Williams |
|
|
|
|
Tituba |
|
|
|
|
Mrs. Ann
Putnam |
|
|
|
|
Thomas
Putnam |
|
|
|
|
John
Proctor |
|
|
|
|
Elizabeth
Proctor |
|
|
|
|
Rebecca
Nurse |
|
|
|
|
Reverend
John Hale |
|
|
|
Think of what you mean
when you use the words “honor,” “truth,” “justice,” or “courage.” Choose one character
that exemplifies your idea of one of these ideals and explain how he/she lives
up to your standards (or do the reverse: fails to live up to your standards).
Study Questions: Answer each fully (sometimes in sentences, sometimes the answer is
just a word or two). Keep these questions
out and fill in your answers as we read and not when we finish. Answers to some of the questions might be
found in the exposition sections.
Act I
1. What was Samuel
Parris’s attitude toward children?
2. Why do you think Rev.
Parris has many enemies?
3. After Parris begins to
believe his daughter to be afflicted by witchcraft, what is Thomas Putnam’s
advice to him?
4. What truths come out
when the adults leave the girls alone?
5. What’s going on between
Abigail and John Proctor?
6. Why does Betty start
screaming?
7. Why are some people,
including John Proctor, inclined to stay away from Sabbath meeting?
8. Why does Hale believe
the Devil would strike Rev. Parris’s house?
9. Though Rev. Hale is
trying to get Tituba to name her accomplices, who is the first person to
actually mention names?
10. Why isn’t it difficult
for Ann Putnam to believe that Goody Osburn is a witch?
Act II
11. What do you know about
the relationship between John and Elizabeth Proctor from the stage action and
opening dialogue of Act II?
12. Describe the power
Abigail has in the court room.
13. What’s going on
between the Proctors on pages 52-53 (________)?
14. Though Mary Warren
cannot say who accused Elizabeth Proctor, who do you believe accused her and
why?
15. Ironically, which
commandment can John not remember?
16. John Proctor seems to
be the only voice of reason in the confusing end of Act II. What are some examples to support this idea?
17. Why is Mary Warren
afraid of telling the truth about Abigail, for herself and for John?
Act III
18. Over and over,
Danforth says that the good have nothing to fear. What evidence can you give to show that the
opposite is true?
19. On pages 95-96
(_______) Danforth gives the premise for judging a witch. Summarize his guidelines.
20. Mary Warren's
testimony is destroyed in the end because she cannot do something. What?
How does she explain the problem?
21. Finally, Proctor
admits that he and Abigail have been lovers.
This truth could be the end of Abigail’s control. Why isn’t it?
22. What is the importance
of John Proctor’s last speech (in Act III)?
Act IV
23. What is Hale’s mission
in Act IV?
24. Parris tells Danforth,
“You cannot hang this sort” (123). What
does he mean?
25. Why won’t Danforth
pardon the prisoners?
26. Do you think Elizabeth
Proctor would confess if she were in her husband’s place? Explain.
27. In the end, what is it
that is of utmost importance to John Proctor?