The Crucible

In Act IV of The Crucible, why does Parris urge Elizabeth to go to her husband, who is being taken off to execution?

• so that she can show that she believes the death sentence is just

• so that she can make a last appeal to the mercy of the judges

• so that she can try once more to persuade him to confess

• so that she can comfort him in his final moments

According to Act IV of The Crucible, which of the following is the most likely reason that Abigail leaves Salem?

• Abigail believes that the townspeople are about to turn against her.

• Abigail feels too unhappy and guilty to stay in Salem any longer.

• Abigail inherits enough money to lead a life of ease in Boston.

• Abigail decides to rejoin her family and make a fresh start.

Which of the following statements by Parris best supports the answer to Part A?

• There is news, sir, that the court—the court must reckon with. My niece, sir, my niece—I believe she has vanished.

• Mark it, sir. Abigail had close knowledge of the town, and since the news of Andover has broken here … Andover have thrown out the court, they say, and will have no part of witchcraft.

Read the following speech from Act IV of The Crucible. Parris: Tonight, when I open my door to leave my house—a dagger clattered to the ground.… You cannot hang this sort. There is danger for me. I dare not step outside at night!

• The townspeople feel guilty and ashamed for believing the girls’ lies.

• The judges and leaders have decided that Parris is an incompetent preacher

• The townspeople are outraged that genuinely good people are being executed.

• The judges and leaders have received an accusation of witchcraft against Parris.

Which of the following speeches from Act IV best supports the answer to Part A?

• Herrick: He goes among them that will hang, sir. And he prays with them.

• Hathorne: Let you question Hale, Excellency; I should not be surprised he have been preaching in Andover lately.

• Danforth: Accept my congratulations. Reverend Hale; we are gladdened to see you returned to your good work.

• Hale: Life, woman, life is God’s most precious gift; … I beg you, woman, prevail upon your husband to confess. Let him give his lie.

Read the following speech from Act IV of The Crucible.

Proctor: You have made your magic now, for now I do think I see some shred of goodness in John Proctor. Not enough to weave a banner with, but white enough to keep it from such dogs.

Which of the following best accounts for Proctor’s newfound belief in the goodness of his own nature in the last moments of his life?

• because he refused to incriminate Rebecca and the others

• because he arranged for the financial support of his family

• because he publicly accused Abigail of being a harlot

• because he publicly accused Abigail of being a harlot

From the brief scene that opens Act IV of The Crucible, choose the statement that is most likely true of Tituba and Sarah Good.

• They are to be executed for witchcraft that morning.

• They are preparing to accuse other residents of Salem.

• They have come to believe the accusations against them.

• They have persuaded Herrick that the visions they describe are real.

Miller wrote The Crucible as an allegory of the anti-Communist climate of his own time. During this period, many Americans feared that an international Communist party was trying to overthrow the U.S. government. In Act IV of The Crucible, which aspect of the anti-Communist “Red Scare” does Hale’s character most clearly represent?

• the voice of hysteria that reacts out of panic and fear of government power

• the voice of the rebel who stands for individual freedom in the face of a mob mentality

• the voice of the system that is blinded to reality or reason and insists on the letter of the law

• the voice of enlightenment that realizes the resulting hysteria from what seemed at first to be rational action

Why is Paris upset with Abigail in the opening act? Choose the best answer.

• Because he is a jerk

• Because she was fired from Proctor's house

• Because he is concerned for her soul

• Because her behavior might ruin his reputation in Salem

Why is Thomas Putnam bitter? Choose the best answer.

• Because he hates everyone and everything

• Because he feels slighted by the village of Salem

• Because he doesn't want Reverend Hale coming to Salem

• Because he hates Rebecca Nurse