The Crucible – Arthur Miller

Contents
1. Note from the Compiler Pg. 2
2. Introduction to the Text Pg. 2
3. Chapter Summaries and Synopsis Pg. 4
4. Character Analyses Pg. 11
5. Themes and Symbols Pg. 12
6 Revision Self-Test Pg. 16
7. Answering the Contextual Questions Pg. 22
8. Answering Essay Questions Pg. 27
9. Suggested Answers Pg. 31

[Source: https://www.kobo.com/za/en/audiobook/the-crucible-34]
1. Note from the Compiler

Dear Learner.

I trust that you will find this study guide helpful in preparing for your final examination
on The Crucible.

This is a guide to help once you have actively worked through the text in class with
your educator.
You should use this guide to facilitate your studying process once you have a thorough
working knowledge of the text.

I hope you will interact with this guide to consolidate what you do know and highlight
what you need to revise.

I would like to acknowledge and thank Mrs R. Naicker from Protea Secondary School
for her editing of this document.

I wish you all the best as you prepare for your most important High School
examinations.

Yours Sincerely
A Scott (Amanzimtoti High School)

2. Introduction and Background to the text

The Crucible by Arthur Miller is based on the 1692-1693 Salem Witch trials. It is based
on real-life happenings.
The story is set in the Puritan town of Salem, Massachusetts. To completely
understand the tragedy of the witch trials, we have to understand the Puritan people of
Salem.

These people left England on the boat, The Mayflower, to escape religious persecution.
Therefore, they felt that they were modern-day Israelites, escaping their Egypt
(England) to the promised land (America). So they colonised America, taking land from
the Native Indians. This resulted in native/coloniser fighting. The Puritans banded
together in tight-knit communities for safety.

To further aid their existence they, by consent, had a Theocracy - a form of government
that combines Church and State – so the Minister or head of the church was also the
town mayor. This combination of State and Church led to many religious morals and
values becoming law.

The Puritans worked hard to survive; they had to grow and produce their own…
everything. They had very little time and therefore little/no patience or tolerance for fun
or ‘vain pastimes’. Any activity not seen as working towards the betterment of the
community or for God was severely punished.
Children were seen as young adults and expected to behave as such; they were not
given toys and were put to work at relatively young ages.

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 Punishment for crimes (such as not going to church and not having a valid reason for
that, or sleeping in church) would result in harsh and swift punishment, ranging from
public whipping to being clapped in the stocks to hanging.

This tight, small and strict society led to irritations within the community and much
bickering and infighting which is why, when the trials began, many people saw their
opportunity to ‘get back’ at others who had previously wronged them. This was also a
much-needed means to relieve guilt at things people had done, said or thought by
blaming ‘witches’ for sending out their spirits to make them do those things.
Thus, the trials became much more significant for many reasons than they might have
been in a more modern society.
Statistics in brief:

Genre: Drama/Tragedy/Gothic Fiction

Setting: Salem, Massachusetts
Antagonist: Abigail Williams
Protagonist John Proctor
Interesting to The witch hunts and trials did happen and, Arthur Miller is
know: open and honest about the few liberties that he took with the
facts, such as John Proctor did exist, as did Abigail Williams.
However, records show that at the time, John was actually in his
sixties, while Abigail was closer to ten!

* So, The Crucible can be said to be fiction based on non-fiction.

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3. Summaries and synopsis
An important note to the learner:
 These summaries are outside the domain of an in-depth reading of the actual
text and are meant to facilitate learning only once you have read the full text!

 These summaries have been designed to make you engage with them, so fill in the
blanks so that you are not merely passively reading, but actively engaging.

Act 1
The play opens with Reverend Parris praying beside his daughter, Betty’s bed.
Betty appears 1’____’ on the bed. 2. ______ ,the slave, enters and asks about
Betty’s health. Parris is short with her. He appears terribly 3. _____ about Betty.
Abigail Williams, Parris 4. _______ ,is there to announce that Susanna Walcott,
the servant for Dr Griggs has come. Susanna Walcott tells Parris that the doctor
cannot find a medical reason for Betty’s condition. After Parris tells Susana to go
back and inform the doctor that he should continue looking for a medical reason,
Parris begins questioning Abigail about what the girls did and about her 5.
________ in the town. Parris found the girls the night before 6. __________ in the
forest and he saw a dress on the ground and a naked girl running away. It was at
this point that Betty fainted. Now, Parris interrogates Abigail as he is worried about
his 7. _______.
The Putnams arrive in the room and appear to be excited that it is a ‘stroke of hell’
against Parris. However, the Putnams also tell Parris that their 8. ___________,
9. ________ is also in some kind of trance. The Putnam’s servant, 10. _______
arrives to see what is happening. Putnam tries to convince Parris to tell the town
what is going on, but in his fears for his 11. _____, Parris refuses. Eventually,
Parris is convinced to go and pray with the town’s people. Parris and the Putnams
leave the room.

Abigail and Mercy are left alone with Betty. They begin to discuss what they will
12. _____ to doing and what they will not. Betty wakes up and wants to fly to her
13. _____ who died long ago. Betty reminds Abigail that she has not told Parris
everything: she did not tell him that she drank 14. _____ to make a charm to kill
15. _____ _____. Mary enters and they continue to plot their evasion of
punishment. When 16. _____ _____ enters, Mary is in trouble for not being at work
at his house. Mary and Mercy leave and with Betty back in her comatose state,
Abigail and Proctor are left alone in the room. Abigail tries to 17. _____ Proctor
into continuing their 18. _____. Proctor responds that it is 19. _____.

When a 20. _____ is heard and Betty screams. Parris rushes back into the room,
followed by the Putnams, Rebecca Nurse and Giles Corey. Squabbling amongst
them ensues until 21. _____ _____ from 22. _____ arrives to examine Betty for
signs of 23 _____.

When Hale arrives, he is laden down with weighty tomes and 24. _____ to help
him in his search for the devil and signs of witchcraft. Hale instantly recognises
25. _____ ______ as she looks like ‘such a good soul should’. He is impressed
with the other prestigious company in the room. Hale then begins to question what
has led to this point, Parris informs him of the girls’ 26. _____ in the forest, Mrs

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 Putnam admits to sending her daughter, 27. _____ to 28. ______ to conjure her
dead siblings to find out how they died. Rebecca leaves the room as she does not
wish to see Betty potentially hurt as they attempt to release Betty from the Devil’s
grip.

29. _____ questions Hale about his wife and her reading, and how he sometimes
cannot say his prayers while she is in the room. When Hale begins an in-depth
line of questioning, Abigail acts innocent until Tituba is brought in and then realises
that she can save herself from punishment by telling everyone that Tituba’s spirit
made her do all the things she has done. Tituba attempts to deny the charges, but
eventually admits to ‘communing with the devil’. Hale takes Tituba’s hand and his
kind gesture and mannerisms make her tell him what she thinks he wants to hear.
She names a few women of 30. _____ reputation within the community that she
has ‘seen with the devil’. Abigail sees that Tituba is not getting into trouble and she
admits to being forced into servitude for the devil, she also adds names to the
growing list of women seen with the devil. Betty also senses the safety in what
they are doing, so she ‘wakes up’ and joins in the calling out of names as the
curtain closes.

Act 2
1. _____ days after the initial calling out of names, Elizabeth and John Proctor are
sitting down to their evening meal. The audience sees that their relationship is
2. _____. They tiptoe around each other, until they begin a heated argument. John
is angry that Elizabeth allowed 3. ____ to go to Salem when he had forbid it. John
is taken aback that there is now a full court in session, with judges from
4. _____ and 5. ______ ______ ______ as head judge. Elizabeth tells John (and
therefore the audience) that 6. _____ leads the girls into court, and they seem to
be deciding who is 7. _____ and who is 8. _____. Elizabeth suggests that John
should go and tell the court what he knows. John prevaricates, and eventually the
truth comes out that he was 9. _____ with Abigail when she admitted that it was
only ‘sport’ (10. ____).

Elizabeth becomes hurt, suspicious and angry, while John 11. _____ himself. As
their argument escalates, Mary enters the house and gifts Elizabeth with a gift of a
ragdoll (called a 12. _____ in those days) that she made in court that day. Mary
seems tired and upset. However, she tells John and Elizabeth that
13. _____ _____ confessed to witchcraft and so was spared her life, while
14. _____ _____ did not confess and has been sentenced to hang. Mary
continues to explain how they ‘know’ who is a witch and who is not. Then Mary
confesses that Elizabeth’s name was 15. _____ in court that day, but that she had
told them that she had never seen any sign of Elizabeth sending out her
16. _____.

Eventually, Mary goes to bed, and Elizabeth and John are shocked and frightened.
Elizabeth realises that Abigail is trying to get rid of her to be with John. John
cannot understand that his affair with Abigail has led to this. It is his belief that it is
17. _____, but he does not realise it is not over for Abigail. Their argument

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 reaches a crescendo as 18. _____ _____ arrives to assess the charges against
Elizabeth.

Hale tells them that even Rebecca Nurse has been mentioned in court, and he is
going from house to house to assess the verity of the charges. He questions their
lack of 19. _____ at church, and the fact that their youngest child has not been
20. _____. Proctor explains his dislike for Parris.
Eventually, Hale asks John to recite the ten commandments, of which John can
only recite 21. _____. Ironically it is the commandment forbidding 22. _____ that
he forgets.
Proctor tells Hale that Abigail admitted that the girls were only playing in the forest;
Hale cannot believe that as he had examined a number of the girls and women
who had confessed to witchcraft. Proctor points out to Hale that many people will
lie and confess to save their lives. This is something that does concern Hale. After
some advice to attend 23. _____ going forward, Hale is about to
25. _____ when Giles Corey and Francis Nurse rush in to inform them that their
wives have been arrested.

Ezekiel Cheever arrives with a warrant to arrest Elizabeth. He finds the ragdoll that
Mary Warren made for Elizabeth, and he finds a needle inside the doll. Even the
witchcraft expert, 25. _____ _____ is unaware of this, Ezekiel claims that it is a
sign of witchcraft, especially with a needle stuck in its belly. Abigail had been
‘stabbed’ in the belly that evening by a familiar spirit that she swears was the spirit
of Elizabeth Proctor. Even though Mary was called and explained that she had put
the needle in the doll for safekeeping, Elizabeth is arrested and shackled to the
cart. After everyone leaves, Proctor threatens Mary that she must tell the truth and
save Elizabeth.

Act 3
This scene opens with an empty stage and the audience can hear the voices of
the characters as 1. _____ questions 2. ______ ______ in court. Giles’s voice
interrupts, and Giles is forced onto stage in the ‘anteroom’ of the court. Judge
Hathorne and 3. _____ join them as Giles pleads his wife’s innocence. Danforth is
presented as 4. _____ and 5. ______. Hale is fair and tries to get Danforth to
allow Giles to present his case. Francis speaks up, and we hear that 6. _____ had
been found 7. _____ and sentenced to 8. _____ just that morning. Francis tells
Danforth that he has been 9. _____ by the girls. Danforth explains that he has
personally sentenced 10. _____ _____ people to jail and 11. _____ ______ to
12. _____

Proctor enters with Mary Warren. Proctor tries to hand Mary’s deposition to
Danforth who 13. _____ to accept it. 14. _____ tries to stir Danforth’s ire by
claiming that they have come to overthrow the court, Danforth has little patience
with him. Mary states that she was pretending along with the other girls. Danforth
is interested in questioning Proctor’s 15. ______. Proctor is informed that
Elizabeth is apparently 16. ______ and is told that due to the innocent life within
her, she will be spared from hanging for at least a year. He is then asked if he
would continue with his intentions towards the proceedings. Proctor’s 17. _____
and 18. ______ towards the wives of his friends prompt him to continue. Proctor

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 hands over a list of declarations from people who state their good opinion of
Martha, Rebecca and Elizabeth. Danforth orders that the people who have signed
should be 19. _____ for questioning.

Giles has Proctor hand over his deposition and Mr Putnam is brought to the
anteroom for questioning. He denies that he has led his daughter to name people
as witches so he can buy their land cheaply. Giles 20. _____ to give the name of
the person who told him that he heard this information.

Proctor speaks for 21. _____ as he tells all present that Mary was lying when she
‘saw’ Satan. 22. _____ begs Danforth to allow Proctor to return with a lawyer to
present his case; Hale is clearly unsure what to believe but does seem to want the
truth. Danforth‘s arrogance disallows this and he pushes on. He questions Mary
and then has Abigail brought in from the court. Abigail flatly denies Mary’s
statements. Eventually Proctor realises that he has to admit to his 23. _____ with
Abigail for them to believe that Abigail is trying to have Elizabeth legally murdered.

24. _____ is brought in and in an effort to protect John’s name, she denies that
John had an affair. She does not realise that this will condemn him for ‘attempting
to overthrow the court’. Abigail then ‘sees’ Mary’s spirit coming to attack her in the
form of a bird, Mary does not have the courage to continue to stand against the
girls and tells them all that Proctor is in league with the devil and he forced her to
come with him to overthrow the court. Abigail forgives Mary and Proctor is
arrested.

Hale 25. _____ the proceedings as he now realises that all is not as it appears.

Act 4
The scene takes place in a 1. ____ cell. Herrick comes to move 2. _____ and
3. _____ ______ out of their cell for a meeting. Tituba is convinced that the devil is
coming to take her back to 4. _____. Danforth, Hathorne and Cheever enter after
Tituba and Sarah have been removed. As they talk among themselves, we learn
that 5. _____ and 6. _____ have been in the jail since midnight, talking to and 7.
_____ with the inmates.

Parris comes in and he looks haggard. He admits that 8. _____ and 9. _____ have
vanished, and Abigail has taken all of his 10. _____. Parris tries to convince
Danforth to 11. _____ the hangings planned for that morning. Danforth refuses.
Eventually, Parris admits that his life has been threatened because a dagger was
thrown at him as he left his house that night. Hale enters, also looking drastically
changed. He tells Danforth to pardon those who will hang that day but Danforth
refuses.

Eventually they decide to bring 12. _____ to ask her to convince 13. _____ to
confess. Elizabeth says that she will try, but cannot promise. John and Elizabeth
are given some privacy to talk. Elizabeth tells John that 14. _____ would not admit
nor deny the charges against him and died as he was pressed with stones when
they tried to get him to answer to the charges against him. Proctor admits to

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 Elizabeth that he might 15. _____ to witchcraft, but he wants to know what she
thinks. Elizabeth admits that she made mistakes within their marriage as she didn’t
trust in John’s love for her and was cold towards him. She asks his 16. _____ and
tells him to do what he thinks is right, as she believes that he is a good man.

When the officials of the court come back in to the room, Proctor tells them that he
wants to live. They lead him in his confession as Cheever writes it down.
17. _____ is brought in to witness John’s ‘good example’ and is 18. _____ at what
he is doing. After John signs his name to the confession, he won’t allow them to
have it and ultimately tears it up. Proctor and Rebecca are led away to join the
others to hang.

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 Now complete the following visual representation of the plot.

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 Try to complete the following cause and effect chart for the Salem witch Trials.

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4. Character Analysis
Complete the following table of characters with the knowledge that you have of them.

Character Basic Characteristics Development Character’s

Outcome
Abigail Williams

John Proctor

Elizabeth
Proctor

Reverend
Parris

Rebecca Nurse

Giles Corey

Reverend John
Hale

Tituba

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5. Themes and Symbols
Themes, in any setwork, are vitally important.
They give us insight into morals and lessons learnt in the novel. A story's themes are part of the
reason for the author writing the novel. Themes get the author's message across to the reader.

We will be studying the following themes in The Crucible:

Integrity vs. Reputation

Good versus Evil

Ignorance

Religion

Power

1. Integrity vs. Reputation

Integrity is what you think of yourself and how you judge yourself, while reputation is how
others see you. John Proctor struggles with the battle between integrity and reputation; he
initially does not stop the witch trials because he values his reputation in the community;
however, at the end of the play, John states, "Because it is my name! Because I cannot have
another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies!.. I have given you my soul; leave me
my name!” At the end, it is a combination of reputation and integrity that leads John to do what
he believes is the right thing. Many other characters place reputation before integrity, Parris
and Danforth being two of these such characters.

2. Good versus Evil

The people of Salem believe as much in the devil as they do in God. Miller seems to believe in
a more progressive idea of these two extremes, that nothing is completely evil, nor completely
good. The people of Salem however cannot see the continuum, only the extremes, which leads
to an all-or-nothing approach to judgement and goodness.

3. Ignorance
The people of Salem in 1692 were not as medically advanced as we are today. They were
ignorant of many things that we take for granted. For example, a woman giving birth to more
than one baby who died before it was a day old. In today’s era of medical enlightenment,
autopsies would be done, but even before that, multiple scans are done of the baby in utero to
assess the foetus’ development. And so, a birth defect can normally be either predicted,
diagnosed and have doctors on hand at the birth to medically intervene or at least explain. In
Salem of 1692, they had no such knowledge and were ignorant and blamed the occult for such
happenings.

Further, when the Doctor could not explain Betty and Ruth’s altered states after being caught
dancing in the forest, it was immediately assumed to be some kind of demonic possession or a

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‘stroke of hell’ again. In today’s medical enlightenment, there would be many more medical
tests completed and theories tested before assuming occultic interference.

4. Religion

Religion was such a huge part of the lives of the people of this time. The Salemites left England
for America due to religious persecution. They saw themselves as modern-day Israelites
leaving Egypt (England) for their promised land – America.

They had a government system of Theocracy that combined church with the state, where the
Minister of the church was also the Mayor of the town.

Their lives were dedicated to survival and God.

A holiday from work meant more time to be spent in prayer. They even had men whose duty
was to travel the town during church and take the names of people not in church to the
magistrate.
Even education was mainly so that people could read the bible for themselves.

5. Power

Those who do not have it, want it and those who do have it want to keep it and increase it. The
girls, as some of the least powerful in society, want to hold on to power when they get it.

Parris and Danforth especially do not want to give up the power that they wield. This is why
when Parris finds the girls dancing, he goes along with Abigail’s lies and supports them.
However, when Danforth finally realises the truth, he does not stop the proceedings.
(Sidebar: Their reputation is also tied to this concept). Furthermore, when the Doctor could not
explain Betty and Ruth’s altered states after being caught dancing in the forest, it was
immediately assumed to be some kind of demonic possession or a ‘stroke of hell’ again. In
today’s medical enlightenment, there would be many more medical tests completed and
theories tested before assuming occultic interference.

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Now complete the following Crossword to make sure that you have internalised the above
themes.

Q D A N F O R T H H E L P M N
F D R I N T E G R I T Y T E T
K E A M Y B P T F C A O O B H
P R F T S E U E A U F R M I E
C I Y B E T T Y A P W R O B L
V E S I L O A C N O O R R L O
N N S A A U T A D P R A Y E R
L D I H W M I R E B N D A M D
Y I M J K I O F P H E E S A R
I G N O R A N T N J A C O O E
R D E H I S L U N R E D K O S
H F L N X S E D S A V T O E S
O U Y P A T R I A R C H A L O
P I P R D S P O R T P R A B H
G Y Z O A I N N I S R O Y I C
S X T C N N G C O M S E A C T
P G H T C T Y R A N N Y N U I
G L A O V H M A N P L I D R W
M I S R A E L I T E S M S C M
L O N D K O G U D R S G J U E
C B F S V C H O M S L A V E S
V G S G W R E R E E U L J Q S
R S X W S A D H N C O O H E A
D B B E I C L T Y U Y N G T G
S S G K L Y M T T T Y E A Y E
R M S L R E O R S I O D D I Q
U M B V T S A A T O J S S P D
V J J D W A D G J N L Z C B N

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 Clues
1 How you view yourself
2 When you are unaware of something
3 Parris was more concerned with his reputation that he was for the welfare of_________.
4 The Salemites saw themselves as modern day _______
5 A holiday from work meant more time for ____________
6 Who had the least amount of power in society?
7 If Men had more power due to their gender, this society is known as a __________ society.
8 How others view you
9 The government system where church and state are combined
10 A Character who struggled with reputation versus integrity
11 The Salemites left England due to ______________
12 Apart from Parris, who else places their reputation above integrity?
13 People were educated so that they could read the ______ for themselves.
14 Themes help to get a _________ across to the reader.
15 Related to power is the idea of _________ where the leader exercises his power ruthlessly
and with cruelty

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6. Revision Self Test

1. Match the character in column A with the relevant quotation in

column B:

Column A: Characters Column B: Quotes

1 Abigail A “Why, this go hard with her, Proctor, this – I had
my doubts,”
2 Proctor B “I never said my wife were a witch, Mr Hale;”
3 Parris C “I cannot think the Devil may own a woman’s
soul, Mr Hale, when she keeps an upright way as
I have.”
4 Rebecca D “Pontius Pilate! God will not let you wash your
hands of this!”
5 Mary E “We burn a hot fire here; it melts down all
concealment.”
6 Hale F “He wake me every night, his eyes were like
coals and his fingers claw my neck.”
7 Danforth G “There is prodigious danger in the seeking of
loose spirits. I fear it, I fear it.”
8 Elizabeth H “There is a faction that is sworn to drive me from
my pulpit”
9 Cheever I “I will come to you in the black of some terrible
night and I will bring a pointy reckoning that will
shudder you.”
10 Corey J “before the laws of God we are as swine”
[10]

2. Choose the Correct answer from the alternatives given:

2.1 Abigail’s initial intention was to:

A) save herself from whipping

B) save herself from hanging
C) have an affair with John Proctor
C) get John Proctor to come back to her

2.2 After being caught by Parris in the forest, Abigail’s intention changed
to:

A) save herself from whipping

B) Save herself from hanging
C) Have an affair with John Proctor
C) Get John Proctor to come back to her

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 2.3 During the witch trials, Abigail’s intention further morphed to:

A) Get John Proctor to die

B) Get Elizabeth Proctor hanged
C) Save herself from whipping
C) Chase Parris from his pulpit

2.4 How does Giles Corey die?

A) He is hanged
B) He is pressed to death with stones
C) Abigail throws a dagger at him
C) He breaks his neck

2.5 Who started the initial calling out of names of witches?

A) Abigail
B) Betty
C) Tituba
C) Mercy
[5]

3. Complete the following quotes then identify who spoke them:

Quote Speaker
3.1 “I’ve not said a word. No one here can
______________________________ I’ve said a word. Is she
going to___________________ again?”
3.2 “Abby, I may think of you _______________________ from
time to time.”
3.3 “I want a mark of _______________________, is all!”
3.4 “There be a _____________________ names; why does she
call mine? There be a certain ___________________ in
calling such a name.”
3.5 “Nurse, though our _____________ break, we cannot flinch;
these are new times, sir.”
3.6 “She’ll kill me for sayin’ that! Abby’ll charge __________ on
you, Mr Proctor!”
3.7 “Do you take it upon yourself to determine what this
_________ shall believe?”
3.8 “I have been _____________, Mr Danforth; I have seen my
blood runnin’ out!”
[18]

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 4. Give one word to answer the following questions:

4.1 Who had an affair with John Proctor?

4.2 Who caught the girls dancing in the forest?
4.3 Who did Parris call to confirm or deny the existence of
witchcraft in the town?
4.4 What was Tituba a servant or slave?
4.5 With whom does Proctor quibble over ownership of lumber?

4.6 Who goes to Tituba to learn about who killed Goody

Putnam’s babies?
4.7 Who charged witchcraft on Martha Corey?
[7]

5. What do the following quotes reveal about the speakers?

5.1 “If Rebecca Nurse be tainted, then nothing’s left to stop the
whole green world from burning. Let you rest upon the
justice of the court; the court will send her home, I know it.” - Hale

5.2 “I am never put upon; I know my rights, sir, and I will have
them.” - Corey

5.3 “I cannot mount the gibbet like a saint. It is a fraud. I am

not that man.” - Proctor

[3x2=6]

6. Indicate the themes prevalent in the following statements:

6.1 “Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in

my life!”
6.2 “A person is either with this court or he must be counted
against it, there be no road between..”

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 [2x2=4]
7. State whether the following are true or false. If false, give a reason
for your answer.

7.1 Danforth once ruled in Corey’s favour and gave him ten
pound damages.

7.2 Abigail planted the poppet in the Proctor household.

[2x2=4]

8. How do the following quotes affect your understanding of Hale?

8.1 “Now let me instruct you. We cannot look to superstition in this. The Devil is
precise…and I must tell you all that I shall not proceed unless you are
prepared to believe me if I should find no bruise of hell upon her”

8.2 “Let you not mistake your duty as I mistook my own. I came to this village
like a bridegroom to his beloved, bearing gifts of high religion.”

[2x2=4]

9. Study the following extract and answer the questions that follow:

Extract 1
Danforth: Remove her, Marshal. 1

Proctor: Elizabeth, tell the truth!

Danforth: She has spoken. Remove her! 5

Proctor: (crying out): Elizabeth, I have confessed it!

Elizabeth: Oh, God! (The door closes behind her.)

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 Proctor: She only thought to save my name!

Hale: Excellency, it is a natural lie to tell; I beg you, stop now

before another is condemned! I may shut my conscience 10
to it no more – private vengeance is working through this
testimony! From the beginning this man has struck me
true. By my oath to Heaven, I believe him now, and I pray
you call back his wife before we –

Danforth: She spoke nothing of lechery, and this man has lied! 15

Hale: I believe him! (Pointing at Abigail.) This girl has always

struck me false! She has –

ABIGAIL, with a weird, wild, chilling cry screams up to the

ceiling

Abigail: You will not! Begone! Begone, I say! 20

Danforth: What is it, child? (But ABIGAIL, pointing with fear, is now
raising up her frightened eyes, her awed face, toward the
ceiling- the girls are doing the same- and now
HATHORNE, HALE, PUTNAM, CHEEVER, HERRICK,
and DANFORTH do the same.) What’s there? (He lowers 25
his eyes from the ceiling, and now he is frightened; there is
real tension in his voice.) Child! (She is transfixed – with
all the girls, she is whimpering open-mouthed, agape at the
ceiling.) Girls! Why do you - ?

Act 3

9.1 What lie did Elizabeth tell? Why did she lie? (2)

9.2 Was it expected that Elizabeth would lie? Discuss your answer. (2)

9.3 Why is it so important that Elizabeth should tell the truth in this
situation? (3)

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 9.4 Discuss how Hale has changed from when we first met him until this
point in the play. (6)

9.5 Abigail looks like a victim here, but is she? How has she been
instrumental in the whole situation? (5)

9.6 It seems absurd for so ‘weighty a judge’ as Danforth to be taken in by

Abigail and the other girls. Why does he allow himself to be beguiled
by them? (4)
[25]

[3x2=6]

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7. Answering the Contextual Questions
The following Information on answering contextual questions is taken from the Just In Time
Study Guide 2022
These questions will guide you in what to expect from the contextual question in your exam.
Study the following information taken from the JIT (August 2022, pages 8-11) and then attempt
the contextual questions that follow.
Level 2 Reorganisation: Questions that need you to bring together different pieces of
information in an organised way.
Place the extract in Explain how the events of the extract fit into the sequence of events of
context… the text as a whole.
The question should be approached using the following steps:
1. Consider the extract given and reflect on what happened before
the extract, when it happened and who was involved.
2. Discuss the event up to where the extract ends.
3. Note: 3 distinct points must be provided for 3 marks.

Level 3 Inference: Questions that need you to interpret (make meaning of) the text using
information that may not be clearly stated. This process involves thinking about what happened
in different parts of the text; looking for clues that tell you more about a character, theme or
symbol; and using your own knowledge to help you understand the text.

Explain how this idea Identify the links to the theme.

links with the theme x
…
Compare the Point out the similarities and differences.
attitudes/actions of
character x with
character y …
Do you agree that Point out the differences and come to a conclusion which shows your
the…represents the agreement or lack thereof. Note that most questions like this expect
contrast between… you to agree, so be careful if you choose to disagree. Your position of
agreement/disagreement needs detailed textual reference and
substantiation.
What do the words … State what you think the meaning is, based on your understanding of
suggest/reveal the text.
about…?
Comment on how the Foreshadows: be a warning or indication of (a future event)
image State how this image/incident prepares you for future events
foreshadows…..
Stage Direction Discuss body language, facial expression, tone, action/movement of
the speaker and motivation of the character. Stage directions are
written from the perspective of the actor facing the audience.
Eg from Hamlet: In keeping with Polonius’s melodramatic and
seemingly concerned display of concern, his eyes will seem sincere,
his arms will either be clasped as if he is swearing an oath, or they will
be outstretched to indicate that he is certain and very sincere. His body
posture will be slightly bent forward to indicate his respect, almost like
a subtle curtsy. He may shake his hands when he says ‘at all.’ He may
shake his head to indicate ‘no.’ He will over-dramatise because he

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 loves an audience and he is selling his soul to the King and Queen. His
movements will therefore look over the top or large.
His tone will be sincere, even emotional and concerned, as he is
desperate to hit the right note with his audience. He will sound
respectful but his voice will be exaggerated.
How does character x Write down the character’s reaction/what the character did/felt.
react when…?
Describe how
something affected
character x …
State how you know
that character x is …
How does the Discuss the differences in the characters (before and after).
character/s
contrasting attitudes
…
What did character x Explain why the character used those particular words. Make sure that
mean by the you refer to specific words.
expression …?
Explain the Write the reason(s) for … /Give the repercussions of …
cause/effect of …

How does the Explain what the line/metaphor/simile/figurative language/image/literary

line/metaphor/simile/fi device suggests and how it clarifies your understanding of the text.
gurative For similes and metaphors, discuss the comParrison and how it adds
language/image/litera meaning to the text.
ry device affect your
understanding …?
What, do you think, Explain what the consequences of the action/situation would be.
would be the
outcome/effect/etc. of
an action/situation
…?
Account for … Give the reason behind an action/event.

What does the Explain what the word/line tells you and discuss the clues hinted at by
word/line suggest / the word/line…
imply…?
Evaluation: Questions that require you to make a judgment based on your knowledge and
understanding of the text and your own experience. There is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answer to
these questions, but you must give a valid reason for your
opinion based on specific information given in the text.
Discuss your view/a Consider all the information and reach a conclusion.
character’s feelings/a
theme ...
Do you think that … Give your views/opinion on the given topic.
Do you agree State whether or not you agree with something/someone in the text.
with/that … You need to base your opinion on specific information given in the text.

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In your opinion, what Your view point needs to be based on specific information given in the
… text.
Give your views on … Your opinion needs to be based on specific information given in the
text.
In light of the Evaluate and assess both sides of the topic. Investigate or examine by
poem/novel/drama as argument or debate, giving reasons for and against.
a whole, critically
discuss …
In your view, is … Give reasons, based on the text, why you/a character/the writer
justified? adopt(s) a particular standpoint.
Comment on … To discuss or speak about …providing evidence from the text to
support your opinion.
Critically comment … To discuss, speak about and form an opinion about…providing
evidence from the text to support
Level 5 Appreciation: Questions that ask about your emotional response to plot, characters
and style. There is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answer to these questions, but you must give
a valid reason for your opinion based on specific information given in the text.
How would you feel if Imagine that you are character x and describe your emotions based on
you were character x your understanding of evidence from the text.
when …?
Discuss your Give your reaction to something and give reasons for your reaction
response to … based on evidence from the text.
Do you feel sorry State whether you empathize with the character’s emotions/situation.
for…? / Do you Are you able to have compassion for …? Provide reasons for whether
identify with…? you have compassion or not.
Discuss the writer’s To answer this type of question, ask yourself: Does the style, word,
use of style, diction image help me to feel/imagine what is happening/what a character is
and figurative feeling? Why/why not? Give reasons for your answer.
language,
dialogue …
[Source: JIT document Aug P2 2022]

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 Time to practise!
The following contextual questions have been taken from past papers.

Extract 1
Proctor: Aye, sir. She swears now that she never saw Satan; nor 1
any spirit, vague or clear, that Satan may have sent to hurt
her. And she declares her friends are lying now.

Proctor starts to hand Danforth the deposition, and Hale

comes up to Danforth in a trembling state. 5

Hale: Excellency, a moment. I think this goes to the heart of the

matter.

Danforth: (with deep misgivings) It surely does.

Hale: I cannot say he is an honest man; I know him little. But in

all justice, sir, a claim so weighty cannot be argued by a 10
farmer. In God’s name, sir, stop here; send him home and
let him come again with a lawyer –

Danforth: (patiently) Now look you, Mr Hale –

Hale: Excellency, I have signed seventy-two death warrants; I

am a minister of the Lord, and I dare not take a life without 15
there be a proof so immaculate no slightest qualm of
conscience may doubt it.

Danforth: Mr Hale, you surely do not doubt my justice.

Hale: I have this morning signed away the soul of Rebecca

Nurse, Your Honour. I’ll not conceal it, my hand shakes 20
yet as with a wound! I pray you, sir, this argument let
lawyers present to you

Act 3
1.1 Place this extract in context. (4)

1.2 Refer to lines 1-3, ‘She swears now…lying now.’

1.2.1 Who is the ‘she’ that Proctor refers to? (1)

1.2.2 Who are the ‘friends’ that he mentions? (1)

1.3 Refer to line 8, ‘I cannot say he is an honest man; I know him little.’
Explain what Hale knows about Proctor at the moment? (4)

1.4 Refer to lines 12-14, ‘I have signed seventy-two death warrants …

proof so immaculate’

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 Account for why this ‘minister of the Lord’ would be signing death
warrants. (3)

1.5 Refer to lines 17-19, ‘I have this morning…with a wound!’

Account for Hale’s tremendous emotional reaction at signing away
Rebecca Nurses’ life. (3)

Extract 2
Danforth: Marshal! 1

Parris: (hysterically, as though the tearing paper were his life)

Proctor, Proctor!

Hale: Man, you will hang! You cannot!

Proctor: (his eyes full of tears): I can. And there’s your first marvel, 5
that I can. You have made your magic now, for 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 10
such dogs. (Elizabeth, in a burst of terror,
rushes to him and weeps against his hand.) Give them no
tear! Tears pleasure them! Show honour now, show a
stony heart and sink them with it! (He has lifted her, and
Rebecca: kisses her now with great passion)

Danforth: Let you fear nothing! Another judgement awaits us all! 15

Hang them high over the town! Who weeps for these,
weeps for corruption! (He sweeps out past them. Herrick
starts to lead Rebecca, who almost collapses, but Proctor
catches her, and she glances up at him apologetically.)

Act 4
1.6 Place this extract in context. (3)

1.7 Refer to line 6, ‘You have made your magic now.’ (3)
Discuss the irony in these words.

1.8 Refer to line 13, ‘Let you…us all!.’

If you were the director of a production of The Crucible, describe how
you would instruct the actress playing Rebecca Nurse to deliver these
lines. Justify your instructions with reference to both body language (3)
and tone.
[25]

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8. Answering Essay Questions on Dorian Gray
First we need to remind ourselves how to write a literature essay. Use the following
infographics to remind yourself how to do it.

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 Time to practise!
Please try the following essay for yourself and then ask your educator to look at your
style and where you can polish your writing!.

1. “You drank a charm a charm to kill John Proctor’s wife! You drank a charm to kill
Goody Proctor!”
In a well substantiated essay, discuss Abigail’s original intentions and how they
changed throughout the play. Further analyse how Abigail goes about achieving her
goals.

Your response should take the form of a well-constructed essay of 400-450 words
(2-2 ½ pages). Remember to make use of good paragraphing techniques, referring
closely to the text.
[Source: Amanzimtoti High School Preparatory Exam 2020]

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9. Suggested Answers

ACT 1 Act 2
1. Inert 1. Eight
2. Tituba 2. strained
3. Worried 3. Mary
4. Niece 4. Boston
5. Reputation 5. Deputy Governor Danforth
6. Dancing 6. Abigail
7. Reputation 7. guilty
8. daughter 8. innocent
9. Ruth 9. alone
10. Mercy 10. fun
11. reputation 11. defends
12. admit 12. poppet
13. mother 13. Sarah Good
14. blood 14. Goody Osburn
15. Elizabeth Proctor 15. mentioned
16 John Proctor 16 Spirit
17 manipulate 17 over
18 affair 18 Reverend Hale
19 over 19 attendance
20 psalm 20 baptised
21 Reverend Hale 21 nine
22 Beverly 22 adultery
23 Witchcraft 23 church
24 Textbooks 24 leave
25 Rebecca Nurse 25 Reverend Hale
26 Dancing
27 Ruth
28 Tituba
29 Giles
30 Low

ACT 3 Act 4
1. Hathorne 1. jail
2. Martha Corey 2. Tituba
3. Danforth 3. Sarah Good
4. Arrogant 4. Barbados
5. condescending 5. Hale
6. Rebecca 6. Parris
7. guilty 7. praying
8. hang 8. Abigail
9. deceived 9. Mercy
10. four hundred 10. money
11. seventy two 11. postpone
12. hang 12. Elizabeth
13. refuses 13. Proctor
14. Parris 14. Giles

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 15. motives 15. confess
16 pregnant 16 forgiveness
17 conscience 17 Rebecca
18 guilt 18 horrified
19 arrested
20 refuses
21 Mary
22 Hale
23 adultery
24 Elizabeth
25 denounces

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4. Character Analysis
Complete
the
following
table of
characters
with the
knowledge
that you
have of
them.

Character Basic Characteristics Development Character’s

Outcome
Abbygail 17 years old. Servant in Character does not undergo Runs away
the Proctor Household significant change, the with Mercy
and had an affair with narcissistic qualities Lewis after
John Proctor. inherent at the beginning stealing from
An Orphan taken in by are consistent with Abigail’s Paris
her Uncle Paris. An running away in self-
exceptional actress, with preservation at the end.
an ability for
manipulation.
John Farmer, mid-thirties, hard Develops from an upright Hung.
Proctor working, husband to man in reputation only with
Elizabeth. Strong both a self-loathing due to
mentally and physically. compromising his personal
Has clear personal values, to a man who does
morals and values. Does the right thing, soiling his
not suffer fools gladly. name to save his wife and
Had an affair with other innocent people. At
Abbygail some months the end, he is hung with as
before the beginning of he says, just a little bit of
the play, although it was goodness in him. Although
kept secret, he feels a he is largely a man to be
hypocrite for this sin. admired for his strength of
Despises Paris. character.
Elizabeth Housewife to John Although initially cold and Survives and
Proctor Proctor, a good women, judgemental of her husband is eventually
both in integrity and for his affair, she comes to freed from
reputation. Lives her life realise that she also had her prison.
by the words of the bible. own faults, she lies to
Is known never to lie. protect his name.
Reverend A widower of roughly Very limited development, Voted from
Paris Forty years. Minister of basically a flat character office and
Salem, Father to Betty, disappeared.

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 Uncle and Guardian to who is self-serving from
Abigail. Was a merchant beginning to end.
before going into the
ministry. Is a self-serving
man with very limited
people skills. Values his
power, position and
reputation above all else.
Rebecca An exceptionally good No development or change Hung.
Nurse person, a Mother and in her character, she is
grandmother many times morally correct from
over. She is calm and beginning to end, even
logical and viewed by the when accused of witchcraft,
town as someone to be she clings to the teachings
respected. of the bible.
Giles A muscular and well-built Is not as troublesome as he Pressed to
Corey man in his eighties. He is initially appears to others in death with
seen by the town as the town, but his stone slabs
irascible, and a trouble determination comes
causer. He is also quick through as he dies slowly
to take people to court for and painfully to maintain his
any slight, imagined or silence.
real.
Reverend Initially seen as an Significant developments in Unknown.
John Hale arrogant, narrow minded this character. He grows
man. He is an from a man who appears
intellectual, nearing forty set in his ways and even
and a minister devoted to concerned with his own self-
the rooting out and importance, to a man who
eradication of witchcraft can see he has made a
and all tings relating to mistake and tries to rectify it
the Devil. He is in the best way he can think
passionate about his job. of. He tries to do the right
thing according to the bible.
Tituba A slave from Barbados, Flat Character All that is
in her forties. Many known is
people know her to be that she was
able to contact the dead/ in jail.
do magic.

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5. Themes and Symbols
Q D A N F O R T H H E L P M N
F D R I N T E G R I T Y T E T
K E A M Y B P T F C A O O B H
P R F T S E U E A U F R M I E
C I Y B E T T Y A P W O B L
V E S I L O A C N O O R R L O
N N S A A U T A D P R A Y E R
L D I H W M I R E B N D A M D
Y I M J K I O F P H E E S A R
I G N O R A N T N J A C O O E
R D E H I S L U N R E D K O S
H F L N X S E D S A V T O E S
O U Y P A T R I A R C H A L O
P I P R D S P O R T P R A B H
G Y Z O A I N N I S R O Y I C
S X T C N N G C O M F E A C T
P G H T C T Y R A N N Y N U I
G L A O V H M A N P L I D R W
M I S R A E L I T E S M S C M
L O N D K O G U D R S G J U E
C B F S V C H O M S L A V E S
V G S G W R E R E E U L J Q S
R S X W S A D H N C O O H E A
D B B E I C L T Y U Y N G T G
S S G K L Y M T T T Y E A Y E
R M S L R E O R S I O D D I Q
U M B V T S A A T O J S S P D
V J J D W A D G J N L Z C B N

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 Answers
1 INTEGRITY
2 IGNORANT
3 BETTY
4 ISREALITES
5 PRAYER
6 SLAVES
7 PATRIARCHAL
8 REPUTATION
9 THEOCRACY
10 JOHN PROCTOR
11 PERSECUTION
12 DANFORTH
13 BIBLE
14 MESSAGE
15 TYRANNY

6. Revision Self Test

1 1 I
2 D
3 H
4 G
5 F
6 J
7 E
8 C
9 A
10 B

2 2.1 D
2.2 B
2.3 B
2.4 C
2.5 C

3 Complete Quote Speaker

3.1 I’ve not said a word. No one here can testify I’ve said a Giles
word. Is she going to fly again? Corey

3.2 Abby, I may think of you softly from time to time. John
Proctor

3.3 I want a mark of confidence, is all! Reverend

Parris

3.4 There be a thousand names; why does she call mine? Elizabeth
There be a certain danger in calling such a name. Proctor

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 3.5 Nurse, though our hearts break, we cannot flinch; these Reverend
are new times, sir. John
Hale

3.6 She’ll kill me for sayin’ that! Abby’ll charge lechery on Mary
you, Mr Proctor! Warren

3.7 Do you take it upon yourself to determine what this court Deputy-
shall believe? Governor
Danforth

3.8 I have been hurt, Mr Danforth; I have seen my blood Abigail

runnin’ out Williams

4 4.1 Abigail
4.2 Parris
4.3 Hale
4.4 Slave
4.5 Putnam
4.6 Ruth
4.7 Walcott

5 5.1 Hale believes that Rebecca is innocent but further, he

believes that the court is just and fair. He believes
that the court WILL see the truth and WILL exonerate
Rebecca. Hale still has faith in the court.

5.2 Corey will not be trifled with. He knows the law and
he will not let anyone get away with making any kind
of fool of him.

5.3 Proctor knows that he did wrong in cheating on

Elizabeth. He is not what everyone thinks he is – without
sin.

6 6.1 Reputation
6.2 Power

7 7.1 False – Danforth’s father gave Corey 9 pound damages

7.2 False – Mary made the poppet and took it to Elizabeth.
Abigail simply used the situation in her favour.

8 8.1 Hale is overconfident, even condescending in the

knowledge that he has above the townsfolk. He
wants them to accept his learning and authority.

8.2 Hale realizes that he was wrong and admits it!

He is more humble than we originally gave him
credit for.

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 9 9.1 Elizabeth lied that John did not have an affair with
Abigail. She did it to save his reputation.
9.2 No, definitely not. Elizabeth is known to never have told
a lie. She is highly religious and does not lie as following
her religious code.
9.3 Elizabeth needs to tell the truth here, because John has
already admitted the truth. If Elizabeth lies, she will
undermine John’s confession and make the judges
disbelieve what he has said to get her free.
9.4 When we first meet Hale, he is condescending and
arrogant. It is difficult to appreciate him as a character,
he comes across as a man who thinks he knows it all
and will not listen to anyone who has a differing view. At
this point in the play, he begins to realise that he has
been hoodwinked and that he can indeed be wrong.
9.5 Abigail is very definitely not the victim. She began this
whole situation, with trying to do witchcraft to get rid of
Elizabeth Proctor so that she could be with John Proctor.
When she was caught, Abigail shifted the blame first to
Tituba and then when Tituba appeared to escape
hanging, she seized the opportunity to save herself
completely and further gain power by naming people as
witches.
9.6 At first, it is not so much the girls he believes, but he
would be called by Hale and Parris to set up the court.
He would have believed Hales findings especially after
receiving Tituba’s confession. From there, the girls
reinforced his beliefs by acting so well and in complete
accordance with each other. After he realises that he
has been fooled, he continues and refuses to put an end
to the lies.

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