Arthur Miller, The Crucible

Act One

How effectively does the opening of the play introduce the audience to the situation?

How does Miller create tension and suspense in the period before the arrival of Hale?

Find evidence in the dialogue for Parris's insecurity. Discuss the conflicts which emerge in the first act. Who are they between, and what are the reasons for them?

What relationship exixts /has existed betwen Proctor and Abigail?

Comment on their characters to this point.

How are the social divisions of Salem manifested in act one? Comment on the role of Rebecca Nurse.

Comment on Hale's character.

Discuss his interrogation of Tituba. Comment on Abigail's "confession".

What do you think is the cause of the hysteria which follows?

How effective is the ending of act one?

The Crucible

Act Two

Comment on the tensions between Proctor and Elizabeth.

What are Elizabeth's suspicions, and what is Proctor's response?

Why is Proctor hesitant about going to Salem to oppose the trials?

How do Mary Warren's revelations about the trials increase the tension? What does Elizabeth infer from the news that she has been "mentioned"?

Comment on the dialogue between Proctor and Elizabeth after Mary Warren's exit. How is it resolved?

Why is Hale's entry dramatically effective?

Comment on his interrogation of the Proctors.

What is the significance for the play as a whole, of Proctor's private guilt over his affair with Abigail? (Refer to the speech in which he forgets the seventh??? commandment)

Comment on the entry of Giles and Francis. What is Hale's reaction?

Comment on Proctor's speech "If she is innocent! Why do you never wonder..... I'll not give my wife to vengeance."

Comment on Hale's speech about "secret blasphemy" with which he exits Act Two?

What is your assessment of his position?

How effective is the ending of Act Two?  Consider the impact of Mary Warren's knowledge of Proctor's guilt, and how this final scene leads into the action of Act Three.

The Crucible

Questions on Act Three

How does the use of the offstage voices heighten the drama and tension?

What are we in suspense for? (relate to last moments of Act Two)

Comment on the role of Giles Corey in this scene and in the play as a whole.

What differences are there between the roles of Danforth and Hathorne in the courtroom scene?

In what ways does Miller use the Salem court as a symbol of the abuse of power in society? (This should be an essay length answer - or else done as notes for a possible essay)

Comment on Danforth's decision to arrest people "for examination". What issue is highlighted here?

What is the substance of Giles's deposition, and why does he refuse to give the name of his informant?

"No uncorrupted man may fear this court" (Danforth). What is the essence of the conflict between Danforth and Giles?

In what way has the Reverend Hale's position changed?

Comment on his character at this point.

Comment on Danforth's speech (in which he refuses to allow Proctor to seek a lawyer: "Mr Hale, believe me; for a man of such terrible learning you are most bewildered....Have I not?"

How does the tension and suspense rise in the interrogation of Mary Warren?

Comment on the intervention of Judge Hathorne. How does his new line of questioning increase the suspense?

What feelings are created in the audience?

Why is Proctor forced to reveal his lechery with Abigail?

Comment on the courtroom device by which Danforth seeks to test the truth of Proctor's allegations.

What is the effect of Elizabeth's lie? How has this moment been prepared for?

How do you explain Danforth's attitude in refusing to believe Proctor?

How effective is the ending of Act Three? Consider Abigail's role, and the implications for Proctor.

The Crucible

Questions on Act Four: Essay questions.

What are the social conditions in Salem?

What is the significance of mention of rebellion in Andover?

What is Parris' position in this Act?

Comment on his revelation that Abigail has decamped.

Why has Hale returned?

Why are the judges suspicious of him, and worried about Parris?

Comment on Hale's entrance.

Contrast his reasons for asking for postponement or pardon, with Parris's.

Why cannot Danforth change his ground?

What does Hale say to Elizabeth and why?

Comment on Proctor's entry, and on the scene between him and Elizabeth.

What is the effect of the revelation of Giles' death? What does his end symbolise?

In what ways does this news have a bearing on Proctor's state of mind - his inner conflict?

Why does Proctor initially think it might be acceptable for him to save his own life and confess?

What is Elizabeth's response?

What comment would you make on her character here?  Do you think she should be more supportive of him?

Comment on her confession of "coldness".

What is the significance of Danforth asking Proctor to implicate others?

Why, in the end, does Proctor tear up the confession?

Does Proctor's final stand resolve the issues of the play?

Essay Questions: "Life, woman, life is God's most precious gift; no principle, however glorious, may justify the taking of it." (Hale; Act Four)

To what extent does this comment of Hale, in Act Four, sum up the central concerns of Arthur Miller's The Crucible?

"Miller's play shows us that the abuse of power by the State and by individuals always goes hand in hand." Discuss. You may make reference to outside events to show the play's contemporary relevance, but make sure you concentrate upon the text

"The success of any production of The Crucible depends on the role of John Proctor." Discuss. In what ways are his conflict with society and his inner conflict central for our understanding of the play and for its impact as theatre? (In your answer you could consider how the two levels of conflict reflect each other i.e. his guilt over Abigail as a reflection of the social conditions which led to the witchcraft trials.)

"A brilliant piece of theatre - the play makes superb use of atmosphere, climax, tension - entrances and exits..." Discuss Miller's stagecraft in The Crucible.