"The Crucible" - Act 1 Questions and Notes

Stage Directions
These are very important in The Crucible. Not only do they help us visualise what is happening but they also tell us about characters, themes, and historical background.

Characters are described on first entry eg
Abigail has “an endless capacity for dissembling”
Mrs. Putnam is described as a “death-ridden woman”
In addition, Miller periodically adds short essays for those reading the play.

ACT 1
There is a claustrophobic atmosphere in the small upstairs room. The smallness of the room in Parris’ house symbolises the narrow-mindedness of the community and, as a setting for different emotions let loose, helps to intensify the effect.

The scene is charged with fear, guilt, hate and envy.
There are many entrances and exits, which creates activity and the idea of the crucible as a melting pot- basic elements are mixed, heated to the point of an explosive force.

All the main characters make an appearance, except Danforth and Elizabeth. Nevertheless, the latter is introduced.
· How does Miller do this?
· Why do you think he does this?

Many petty disputes and animosities are shown which are important to an understanding of character motivations.
· Find at least one example.

The play opens in springtime.
· Traditionally, what does this time symbolise?
· Why does it seem ironic for sunlight to be streaming through the window?

COMMENT ON:
The Reverend Parris “prays”.
· Who for?
· Compare to Hale’s prayer at the end. How are they contrasted?

The Reverend Parris “weeps”. This shows confusion, a lack of strong personal convictions.

Tituba asks after Betty. This illustrates violence for the first time, verbal and physical.
· Examine the difference between Parris’ prayers to God and to Betty.

· Find examples of Parris’ growing self-centredness.

Parris questions Abigail about her name; this is the first reference of the kind. Abigail resents the fact that her name (her character) is being compromised.
· Do you think that she truly believes “There be no blush.”

· Identify how quickly Abigail’s defence becomes an attack.

The arrival of the Putnam’s signal an intensification of pressure on Parris, increases the threat to his security.
· Why do you think Parris does not tell the truth about what he knows happens?

· Examine the confrontation between Abigail and John.
(Note that in each Act, John is involved in emotionally charged scenes with women: Abigail in 1 & 3 and Elizabeth in 2 & 4.)


The first naming of another with malicious intent comes from Putnam.

Abigail “is enraptured, as though in a pearly light.”
· Is this true? Is she pretending?
She reaffirms what Tituba said, adds a new name for ‘proof’.
· Why is this commented on with “great relief”

· Comment on the stage direction “great glee”
· Why do you think Miller called this act an “overture”?

The call for irons brings the action into the community.