English Literature Exam

The Crucible

Please make sure you have re-read the play.
Ask yourself questions about each of the characters.
John Proctor / Elizabeth Proctor / Giles Corey / Reverend Samuel Parris / Reverend John Hale / Judges Danforth and Hathorne / Abigail Williams / Mary Warren / Goody Ann Putnam ...

1     Do you understand the reasons why they act the way they do?
2     Do you understand how they feel about other characters and why?
3     Why do they fear the devil?
4     Why do they fear each other?
5     What led to the whole witch hunt anyway? Real reasons and made up ones.
6     How do the characters change over the course of the play and why?

Try one or more of these questions - spend about 45 minutes and remember to use quotes and this form:
P     Point
E     Evidence [quote / how you know what you said in your point]
E     Explain [what does the quote show]
D     Develop [write more]
L     Link to next paragraph

7     How is Salem affected by the witchcraft trials in The Crucible?
          [think about the community as a whole and individuals' lives, how they change and why.]
8     Write about the Putnams.
          [What part do they play in the story and why. What do you think of them and their actions?  
          Could the same things happen today?]
9     What do you think of Giles Corey?
          [Write about him as a character and as a man. To what extent does he deserve his fate?]
10    John Proctor is a victim not a villain. How far do you agree with this statement?
          [What kind of man is he? How do others view him? How does he see himself? Is he a hero or
          misguided? Do you admire him?]
11     See Question 10 and put another character's name there instead.
12     Abigail is an evil and vicious girl who is entirely to blame for the events in Salem.
          [Is she? Do you agree or do you sympathise with her at all? Give reasons for your opinions.]