AP English Crucible Act 1 Questions PDF

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AP English Language December 3, 2016 The Crucible : Act 1 Questions 1. What is the etymology of the word “hysteria”? The word “hysteria” originally represented a psychological term, intended to describe a disease exclusive to women that manifested itself in fainting episodes, moodiness, and promiscuity. However, current psychologists have abandoned the term in favor of more specific diagnosis, and “hysteria” as a disease has been dismissed. Now, its current colloquial usage as “ungovernable emotional excess” has adapted to often partially represent ominous fear and panic - and not exclusively in terms of women. 2. Look up the actual definition for the word “hysteria” and determine which relates most effectively to The Crucible. The definition “Psychoanalysis. a psychoneurotic disorder characterized by violent or emotional outbreaks, disturbances of sensory and motor functions,and various abnormal effects due to autosuggestion” relates most effectively to The Crucible. The events of the play are largely due to the blaming of multiple women’s displacement of sexuality and their divergence from traditional societal roles as a diagnosable medical disorder, which this definition describes. It was not simply an “emotional” reaction - women were said to have the Devil inside of them. 3. What are some examples of “hysteria” from our culture or society. Unfortunately, “hysteria” has been an integral part of American society from the beginning (as evidenced by the inspiration behind The Crucible) . Widespread fear of groups of people has happened repeatedly over the broad history of the United States, highlighted during the abolitionist movement (lynching of African-Americans and freed slaves), World War II (Japanese internment camps), and the severe avoidance of communism (boycotting and persecution of Russian-Americans) following World War II. In current times, Islamophobia brought on by the constant fear of terrorism seems to be the “hysteria” of the moment. 4. Explain how the word “hysteria” relates to The Crucible. Use evidence from the text to support your response. Hysteria, originally intended to reference a disease, is an apt descriptor of the overall nature of The Crucible. It seems that the more people accuse others of witchcraft, the easier it is to assume things, and more and more fear is incited - and that spreads across town like wildfire. For instance, Tituba, at the conclusion of Act I, begins to name people to save herself, and Abigail notices her do so. She then follows suit, and all the other girls do the same - the suspicion of witchcraft exponential spread, just as literal diseases can multiply.

5. Considering the number of characters he does comment on in the Overture, explain why Miller chose not to comment on Abigail. Miller could have chosen not to comment on Abagail because he wanted her actions as a character to speak for themselves. He also could have intended for the reader to draw their own conclusions about her

nature instead of directly stating them himself - which can create a sense of anticipation and mystery, which further builds up the overall theme of The Crucible: suspicion and distrust. 6. Critique Miller’s use of the Overture to not only introduce his characters, but also to convey his theme. Miller uses the Overture to both introduce his characters and convey the overall theme of distrust and hysteria. He traces over the Puritans’ combination of beliefs that combined and manifested themselves into the terrible events and distrust of the Witch Trials. 7. Explain the irony in the following statement: “So now they and their church found it necessary to deny any other sect its freedom, lest their New Jerusalem be defiled and corrupted by wrong and deceitful ideas.” The Puritans left England as a result of the religious persecution they suffered at the hands of others, yet they came to the New World and proceeded to apply the same overpowering nature they escaped from on those who lived in America. It’s ironic how they were forced to leave their home for the same reason they are denying religious freedom to others. 8. Explain how the witch-hunt years were a time of “general revenge.” The witch-hunt years were a time of “general revenge” because of the ease associated with accusing someone of witchcraft. Anyone could point a finger at anyone as a witch, and because of this people exacted their old harbored grudges by revenge-accusing people. 9. Explain the political relationship between the Putnam and Nurse families. The Putnam and Nurse families do not have a good public relationship due to a land ownership dispute regarding the borders of their respective properties. 10. The setting of The Crucible is Salem, Massachusetts, in the year 1692. Someone once said of the Puritans that they did not leave Europe because they were persecuted, but that they were thrown out of Europe because they persecuted everyone else. As you read the opening of Act I, how do you suppose Miller would respond to that statement? I think that Miller would generally agree with that statement. His depiction of a strict, traditional Salem and the Puritan’s extreme adherence to values - as well as their later actions - tell of a society that is inherently restrictive in itself. Although the Puritans did experience religious persecution in Europe, perhaps they did so for a reason, and left for the same one. 11.

What purpose does the Overture serve?

The overture serves as an introduction to many of the characters and as a opening comparison of the Puritans’ lifestyle and history to that of America in the 1950s. It provides an effective foreshadowing into the parallels Miller will subtlety draw in The Crucible from events from long ago in America’s history to his present (the 50s).

12. Identify the literary device in the following quote and explain its significance. “There are wheels within wheels in this village and fires within fires.” This quote utilizes the principle of both hyperbole and personification. Mrs. Putnam says this quote in a heated conversation with Rebecca. She is talking about how the supernatural may have played a part in her losing all but one of her children - as it is “...God’s work that I [she] should never lose a child”. She is saying that there are hidden motivations behind everything that happens (“wheels within wheels”, “fires within fires”), and that the unexplainable events that were happening could be a result of rumors being spread. 13. Giles says, “Think on it now, it’s a deep thing, and dark as a pit.” To what is he referring literally and symbolically? Giles is referring to the “pit” of distrust and “witchcraft” the town of Salem may be falling into. He literally means that they are slipping down a dark slope, but also that the thoughts and rumors that are spreading are dark and ominous. 14. About what do Putnam and Proctor argue? What does this show? Putnam and Proctor argue about their respective rights to the forest (lumber) and their ownership of land. Putnam reveals his greed and motivation to constantly take more and more during their confrontation. 15. One of Miller's major subjects in the play is the nature of authority. How are each of the following characters linked with the idea of authority in Act One? ● Samuel Parris – ● Thomas Putnam – ● Rebecca Nurse – 16. How would you describe the atmosphere or mood at the end of this act? What might this atmosphere foreshadow about future events in the town of Salem? The atmosphere of the town of Salem at the end of Act I can be described as ominous, accusatory, and fearful. With the girls beginning to name names, it foreshadows the possible increasing suspicion and accusement of other people of witchcraft and the overall fearful nature of the town. 17. What Puritan primary fear is apparent in the philosophy, “In unity still lay the best promise of safety”? The Puritans’ primary fear, showcased in the philosoph above, was their wariness of the Native Americans and animals that inhabited the land around their settlements. The Puritans viewed them as a constant danger to their ordered society. In order to survive the constant possible threat posed by the Natives and the unknown, the Puritans believed they needed to live in an extremely tight-knit and close society to ensure their best chance of survival. 18.

Explain the significance of the forest to the Puritans.

The forest represented the unknown to the Puritans. It was the literal embodiment of their extreme fear of the “savage” Native Americans and the dangerous animals that they hadn’t seen before in their previous lives in England. 19.  Explain the irony in the Puritans’ pilgrimage to Salem to escape persecution. The Puritans came to Salem to escape religious persecution, but when they arrived in the New World they themselves did not offer any religious freedom or divergence from their strict ideals. Their hypocritical nature was evident in how anyone that slightly strayed from their extreme and boxed societal views was violently punished. 20. To what twentieth century situation is Miller referring when he declares: “They believed, in short, that they held in their steady hands the candle that would light the world. We have inherited this belief, and it has helped and hurt us.” In the above quote, Miller is referring to 20th century Americans, who he claims believed that they were superior to the rest of the world. He thinks that that their arrogance both aided them - as they were very advanced and acted as an independent country - but also often got them into arguments and tense situations with other countries who didn’t share the same ideology as them. 21. Based on his words, what seems to be Parris’s motivation for inadvertently causing the hysteria? It seems as though Parris’ sole motivation in life was to keep his place within the church. This is evident when one examines the quotes: “There is a faction sworn to drive me from my pulpit,” and “They will howl me out of Salem for such corruption in my house”. 22. Identify the literary device in the following quote and explain its significance. “I know that you—you least of all, Thomas, would ever wish so disastrous a charge laid upon me.”

23. In terms of indirect characterization, why is it significant that Hale recognizes one of the characters by reputation? Hale recognizes Rebecca and says she looks, “… as such a good soul should.” This shows Rebecca’s reputation as a pure and “good” person, and displays to the reader her assumed characterization (as judged by her peers)....