1. Higher English The Crucible
Easter Revision
Higher English The Crucible

2. Choosing the Question
Sometimes pupils who have studied really hard fall at the final hurdle by choosing the wrong question.
You will have 4 drama options (and a couple of these questions may have choices within them also).
If you have studied hard, you should be able to answer more than one. However, you also need to be able to recognize which questions you should avoid.

3. Common Errors
Rushing to begin without thinking through if the question is suitable.
Not reading the question carefully enough and therefore failing to answer it. The second sentence of the question is VERY important.
Answering the question you wish was there!
Not knowing the meaning of a word in the question but trying to answer it anyway!

4. The following questions have come up in the exam over the years have been divided into: RED – not appropriate/very difficult to argue AMBER – requires a little bit of thinking but can be done GREEN – great questions you should already have thought about/done.
As part of your revision, you should plan and write essays for the suitable questions.

5. 2009 – Question 1
Choose a play in which a central character behaves in an obsessive manner. Describe the nature of the character’s obsessive behaviour and discuss the influence this behaviour has on your understanding of the character in the play as a whole.

6. Comment- Red
This is not a great one. You could twist to say that Proctor is obsessed with keeping his secret, but this would be pushing it a little.

7. 2009 – Question 2
Choose a play which you feel is made particularly effective by features of structure such as: dramatic opening, exposition, flashback, contrast, turning- point, climax, anti-climax, denouement…
Show how one or more than one structural feature employed by the dramatist adds to the impact of the play.

8. Green/Amber
This looks really hard but actually you can write about the climax and what makes it so effective.
Structurally it is very good as the action moves from the whole village at the start of the play to focus on one flawed character and his decision.

9. 2009 – Question 3
Choose from a play a scene which significantly changes your view of a character. Explain how the scene prompts this reappraisal and discuss how important it is to your understanding of the character in the play as a whole.

10. Green/Amber
You could obviously pick the confession scene at the end of the play where you come to admire Proctor despite his faults. You could argue that up till now he has been arrogant, hypocritical, bad tempered and a coward.

11. 2009 – Question 4
Choose a play set in a society whose values conflict with those of a central character or characters. Describe this difference of values and discuss how effectively the opposition of values enhances your appreciation of the play as a whole.

12. Green
This is Proctor as an individual against his society. You should be prepared for this one!

13. Question 1 Choose a play in which a character makes a brave decision.
Briefly explain the circumstances which lead up to the decision and then discuss how it affects your views of the character.

14. Q1 – GREEN!!
This is a very good question and the most obvious choice would be Proctor’s decision in Act 4 to rip up the confession.

15. Question 2
Choose a play whose main theme you feel is important to you personally.
Show how the dramatist explores the theme and discuss to what extent the play influenced your views.

16. Q2- GREEN!!!
This question may seem like it does not fit, but actually it is a really good one! The themes of standing up for what you believe in and not handing over your conscience to others are both universal themes which are personal to all of us.

17. Question 3
Choose from a play a scene in which one character makes an accusation against another character.
Explain the dramatic importance of the scene and discuss how it affects your sympathy for either or both of the characters.

18. Q3: AMBER
This question is good if you know Act 3 very well. You will have to look at when Proctor denounces Abigail as a liar. The scene is also crucially important as Proctor openly challenges the authority of the court (and by extension, the theocracy) and as a result ends up in jail. You can feel sympathy for one or both of them.

19. Question 4
Choose from a play a scene in which you felt totally involved (either as an audience member at a performance, or as a reader).
Show how the skilI of the dramatist or of those making the performance caused you to be so involved.

20. Question 4 - AMBER
Make sure you choose that you felt involved as a reader not as an audience member. I know we watched the film but that doesn’t count! This is simply your key scene question so you should focus on Proctor’s struggle to make a decision in Act 4.
We have already done a question on key scene – the only difference is that you need to make it clear why you are so involved as a reader. This should include such points as you feel enormous sympathy for Proctor (making it clear why his decision was so difficult). You could also say that you feel the scene effectively explored the central theme of integrity.

21. Question 5
Choose from a play a scene in which the conflict between two characters is at its most intense.
Outline briefly the reasons for the conflict and then by examining the scene in detail, show how it gave you a deeper appreciation of the play as a whole.

22. Q5-GREEN!!
This is a great question and you can either look at the courtroom scene in Act 3 (with a focus on Proctor v Abigail or Proctor v Danforth) or when Proctor and Danforth are in conflict in Act 4.
Remember to link conflict to individual v society.

23. Question 6
Choose a play whose main theme concerns one of the following: power, corruption, disillusionment.
Explain how the dramatist introduces the theme and discuss to what extent you found the way it is explored in the play enhanced your understanding of the theme.

24. Q6- GREEN You could choose any one of the three to answer.
If power, the focus will be the tension between the power of the theocracy and the growing power of the individual. This is represented in Proctor, but you would also include other characters. (e.g. the girls dancing in the woods is a mark of rebellion, the fighting in the community, etc)
If corruption, you should focus on the corruption of the theocracy/ court.
If disillusionment, you could focus on Proctor’s disillusionment with Parris, with himself and the disillusionment of people with the court/ the theocracy.

25. Question 7
Choose a play in which the main character is at odds with one or more than one of the people around him or her.
Show how the dramatist makes you aware of the character's situation and discuss to what extent this led to a greater understanding of the concerns of the play.

26. Q7 – GREEN!!
This is a great question. You would focus on Proctor and his relationship with Parris /Danforth / Abigail / Elizabeth / the COURT.
At the start he is at odds with himself and his relationship with his wife is frosty and his dislike of Parris is also evident
Soon he comes to be at odds with Danforth as he challenges the court. (he is also at odds with Abigail here).
However at the end of the play, he listens to his conscience and makes peace with himself and Elizabeth. He is no longer at odds with himself.
Just be careful not to list who he is at odds with- remember to link all ideas to key line of thought – individual v society

27. Question 8
Choose a play in which a character feels increasingly isolated from the community in which he or she lives.
Show how the dramatist makes you aware of the character's increasing isolation and discuss how it affects your attitude to the character.

28. Q8- AMBER
This is a fairly good question. You can point out that Proctor is already a bit isolated at the start – farm 5 miles away, not often in town (Abigail!), has little respect for Parris.
He is also isolated by his secret guilt. He is isolated from his wife.
He becomes more isolated as he does not come forward quickly enough. Then in court, he speaks out against the court and ends up in jail. By the end he is isolated from the theocracy BUT reconciled with Elizabeth and dies with his friends.

29. Question 9
Choose a play in which the dramatist explores conflict between opposing values or ideas.
Show how the dramatist makes you aware of the conflict and discuss the extent to which you find the resolution of the conflict satisfying.

30. Q9- GREEN
This is a great question, you would look at the conflict between the theocratic society which expected everyone to conform and the individual.
Remember to focus on the resolution of the conflict in Act 4 and explain what Miller is saying by choosing to end in this way.

31. Question 10
Choose a play in which there is a scene which provides a clear turning point in the drama.
Explain why it is a turning point and go on to discuss the importance of the scene to your appreciation of the play as a whole.

32. Q10- GREEN
You could choose ACT 3 when Proctor comes to court and admits the truth, only for Elizabeth to lie for him, Proctor to be imprisoned and Hale to quit the court.
Or you could choose Proctor’s decision to rip up the confession. Even though this is almost the very end of the play, it is still an important turning point (as the epilogue reveals).

33. Question 11
Choose a play in which there is a breakdown in family relationship(s).
Explain the reason(s) for the breakdown and discuss the extent to which it is important to the play as a whole.

34. Introduction
TAGLS- Breakdown of relationship is very important in the play. Elizabeth and Proctor.
Summary- Affair ended seven months before play begins. Things still very frosty between P and E. Both trying to make things better. P ashamed of himself and lives in a society where sin is not forgiven. Affair is a secret and is a catalyst for the trials as Abigail and her friends are caught dancing in the woods making potions and casting spells.

35. Section 1
Proctor’s reluctance to come forward early to denounce the girls’ cry of witchcraft is influenced by his feelings for Elizabeth and Abigail.
Does not want to shame himself/ Elizabeth/ trying to put the past behind them- flowers/romance/seasoning/compliments.
However, their relationship is further tested when he refuses to come forward, despite E’s pleas- E thinks he still cares for A. Has to admit on own with A.
Also reluctant to come forward as he is a proud man.

36. Section 2
Elizabeth’s arrest on suspicion of witchcraft is orchestrated by Abigail in Act 2 and finally prompts Proctor to come forward.
Tries to get Mary to denounce A. Still reluctant to lose his good name.
“either with this court of against it” / invisible evidence. Proctor does admit to affair and E called.
Tries to discredit A- ironically, E lies for him because she loves him so much she would not see him shamed.
Proctor then denounces the court – this leads to him going to jail.

37. Section 3
The reconciliation between P and E helps him to find the strength in Act 4 to do what is right.
Proctor has terrible dilemma.
Danforth and Parris try to use E to persuade P to confess.
E won’t tell him what to – and both admit to past faults. Being forgiven by E allows him to forgive himself and therefore find the strength to follow his conscience.

38. Conclusion
In conclusion, the breakdown of the relationship between E and P does have an important role in the play. It is through reconciliation with E that P eventually reconciles with himself and finds the strength and courage to stand up to the corrupt court and theocratic society. It is very fitting that the last words of the play, “He have his goodness now”, are spoken by Elizabeth as the play champions the individual and individual relationships over the power of the state.

39. Q11- AMBER
Not the best question. You would have to argue that the breakdown in Proctor and Elizabeth’s relationship is important to the play as it happens because of his affair. This affair is the catalyst for the trials. It is Elizabeth’s arrest that prompt Proctor to finally come forward and their reconciliation at the end that gives Proctor the courage to do what is right.

40. Question 12
Choose a play in which your attitude to a central character varies at different stages of the action.
Show how the skill of the dramatist causes your attitude to change.

41. Q12-AMBER
Obviously this is about Proctor. You can have sympathy for him at the start and even admire his “sharp and biting way with hypocrites” and his criticisms of Parris. You can see him as a hypocrite and a coward when he does not come forward and then tries to force Mary to speak out against the trials. Finally you can come to admire him as a brave man, who has his flaws but does the right thing.

42. QUESTION 13
Choose a play in which the dramatist explores the idea of rebellion against authority.
Explain briefly the circumstances which give rise to the rebellion and discuss how successfully you think the dramatist explores the idea.

43. Q13- GREEN
This is a great question as it is central to the play. The play is about the individual v the state and even from the outset there are signs that the people of Salem are not the “dedicated folk” who built the village. The witch trials begin because the girls are rebelling against authority. Proctor rebels against the authority of the church as he despises Parris and he then (with others) rebels against the authority of the court by refusing to lie to save his life (and by extension, the theocracy).

44. Question 14
Choose a play in which there is a scene involving intense emotion.
Show how the dramatist makes you aware of the intensity of the emotion in the scene and discuss the importance of the scene to the drama as a whole.

45. Q14- GREEN
this would suit Act 4 - scene where Proctor has to decide what to do. You need to develop what makes it so emotional – relationship with Elizabeth, attitude of Hale, Rebecca Nurse’s bravery, Proctor’s terrible dilemma. Proctor’s incredibly emotional speech “because it is my name..”

46. Question 15 Choose a play which you have watched in performance.
Compare your reading of a key scene with its presentation in performance.

47. Q15- RED
You cannot do this question as we have not been to see a performance of the play and the answer would have to focus on lighting/ staging etc. You will fail on relevance if you choose this question.

48. Question 16
Choose a play in which the dramatist creates a sense of mystery at or near the beginning of the play.
Show how the dramatist creates the sense of mystery and then discuss to what extent the resolution of the mystery is important to the play as a whole.

49. Q16- RED
This is not a good question. There is no real sense of mystery at the start of the play. Yes, two girls seem to be bewitched, but very early on, Abigail admits the truth of this event and the rest of the play focuses on the hysteria and the exploitation of the court for private vengeance.

50. Question 17
Choose a play in which the mood is mainly dark or pessimistic.
Show how the dramatist creates this mood and discuss how appropriate it is to the main idea(s) of the play.

51. Q17-AMBER
Not an easy question, but you could argue that the mood is dark thanks to the hysteria and witch trials. Most of your answer will focus on the key theme- the tension between the theocracy and the individual. It will also follow a similar structure, just make sure that you get the key words in. e.g. “at the start of the play the mood is dark because…(one girl appears ill/fears of witchcraft / tension and division in community). Then go onto show how the mood develops (courtroom scene / act 4). You could make the point though that although the ending seems sad, and the fate of some characters is tragic, the fact that Proctor regains his pride is not really a pessimistic moment. Elizabeth is right to refuse to plead with him and the last words of the play show that “he has his goodness now”.

52. Next…
You should now look at the following questions and decide whether they are red, amber or green.
Use these questions as practice for your exams.

53. 2011
Choose a play in which a character feels insecure about his or her position within the society or social group to which he or she belongs.
Show how the dramatist makes you aware of the character’s insecurity and discuss how it influences your appreciation of character and/or theme in the play as a whole.

54. Choose from a play a scene in which manipulation, temptation or humiliation is an important feature.
Explain what happens in the scene and go on to show how the outcome of the manipulation, temptation or humiliation adds to your appreciation of the play as a whole.

55. Choose a play in which the dramatist creates tension at the beginning or at the end.
Explain how the tension is created and discuss how it contributes to an effective introduction or conclusion to the play.

56. Choose a play in which a power struggle is central to the action.
Explain briefly the circumstances of the power struggle and discuss the extent to which it contributes to your appreciation of theme and/or character in the play as a whole.

57. 2010
Choose a play in which a central concern is clarified by the contrast between two characters.
Discuss how the dramatist’s presentation of the contrast between the two characters adds to your understanding of this central concern.

58. Choose a play in which a central character experiences not only inner conflict but also conflict with one (or more than one) other character.
Explain the nature of both conflicts and discuss which one you consider to be more important in terms of character development and/or dramatic impact.

59. Choose from a play a scene in which tension builds to a climax.
Explain how the dramatist creates and develops this tension, and discuss the extent to which the scene has thematic as well as dramatic significance.

60. Choose a play which explores one of the following as a central concern: sacrifice, courage, integrity, steadfastness of purpose.
Show how the dramatist introduces and develops the central concern in a way which you find effective.

61. 2008
Choose a play in which a central character is heroic yet vulnerable.
Show how the dramatist makes you aware of both qualities and discuss how they affect your response to the character’s fate in the play as a whole.

62. Choose a play which explores the theme of love in difficult circumstances.
Explain how the dramatist introduces the theme and discuss how in the course of the play he/she prepares you for the resolution of the drama.

63. Choose from a play a scene in which an important truth is revealed.
Briefly explain what the important truth is and assess the significance of its revelation to your understanding of theme or character.

64. Choose a play in which a character has to exist in a hostile environment.
Briefly describe the environment and discuss the extent to which it influences your response to the character’s behaviour and to the outcome of the play.

65. 2007
Choose a play which has a theme of revenge or betrayal or sacrifice.
Show how the dramatist explores your chosen theme and discuss how this treatment enhances your appreciation of the play as a whole.

66. Choose from a play an important scene which you found particularly entertaining or particularly shocking.
Explain briefly why the scene is important to the play as a whole and discuss in detail how the dramatist makes the scene so entertaining or shocking.

67. Choose a play in which a character makes a crucial error.
Explain what the error is and discuss to what extent it is important to your understanding of the character’s situation in the play as a whole.

68. Choose a play in which the relationship between a male and a female character changes significantly.
Show how the relationship between the two characters changes and discuss to what extent this illuminates a central idea of the play.