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Read the following passage from The Crucible by Arthur Miller and answer the questions that follow.

Passage:
(Act 2, Scene 2)

Elizabeth Proctor:

“I have no doubt you’ll come to the court with me, and you will be a good man, John Proctor. It’s not easy to make the right decision, but you will. I know it.”

John Proctor:

“I’ll think on it.”

Elizabeth Proctor:

“Think on it! Think on it! But I’ll tell you now, you may do it, you may not, but you have to get out of this house, you have to get out and fight. You can’t just sit here. They’re tearing you apart, John.”

STANDARD: RL2

Which of the following best describes the central theme of the passage?
*
5 points
The consequences of neglecting personal responsibility
The tension between loyalty and personal integrity
The inevitability of personal sacrifice for the greater good
The struggle between love and betrayal
STANDARD: RL3

Which line from the passage best illustrates Elizabeth's frustration with John's inaction?
*
5 points
"I’ll think on it."
"I have no doubt you’ll come to the court with me."
"Think on it! Think on it!"
"You may do it, you may not, but you have to get out of this house."
STANDARD: RL4

What does Elizabeth Proctor mean when she says, "You can’t just sit here. They’re tearing you apart, John"?
*
5 points
She believes John is physically weak and needs to act for his own well-being.
She is urging John to confront his internal struggle and take action to protect himself.
She wants him to leave her and their home to go fight for justice.
She fears John’s reputation is being damaged by inaction.
STANDARD: RL5

Which of the following literary devices is used in the line, "Think on it! Think on it!"?
*
5 points
Personification
Irony
Allusion
Repetition
STANDARD: RL6

What can be inferred about John Proctor’s internal conflict from this passage?
*
5 points
He is eager to act, but does not want to upset his wife.
He is ready to take action, but doubts his wife’s ability to help him.
He is uncertain about how to balance his desire for personal safety with his moral duty.
He is more concerned about public perception than his own integrity.

1 answer

Here are the answers to the questions based on the provided passage from The Crucible:

  1. Which of the following best describes the central theme of the passage?
    Answer: The tension between loyalty and personal integrity.
    This theme is evident as Elizabeth urges John to act for what is right, highlighting the conflict between his loyalty to his family and the need to uphold his moral values.

  2. Which line from the passage best illustrates Elizabeth's frustration with John's inaction?
    Answer: "Think on it! Think on it!"
    This line underscores her impatience and desperation for him to take action rather than just ponder it.

  3. What does Elizabeth Proctor mean when she says, "You can’t just sit here. They’re tearing you apart, John"?
    Answer: She is urging John to confront his internal struggle and take action to protect himself.
    Elizabeth is expressing that John’s inaction is having a detrimental effect on him, urging him to engage in the fight against the injustice happening around them.

  4. Which of the following literary devices is used in the line, "Think on it! Think on it!"?
    Answer: Repetition.
    The phrase uses repetition for emphasis on her frustration and insistence that he must consider taking action.

  5. What can be inferred about John Proctor’s internal conflict from this passage?
    Answer: He is uncertain about how to balance his desire for personal safety with his moral duty.
    John's hesitance reflects a struggle between his fear of repercussions and the moral obligation he feels to stand up against the injustices occurring.

These answers provide insight into the characters' motivations and the larger themes at play in the excerpt.