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The CrucibleThe Crucible

by: Arthur Millerby: Arthur Miller

English 10 HEnglish 10 H

DramaDrama

�� (AKA play) a story that has been written (AKA play) a story that has been written

to be performed by actors for an audienceto be performed by actors for an audience

�� The story is told through the words and The story is told through the words and

actions of the characters.actions of the characters.

DialogueDialogue

�� The words that are spoken by the The words that are spoken by the

characters.characters.

�� DRAMA IS DRIVEN BY DIALOGUE!!!DRAMA IS DRIVEN BY DIALOGUE!!!

Stage DirectionsStage Directions

�� Instructions to help actors, directors, and Instructions to help actors, directors, and

readers visualize what is happening readers visualize what is happening

onstage.onstage.

�� Tell how characters should look, speak, Tell how characters should look, speak,

act, and move on the stage.act, and move on the stage.

Protagonist & AntagonistProtagonist & Antagonist

�� The The protagonistprotagonist is the character around is the character around

whom the action revolves.whom the action revolves.

�� The protagonist is usually in The protagonist is usually in conflictconflict with with

one or more one or more antagonistsantagonists..

Tragedy vs. ComedyTragedy vs. Comedy

�� Tragedy Tragedy –– a play in which the protagonist a play in which the protagonist

usually comes to an unhappy end.usually comes to an unhappy end.

�� Comedy Comedy –– a light, humorous play with a a light, humorous play with a

happy ending.happy ending.

CharactersCharacters

�� A cast of characters is listed at the beginning of A cast of characters is listed at the beginning of a a play.a a play.

�� A short description of the characters may be A short description of the characters may be included.included.

�� The playwright may further describe the The playwright may further describe the character when he or she first appears in the character when he or she first appears in the play.play.

�� The audience continues to learn about the The audience continues to learn about the characters through their actions and through the characters through their actions and through the dialogue.dialogue.

SettingSetting

�� The time and place in which the events of a play The time and place in which the events of a play occur.occur.

�� The setting often helps to create the The setting often helps to create the moodmood of of the play.the play.

�� Typically described at the beginning and Typically described at the beginning and throughout as the setting changes (act and throughout as the setting changes (act and scene changes)scene changes)

�� Setting can also affect the views expressed by Setting can also affect the views expressed by characters.characters.

PlotPlot

�� The series of related events that revolve around a central The series of related events that revolve around a central conflictconflict..

�� Conflict may be a struggle involving:Conflict may be a struggle involving:�� PeoplePeople

�� IdeasIdeas

�� ForcesForces

�� Plot typically develops in the following pattern:Plot typically develops in the following pattern:�� ExpositionExposition

�� Rising actionRising action

�� ClimaxClimax

�� Falling actionFalling action

�� ResolutionResolution

�� DenouementDenouement

DialogueDialogue

�� Conversation between the charactersConversation between the characters

�� Helps reveal the plot and character of the play.Helps reveal the plot and character of the play.

�� The author must speak through the charactersThe author must speak through the characters

�� As you read, decide which characters, if any, are As you read, decide which characters, if any, are

expressing the authorexpressing the author’’s real beliefs.s real beliefs.

Acts & ScenesActs & Scenes

�� They indicate a change in location or the They indicate a change in location or the

passage of time during a play.passage of time during a play.

�� ““Real timeReal time”” vs. vs. ““drama time.drama time.””

�� Action in a play may occur over a much Action in a play may occur over a much

longer period of time than the performance longer period of time than the performance

takes.takes.

Key Features of Miller’s Literary

Techniques

�� Other than dialogue, how else does Miller Other than dialogue, how else does Miller

provide background information and character provide background information and character

descriptions?descriptions?

� Authorial Intrusion

� In the Overture, he frequently interrupts the action in order to give the audience extra information, often information from Miller’s life or the audience’s current social experience. For example: when Proctor is introduced, Miller writes:

Authorial Intrusion

� “But as we shall see, the steady manner he displays does not spring from an untroubled soul…These people had no ritual for the washing away of sins. It is another trait we inherited from them, and it has helped to discipline us as well as to breed hypocrisy among us.”

Authorial Intrusion

� In addition, Miller’s sidebars offer his means of direct characterization.

� “He was the kind of man—powerful of body, even tempered, and not easily led—who cannot support to partisans without drawing their deepest resentment. In Proctor’s presence, a fool felt his foolishness instantly—and a Proctor is always marked for calumny therefore.”

As You Read As You Read The CrucibleThe Crucible

�� Who is the protagonist? Is there more Who is the protagonist? Is there more

than one?than one?

�� Who are the antagonists?Who are the antagonists?

�� What is the central conflict?What is the central conflict?

Arthur MillerArthur Miller

�� Born Born –– 19151915

�� Death of a SalesmanDeath of a Salesman receives Pulitzer Prize.receives Pulitzer Prize.

�� The Red Scare, fear of the spread of communism, took The Red Scare, fear of the spread of communism, took over the country. People in the entertainment industry over the country. People in the entertainment industry were targeted.were targeted.

�� MillerMiller’’s friend s friend EliaElia Kazan decides to confess and name Kazan decides to confess and name names during the McCarthy Trials.names during the McCarthy Trials.

�� Miller spends time in Salem, MA and writes Miller spends time in Salem, MA and writes The Crucible, The Crucible, which showcased on Broadway in 1953. The U.S. State which showcased on Broadway in 1953. The U.S. State Department refused to renew MillerDepartment refused to renew Miller’’s passport in order s passport in order to attend the Belgian production of the play in late 1953.to attend the Belgian production of the play in late 1953.

�� In 1956 Miller is called before the House UnIn 1956 Miller is called before the House Un--American American Activities Committee but refuses to confess or name Activities Committee but refuses to confess or name names. He is charged with contempt, fined, and names. He is charged with contempt, fined, and sentenced to jail. In 1958 his sentence is reversed.sentenced to jail. In 1958 his sentence is reversed.

Focus ActivityFocus Activity

�� Has your character ever been questioned? Has your character ever been questioned?

Or has someone you know or have heard Or has someone you know or have heard

aboutabout——perhaps even a character in a TV perhaps even a character in a TV

show or movieshow or movie——undergone a test of undergone a test of

character?character?

�� Create a flow chart to organize the details Create a flow chart to organize the details

of that personof that person’’s test of character.s test of character.

BackgroundBackground

The Time and PlaceThe Time and Place�� The CrucibleThe Crucible takes place in 1692 in and near Salem, a takes place in 1692 in and near Salem, a

small town in the Massachusetts Bay Colony that had small town in the Massachusetts Bay Colony that had been founded in the early 1600been founded in the early 1600’’s by a group of s by a group of Christians called Puritans.Christians called Puritans.

�� The Puritans had fled England for North America to The Puritans had fled England for North America to escape religious persecution and to establish a religious escape religious persecution and to establish a religious community.community.

�� As industry grew in Salem, many people did not share As industry grew in Salem, many people did not share the religious beliefs of the Puritan founders.the religious beliefs of the Puritan founders.

�� Many Puritans felt they were losing hold of their ideals.Many Puritans felt they were losing hold of their ideals.

�� Insecurity, frustration, and loss of control helped create Insecurity, frustration, and loss of control helped create a climate of guilt and blame.a climate of guilt and blame.

�� In the winter of 1691In the winter of 1691--1692, several teenage girls began 1692, several teenage girls began behaving strangely. This led to accusations of witchcraft behaving strangely. This led to accusations of witchcraft and the execution of 20 people.and the execution of 20 people.

About the TitleAbout the Title

�� Crucible Crucible –– a pot or vessel made from highly a pot or vessel made from highly heatheat--resistant material.resistant material.

�� Used for melting metals to test them for their Used for melting metals to test them for their purity.purity.

�� Used by chemists to conduct chemical reactions Used by chemists to conduct chemical reactions that require high heat.that require high heat.

�� Has also come to mean Has also come to mean –– ““a severe test,a severe test,”” or or ““a a place or situation in which concentrated forces place or situation in which concentrated forces interact to cause or influence change or interact to cause or influence change or development.development.””

Vocabulary: Act IVocabulary: Act I

�� compromise compromise –– v. to endanger the reputation or v. to endanger the reputation or interests of; to expose to suspicioninterests of; to expose to suspicion

�� contention contention –– n. verbal argument or struggle; n. verbal argument or struggle; quarrelingquarreling

�� subservient subservient –– adj. useful, in an inferior capacity, adj. useful, in an inferior capacity, to promote an end; submissiveto promote an end; submissive

�� nanaïïve ve –– adj. lacking knowledge of the ways of adj. lacking knowledge of the ways of the world; unsophisticated; innocentthe world; unsophisticated; innocent

�� pretense pretense –– n. a false show or appearance, n. a false show or appearance, especially for the purpose of deceiving; falsenessespecially for the purpose of deceiving; falseness

�� evade evade –– v. to escape or avoid, as by clevernessv. to escape or avoid, as by cleverness

An OvertureAn Overture

�� What is an overture?What is an overture?

�� An overture is a prelude, preview, or An overture is a prelude, preview, or

introduction to a large, dramatic musical introduction to a large, dramatic musical

work. It can suggest actions to come work. It can suggest actions to come

later. later.

�� Why is Act I called Why is Act I called ““An Overture?An Overture?””

Literary Elements: AtmosphereLiterary Elements: Atmosphere

�� What nouns describe the atmosphere at What nouns describe the atmosphere at

the very beginning?the very beginning?

�� fearfear

�� terrorterror

�� superstitionsuperstition

�� mysterymystery

Drawing ConclusionsDrawing Conclusions

�� What does the phrase What does the phrase ““an endless an endless capacity for dissemblingcapacity for dissembling”” tell us about tell us about Abigail?Abigail?

�� We should recognize that Abigail deceives We should recognize that Abigail deceives others.others.

�� We have to always question her reliability We have to always question her reliability and search for a hidden motive in her and search for a hidden motive in her words.words.

Dancing is BADDancing is BAD

�� The Puritans forbade activities that they The Puritans forbade activities that they

considered considered ““vainvain”” entertainment.entertainment.

�� DancingDancing

�� TheaterTheater

Literary Elements:Literary Elements:

SettingSetting

�� What function does the forest serve?What function does the forest serve?

�� The girls go there to hide their dancing.The girls go there to hide their dancing.

�� It also serves as an It also serves as an atmosphericalatmospherical

function.function.

�� To the Puritans, the forest was a wild, To the Puritans, the forest was a wild,

dark placedark place——the abode of heathens and the abode of heathens and

evil spirits.evil spirits.

ThemeTheme

�� The idea of a personThe idea of a person’’s good name will be s good name will be

a central theme to the play.a central theme to the play.

�� Abigail: Abigail: My name is good in the village! I My name is good in the village! I will not have it said my name is soiled?will not have it said my name is soiled?

Enter the Enter the PutnamsPutnams

�� What adjectives would you use to describe What adjectives would you use to describe

ParrisParris’’s attitude toward the s attitude toward the PutnamsPutnams..

�� He seems fearful, fawning, submissive, He seems fearful, fawning, submissive,

and groveling.and groveling.

�� The The PutnamsPutnams seem to have influence over seem to have influence over

people in Salem.people in Salem.

Thomas PutnamThomas Putnam

�� Miller considered Thomas Putnam one of Miller considered Thomas Putnam one of

the playthe play’’s principal villains.s principal villains.

�� He was vindictive, had many grievances He was vindictive, had many grievances

against his neighbors, and was involves in against his neighbors, and was involves in

disputes ownership of land.disputes ownership of land.

�� Seems to have played a key role in the Seems to have played a key role in the

accusations of witchcraft.accusations of witchcraft.

Reference, Reference,

�� ““the Devilthe Devil’’s touch is heavier than sick. Its touch is heavier than sick. It’’s s

death, death, yy’’knowknow, it, it’’s death s death drivindrivin’’ into them. into them.

Forked and hoofed.Forked and hoofed.””

�� These are references to the traditional These are references to the traditional

Puritan view that represents the devil as a Puritan view that represents the devil as a

creature with a forked tail and cloven creature with a forked tail and cloven

hoofs.hoofs.

Cultural NoteCultural Note

�� Superstition holds that sneezing might Superstition holds that sneezing might

indicate that a possessed person was indicate that a possessed person was

expelling demons through the nose.expelling demons through the nose.

�� This might be the origin of the practice of This might be the origin of the practice of

saying saying ““God bless you!God bless you!””

AbigailAbigail

�� Describe the change in AbigailDescribe the change in Abigail’’s behavior s behavior after the adults leave.after the adults leave.

�� She reveals a cruel side to her nature in She reveals a cruel side to her nature in the way she treats the other girls. With the way she treats the other girls. With the adults gone, Abigail is able to become the adults gone, Abigail is able to become the dominant personality and reveal her the dominant personality and reveal her true nature.true nature.

�� Is her attitude here believable? Why or Is her attitude here believable? Why or why not?why not?


Figurative LanguageFigurative Language

�� ““What a grand What a grand peepingpeeping courage you courage you have!have!””

�� Double meaning:Double meaning:

�� The act of looking cautiously or sneakily.The act of looking cautiously or sneakily.

�� The weak sound of a newborn bird, The weak sound of a newborn bird, especially a chicken.especially a chicken.

�� This is an example of scorn for Mary This is an example of scorn for Mary WarrenWarren’’s courage.s courage.

PREDICTPREDICT

�� ““You drank a charm to kill John ProctorYou drank a charm to kill John Proctor’’s s wife! You drank a charm to kill Goody wife! You drank a charm to kill Goody Proctor.Proctor.””

�� Why might Abigail want John ProctorWhy might Abigail want John Proctor’’s s wife dead?wife dead?

�� Revenge over being fired.Revenge over being fired.

�� Revenge about rumors being spread.Revenge about rumors being spread.

�� Romantic notions towards John Proctor.Romantic notions towards John Proctor.


CharacterizationCharacterization�� ““Let either of you breathe a word, or the edge of Let either of you breathe a word, or the edge of a word, about the other things, and I will come a word, about the other things, and I will come to you in the black of some terrible night and I to you in the black of some terrible night and I will bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder will bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder you.you.””

�� What do AbigailWhat do Abigail’’s threats toward the other girls s threats toward the other girls reveal about her character?reveal about her character?

�� She has witnessed the brutal murder of her She has witnessed the brutal murder of her parents and suggests that she is, herself, parents and suggests that she is, herself, capable of violence.capable of violence.

DialogueDialogue

�� Notice the difference in what names are Notice the difference in what names are

used in the dialogue.used in the dialogue.

�� Mr. Proctor vs. JohnMr. Proctor vs. John

�� Abigail vs. AbbyAbigail vs. Abby

�� What does this reveal about relationships What does this reveal about relationships

in the play?in the play?

EvaluateEvaluate

�� Evaluate the offhand way Abigail describes Evaluate the offhand way Abigail describes

events to Proctor in light of what we know about events to Proctor in light of what we know about

her character.her character.

�� She illustrates her ability to adapt her manner to She illustrates her ability to adapt her manner to

suit a situation. With her uncle, she feigns suit a situation. With her uncle, she feigns

concern and righteous indignation. With the concern and righteous indignation. With the

girls, she is domineering and cruel. With girls, she is domineering and cruel. With

Proctor, she is coy and seductive.Proctor, she is coy and seductive.

PlotPlot

�� What is revealed about the central conflict in the What is revealed about the central conflict in the conversation between Abigail and John Proctor?conversation between Abigail and John Proctor?

�� The conflict between Abigail and Mrs. Proctor: The conflict between Abigail and Mrs. Proctor: AbigailAbigail’’s motivation is now known. There was a s motivation is now known. There was a romantic link between her and John, which is romantic link between her and John, which is why Mrs. Proctor dismissed her. Abigail believes why Mrs. Proctor dismissed her. Abigail believes John loves her. Mrs. ProctorJohn loves her. Mrs. Proctor’’s death would clear s death would clear the way for marriage between them. the way for marriage between them.

�� The conflict between Abigail and John: He The conflict between Abigail and John: He denies that he ever gave her reason to believe denies that he ever gave her reason to believe there was hope for marriage.there was hope for marriage.

Literary ElementsLiterary Elements

CharacterCharacter

�� Analyze how the Analyze how the PutnamsPutnams differ from Proctor differ from Proctor

and Rebecca on the issue of witchcraft. Tell and Rebecca on the issue of witchcraft. Tell

them to support their conclusions with specific them to support their conclusions with specific

dialogue references.dialogue references.

�� The The PutnamsPutnams seem determined to prove that seem determined to prove that

witchcraft is afoot. Proctor and Rebecca believe witchcraft is afoot. Proctor and Rebecca believe

there is a natural explanation for the childrenthere is a natural explanation for the children’’s s

behavior.behavior.

Think CriticallyThink Critically

�� Why might Ann Putnam hate Rebecca Why might Ann Putnam hate Rebecca Nurse?Nurse?

�� Ann already has mentioned that she has Ann already has mentioned that she has lost seven babies in infancy. Now her only lost seven babies in infancy. Now her only surviving child is behaving strangely and is surviving child is behaving strangely and is ill. Rebecca has 11 children and 26 ill. Rebecca has 11 children and 26 grandchildren, all of whom seem to be grandchildren, all of whom seem to be healthy.healthy.

CharacterizationCharacterization

�� Notice how Proctor is very vocal about his Notice how Proctor is very vocal about his displeasure with Parrisdispleasure with Parris’’s actions, but allows s actions, but allows Rebecca to silence him. What does this show Rebecca to silence him. What does this show about Proctorabout Proctor’’s character? Rebecca Nurse?s character? Rebecca Nurse?

�� Proctor does not defer to fools. His reaction Proctor does not defer to fools. His reaction clearly reveals that he respects her. clearly reveals that he respects her.

�� The fact that a man like Proctor will defer to her The fact that a man like Proctor will defer to her is testament to her wisdom and strength of is testament to her wisdom and strength of character.character.

�� Rebecca is the Rebecca is the ““voice of reasonvoice of reason”” in the play.in the play.

IronyIrony

�� Parris: Parris: I do not preach for children, Rebecca. It I do not preach for children, Rebecca. It is not the children who are unmindful of their is not the children who are unmindful of their obligation toward this ministry.obligation toward this ministry.

�� Parris has little understanding of children and Parris has little understanding of children and sees no reason to instruct them, yet it is the sees no reason to instruct them, yet it is the young girls who are trying to commune with the young girls who are trying to commune with the devil. In an effort to conceal their misbehavior, devil. In an effort to conceal their misbehavior, they set in motion events that will wreak havoc they set in motion events that will wreak havoc on Salem.on Salem.

SummarySummary

�� Summarize the argument between Parris and Summarize the argument between Parris and

Proctor.Proctor.

�� Parris argues that the authority of the church is Parris argues that the authority of the church is

supreme. Church members must obey the supreme. Church members must obey the

pastor or chaos will ensue. Proctor argues that pastor or chaos will ensue. Proctor argues that

individual conscience is the final authority. individual conscience is the final authority.

Every church member has the right to say what Every church member has the right to say what

he believes.he believes.

Acts & ScenesActs & Scenes

�� In the absence of scenes, the appearance of a In the absence of scenes, the appearance of a

new character may indicate a shift in focus. new character may indicate a shift in focus.

Predict what Mr. HalePredict what Mr. Hale’’s arrival means.s arrival means.

�� From previous references to this character, we From previous references to this character, we

should recognize that he is an expert on should recognize that he is an expert on

witchcraft. His arrival signals a shift from the witchcraft. His arrival signals a shift from the

arguments over practical matters to the subject arguments over practical matters to the subject

of witchcraft.of witchcraft.

Confession of WitchcraftConfession of Witchcraft

�� Who is guilty in the play?Who is guilty in the play?

�� Ann Putnam actually is the one responsible for Ann Putnam actually is the one responsible for her daughterher daughter’’s trying to conjure spirits. She has s trying to conjure spirits. She has just confessed to the crime of which others will just confessed to the crime of which others will be accused. Rebecca Nurse is appalled, be accused. Rebecca Nurse is appalled, especially by the fact that Ann sent a child to do especially by the fact that Ann sent a child to do this.this.

�� Why is she not charged???Why is she not charged???

IronyIrony

�� Parris: Parris: ““Why would he choose my house to strike? We Why would he choose my house to strike? We have all manner of licentious people in the village!have all manner of licentious people in the village!””

�� Hale: Hale: ““It is the best the Devil wants, and who is better It is the best the Devil wants, and who is better than the minister?than the minister?””

�� What is ironic here?What is ironic here?

�� Parris asks why the devil would choose his house when Parris asks why the devil would choose his house when there are so many less worthy people in Salem. He does there are so many less worthy people in Salem. He does not recognize this own lack of good character. Halenot recognize this own lack of good character. Hale’’s s question assumes that the minister must be the best question assumes that the minister must be the best person in the village, an assumption at odds with the person in the village, an assumption at odds with the facts.facts.

Thinking CriticallyThinking Critically

�� Who is the first person to name specific Who is the first person to name specific

individuals? What can you infer from this?individuals? What can you infer from this?

�� Thomas Putnam is the first. Sarah Good Thomas Putnam is the first. Sarah Good

and and OsburnOsburn are people whom the are people whom the

PutnamsPutnams do not like or against whom the do not like or against whom the

PutnamsPutnams have grievances.have grievances.

IronyIrony

�� Hale: You are GodHale: You are God’’s instrument put in our s instrument put in our hands to discover the Devilhands to discover the Devil’’s agents among us. s agents among us. You are selected, You are selected, TitubaTituba, you are chosen to help , you are chosen to help us cleanse our village.us cleanse our village.

�� Identify the irony.Identify the irony.

�� He tells He tells TitubaTituba that she is Godthat she is God’’s instrument s instrument doing his work and helping cleanse the village. doing his work and helping cleanse the village. In reality, he is persuading her to make false In reality, he is persuading her to make false accusations of witchcraft against innocent accusations of witchcraft against innocent people.people.

Responding to LiteratureResponding to Literature

Question #1Question #1

�� What is Reverend Parris praying about at What is Reverend Parris praying about at

the beginning of act 1? What else might the beginning of act 1? What else might

explain why he is praying so desperately?explain why he is praying so desperately?

�� Reverend Parris is praying for the recovery Reverend Parris is praying for the recovery

of his daughter. He also might be praying of his daughter. He also might be praying

because of his fears of an accusation of because of his fears of an accusation of

witchcraft.witchcraft.


Question #2Question #2�� What reasons does Abigail give Parris for her What reasons does Abigail give Parris for her discharge as the Proctorsdischarge as the Proctors’’ servant? What might servant? What might be another reason? What can you infer about be another reason? What can you infer about AbigailAbigail’’s character from her words?s character from her words?

�� Abigail says that Mrs. Proctor is a cold, lying Abigail says that Mrs. Proctor is a cold, lying woman and Abigail refused to be her slave. woman and Abigail refused to be her slave. Another reason might be that Mrs. Proctor Another reason might be that Mrs. Proctor suspected a romantic involvement between suspected a romantic involvement between Abigail and her husband. We can infer that Abigail and her husband. We can infer that Abigail does not always tell the truth and that Abigail does not always tell the truth and that she seems to be a vindictive person.she seems to be a vindictive person.


Question #3Question #3�� Describe the feelings the characters have toward each Describe the feelings the characters have toward each

other: the other: the PutnamsPutnams toward John Proctor and Rebecca toward John Proctor and Rebecca Nurse, Proctor toward the Nurse, Proctor toward the PutnamsPutnams and Parris, and and Parris, and Parris toward the congregation. What effect might these Parris toward the congregation. What effect might these feelings have on the future action of the play?feelings have on the future action of the play?

�� PutnamsPutnams’’ feelings might include hatred, fear, feelings might include hatred, fear, resentment, and jealousy. Proctorresentment, and jealousy. Proctor’’s feelings toward the s feelings toward the PutnamsPutnams and Parris might include contempt, distrust, and Parris might include contempt, distrust, and dislike. Parrisand dislike. Parris’’s feelings toward the congregation s feelings toward the congregation might include resentment, anger, and fear. These might include resentment, anger, and fear. These feelings could create a dispute with Proctor and Nurse feelings could create a dispute with Proctor and Nurse against the against the PutnamsPutnams and Parris, or lead to accusations and Parris, or lead to accusations against Proctor and Nurse.against Proctor and Nurse.



�� How does How does TitubaTituba first respond to Halefirst respond to Hale’’s s accusation of witchcraft? How does she change accusation of witchcraft? How does she change her response? Why might she, as well as Abigail her response? Why might she, as well as Abigail and Betty, make accusations at the end of act 1?and Betty, make accusations at the end of act 1?

�� At first At first TitubaTituba denies any dealings with the devil. denies any dealings with the devil. She later says that the devil tempted her and She later says that the devil tempted her and showed her others who were in his service. showed her others who were in his service. They might hope to avoid punishment by They might hope to avoid punishment by accusing others.accusing others.


Question #5Question #5�� Which character or characters arouse your Which character or characters arouse your sympathy most? Explain.sympathy most? Explain.

�� Proctor?Proctor?

�� Parris?Parris?

�� Abigail?Abigail?

�� Mrs. Proctor?Mrs. Proctor?

�� Ann Putnam?Ann Putnam?

�� Betty?Betty?

�� TitubaTituba??



�� What is the overall What is the overall atmosphereatmosphere, or , or prevailing mood, of act 1? How does prevailing mood, of act 1? How does Miller create this atmosphere?Miller create this atmosphere?

�� Terror, suspense, mystery, tension.Terror, suspense, mystery, tension.

�� Miller creates the atmosphere through the Miller creates the atmosphere through the fears expressed by the characters or fears expressed by the characters or through the underlying tension and through the underlying tension and mistrust that runs through the dialogue.mistrust that runs through the dialogue.



�� Is MillerIs Miller’’s portrayal of the teenage girls s portrayal of the teenage girls

and their behavior believable? Why or and their behavior believable? Why or

why not?why not?



�� What similarities do you see between the What similarities do you see between the

interactions among the interactions among the SalemitesSalemites of 1692 of 1692

and interactions among people today?and interactions among people today?

Literature GroupsLiterature Groups

�� In a group, work together to create In a group, work together to create

character webs that profile each character character webs that profile each character

in act 1. Include the characterin act 1. Include the character’’s age, s age,

personality traits, standing in the personality traits, standing in the

community, and conflicts with others. community, and conflicts with others.

Then, as a group, predict the role each Then, as a group, predict the role each

character will play in this drama. Share character will play in this drama. Share

your predictions with the class.your predictions with the class.

Literature Groups ContinuedLiterature Groups Continued

�� Imagine the play begins seven months Imagine the play begins seven months

earlier. Write an original scene describing earlier. Write an original scene describing

AbigailAbigail’’s dismissal from the Proctor farm. s dismissal from the Proctor farm.

Try to include a private conversation Try to include a private conversation

between John and Elizabeth prior to the between John and Elizabeth prior to the

confrontation between Elizabeth and confrontation between Elizabeth and

Abigail. Abigail.

�� BONUS POINTS: Perform the scene for BONUS POINTS: Perform the scene for

the class.the class.

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