The Crucible

ACT 1 Plot

Reverand Parris’s daughter, Betty falls ill after being caught dancing in the woods. Fearing witchcraft, the town panics. Abigail Williams and other girls start accusing townspeople to deflect blame from themselves.

ACT 1 Themes

Hysteria, reputation, power of accusation

ACT 2 Plot

John and Elizabeth Proctor’s strained marriage is tested as Elizabeth is accused of witchcraft. Mary Warren, their servant, is involved in the accusations. John decides to challenge the court.

ACT 2 Themes

Integrity, Trust, Manipulation

Act 3 Plot

In court, Proctor tries to prove the girls are lying. Abigail manipulates the court. Mary turns on Proctor, and he is arrested after confessing to adultry

Act 3 Themes

Justice vs corruption, power, hysteria

ACT 4 Plot

Salem is in chaos. Proctor is urged to confess to save his life but chooses integrity and is executed. Abigail flees town.

ACT 4 Themes

Integrity, redemption, the cost of conscience

ABIGAIL WILLIAMS

former servant of the Proctors and leader of the girls making witchcraft accusations

TRAITS - Manipulative, Vengeful, Charismatic

REVERAND PARRIS

Minister of Salem’s church who cares more about his social status than truth

TRAITS - Paranoid, Self-interested, Power Hungry

TIRUBA

Reverend Paris’s enslaved servant from Barbados who confesses to witchcraft and accuses others.

TRAITS - Vulnerable, Imaginative, Survivor

THOMAS PUTNAM

Wealthy land owner who uses witch trials to settle personal issues and gain land by accusing rivals.

TRAITS - Greedy, Vindictive, Influential

JOHN PROCTOR

Local farmer and protagonist with a strong sense of justice.

TRAITS - Cautious, Reasonable, Dignified

GILES COREY

Elderly farmer who refuses to plead guilty or innocent to protect his sons, dying by pressing.

TRAITS - Brave, Concerned, Outspoken

REBECCA NURSE

Respected elderly woman known for her calm nature who is unjustly accused and executed for witchcraft.

TRAITS - Honest, Calm, Selfless

ELIZABETH PROCTOR

Loyal wife and mother who struggles forgiving her husband John after his affair

TRAITS - Moral, Forgiving, Reserved

MARY WARREN

Proctor’s maidservant who joins the accusers before attempting to tell truth, only to fall to pressure

TRAITS - Weak, Afraid, Confused

REVERAND HALE

Well-educated expert on witchcraft who investigates the accusations but later tries saving the falsely accused

TRAITS - Intellectual, Conflicted, Compassionate

JUDGE DANFORTH

Deputy Governor who presides over witch trials and becomes a symbol of authority

TRAITS - Arrogant, Authoritative, Self-righteous

JUDGE HAWTHORNE

Salem judge who presides over witch trials determined to convict the accused

TRAITS - Arrogant, Unforgiving, Authoritative

Internal Conflict

A struggle that takes place within a characters mind or heart, involving their own desires, beliefs, or emotions

External Conflict

A struggle between a character and an outside force such as another person, society, or nature

Themes of The Crucible

FEAR - how fear can lead people to make irrational decisions

INTEGRITY - struggle with maintaining their reputation in the face of justice

POWER AND AUTHORITY - misuse of power by those in charge leads to suffering

Why did Arthur Miller write The Crucible

To show how fear and suspicion can lead to unfair treatment of innocent people. He made a connection between the Salem Witch Trials and the way people were accused of being communists in the 1950’s. Miller wanted to warn people about how quickly fear can spread and cause harm.

IRONY

When something happens that is the opposite of what is expected, or when words are used in a way that means the opposite of their usual meaning. It often highlights a surprising or amusing difference between appearance and reality.

*John Proctor prevents the commandments against adultery. ( Act 2)

*Elizabeth Proctor lies to protect John, not knowing he has already confessed. (Act 3)