The Crucible Act I

Atmosphere Tense, suspenseful atmosphere Setting = melancholy mood Small upper bedroom in Parris’s house Simple furnishings Narrow window Betty is lying inert; Parris is distraught

Modes of Discourse Interweaves exposition about events that have happened before the play begins Girls’ activities in the forest Abigail’s relationship with the Proctors Expository asides Relevant historical facts about the characters Summarizes important features of the Puritan’s world Theocracy in Salem Attitude toward the forest as the last outpost of the Devil

Act I Reading Check Mrs. Putnam says that Mr. Collins saw Betty ---- over Ingersoll’s barn. Mary Warren is afraid that she and the other girls will be ----. Abigail says that she will ---- anyone who reveals what happened in the woods. ---- is the only one able to comfort Betty. The Reverend Parris demands that he be given his ----.

Character Notecards Samuel Parris Village minister Weak man who claims authority Concerned about his social status Obsessed with his enemies theme of community paranoia or hysteria Hypocrite Carries favor with Thomas Putnam and John Hale

Character Notecards Create notecards for the following characters: Abigail Williams Thomas and Ann Putnam Rebecca Nurse John Proctor John Hale

Journal Response How is Abigail responsible for starting the whole scare about witches in Salem? Is she lying? Insane? Possessed? If Abigail had not been caught dancing, would the witch trials still have been held? What makes you think so? Or do you think someone else is to blame?

Character Analysis

Activity Act One introduces many of the important characters of the play. Your job is to create character flashcards. On the blank side of the card, please write the names of the following characters. On the lined side of each card, please include important details about the character as well as important page numbers that you can refer to at a later date.

Reverend Samuel Parris Village minister of Salem; mid 40s Main concern is his reputation and status in the community Motivation= suspicion and paranoia

Abigail Williams 17 year-old orphan Niece of Rev. Parris Strikingly beautiful and resourceful Chief force of evil Motivation=villainy

Ann Putnam Thomas Putnam Husband of Ann Motivation- longstanding grudges against others Ill-natured bully- throws around his weight as a major landowner Wife of Thomas 45 year-old Whining and irrational 7 children died in infancy Sees witchcraft as the only explanation for her misfortune

Reverend John Hale Nearing 40, Minister of Beverly, Mass. Approaches religious matters from a scientific perspective intellectual Lacks malicious motivations & obsessions Sincere but limited by his narrow-mindedness

John Proctor Farmer in his mid-30s Husband to Elizabeth, father of 3 sons Tragic Hero….what is his flaw? Main protagonist and moral center Honest, blunt, and direct Skeptical towards organized religion Flawed and respectable

Francis & Rebecca Nurse Elderly man, husband to Rebecca Arbiter Held in high opinion by most Resented for his rise in social status…renting farmer  landowner Previous disputes with the Putnams 72; 11 children, 26 grandchildren Calming influence, voice of reason Name= maternal, dignified, and competent