The Crucible Characterisation- Act One

Reverend Parris “evidently in prayer” “evidently in prayer” “seems about to weep” “seems about to weep” Look at his early dialogue. How does Miller use these things to convey his state of mind? Look at his early dialogue. How does Miller use these things to convey his state of mind? Sentence structure Sentence structure Word choice Word choice Stage directions Stage directions What does he seem to be worried about? What does he seem to be worried about?

Parris Look at the tone of “There be no…” Look at the tone of “There be no…” “my enemies”. Technique? “my enemies”. Technique? “my own household is discovered to be the centre of some obscene practice” “my own household is discovered to be the centre of some obscene practice” “my ministry’s at stake” “my ministry’s at stake”

Abigail Williams “strikingly beautiful” “strikingly beautiful” “an endless capacity for dissembling”: putting on a false appearance, deceiving “an endless capacity for dissembling”: putting on a false appearance, deceiving Manages to withstand her uncle’s interrogation: “There is nothin’ more. I swear it, uncle” Manages to withstand her uncle’s interrogation: “There is nothin’ more. I swear it, uncle” Sentence structure: “She hates me uncle…” Sentence structure: “She hates me uncle…”

Mr and Mrs Putnam “a twisted soul” Find evidence from page 21/ that she enjoys gossiping and causing trouble “Why, it’s sure she did. Mr Collins saw her goin’ over Ingersoll’s barn, and come down light as a bird, he says!” Tone? The claim is ridiculous but is accepted as fact What is Putnam’s grudge against Parris?

Marry Warren Described as ‘subservient, naïve’ and ‘lonely’ Described as ‘subservient, naïve’ and ‘lonely’ Initially horrified by turn of events. Initially horrified by turn of events. ‘they’ll be callin’ us witches!’ ‘they’ll be callin’ us witches!’ ‘We must tell the truth Abby! You’ll only be whipped for dancin’, and the other things!’ ‘We must tell the truth Abby! You’ll only be whipped for dancin’, and the other things!’ Stage directions - ‘she can barely speak for embarrassment and fear.’ (pg 27) Stage directions - ‘she can barely speak for embarrassment and fear.’ (pg 27)

Abigail – What does this speech show us about her character? Look at the speech on pages 26-7 Look at the speech on pages 26-7 I look for John Proctor that took me from my sleep and put knowledge in my heart! I never knew what pretense Salem was, I never knew the lying lessons I was taught by all these Christian women and their covenanted men! And now you bid me tear the light out of my eyes? I will not, I cannot! You loved me, John Proctor, and whatever sin it is, you love me yet! I look for John Proctor that took me from my sleep and put knowledge in my heart! I never knew what pretense Salem was, I never knew the lying lessons I was taught by all these Christian women and their covenanted men! And now you bid me tear the light out of my eyes? I will not, I cannot! You loved me, John Proctor, and whatever sin it is, you love me yet!

John Proctor Look at Proctor’s first couple of speeches. Choose a quote which shows that he is straight talking and stern. Look at Proctor’s first couple of speeches. Choose a quote which shows that he is straight talking and stern. Look at the section starting ‘Abigail: I have a sense for heat…’ Find evidence of Proctor’s feelings for Abigail. Look at the section starting ‘Abigail: I have a sense for heat…’ Find evidence of Proctor’s feelings for Abigail.

Francis and Rebecca Nurse They fought a ‘land war’ with his neighbours They fought a ‘land war’ with his neighbours Rebecca- “general opinion was so high…” Rebecca- “general opinion was so high…” Look at Rebecca’s first speech. Look at Rebecca’s first speech. How does her word choice show her attitude to Ruth’s illness and the hysteria of some of the other characters? How does her word choice show her attitude to Ruth’s illness and the hysteria of some of the other characters?

Mr John Hale An “eager-eyed intellectual” on “a beloved errand” An “eager-eyed intellectual” on “a beloved errand” Look at Hale’s first appearance. Look at Hale’s first appearance. “they are weighed down with authority”. “they are weighed down with authority”. His initial thoughts seem reasoned and sensible: “We cannot look to superstition in this. The Devil is precise; the marks of his presence are as definite as stone” His initial thoughts seem reasoned and sensible: “We cannot look to superstition in this. The Devil is precise; the marks of his presence are as definite as stone”

Old Giles “ The most comical hero” “ The most comical hero” “A crank and a nuisance” “A crank and a nuisance” Seems a comical character and if things were to be reasonable his nonsense would be discounted completely. Seems a comical character and if things were to be reasonable his nonsense would be discounted completely.

Abigail I want to open myself!... I want the light of God, I want the sweet love of Jesus! I danced for the Devil; I saw him, I wrote in his book; I go back to Jesus; I kiss His hand. I saw Sarah Good with the Devil! I saw Goody Osburn with the Devil! I saw Bridget Bishop with the Devil! I want to open myself!... I want the light of God, I want the sweet love of Jesus! I danced for the Devil; I saw him, I wrote in his book; I go back to Jesus; I kiss His hand. I saw Sarah Good with the Devil! I saw Goody Osburn with the Devil! I saw Bridget Bishop with the Devil! Why does Abigail behave like this at this point? What does she achieve? Why does Abigail behave like this at this point? What does she achieve?