The Crucible Characters- Act One

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

Parris Look at the tone of “There be no…”p.18 “my enemies”. p19 Technique? “my own household is discovered to be the centre of some obscene practice” “my ministry’s at stake”p.20

Abigail Williams “strikingly beautiful”p.18 “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”p.20 Sentence structure: “She hates me uncle…”

Mr and Mrs Putnam “a twisted soul” Find evidence from page 21/9-10 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!” “full of breath, shiny-eyed” The claim is ridiculous but is accepted as fact What is Putnam’s grudge against Parris?

Abigail 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! P 30

John Proctor Look at Proctor’s first couple of speeches. Choose a quote which shows that he is straight talking and stern. “ No, no Abbey. That’s done with.” Flirting / giving mixed messages: ‘his smile widening, “Ah, you’re wicked yet, aren’t y!” ’ Look at the section starting ‘Abigail: I have a sense for heat…’ Find evidence of Proctor’s feelings for Abigail. “ I may think of you softly from time to time.” “But I will cut off my hand before I’ll reach for you again.”

Francis and Rebecca Nurse They fought a ‘land war’ with his neighbours Rebecca- “general opinion was so high…” 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? “I think she’ll wake in time.” “Silly season” “There is prodigious danger in the seeking of loose spirits.” pg 33 Voice of reason, sensible not taken in by claims of the devil and witchcraft.

Mr Hale An “eager-eyed intellectual” on “a beloved errand” Look at Hale’s first appearance. “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”

Old Giles “ The most comical hero” “A crank and a nuisance” Seems a comical character at this stage However he is “deeply innocent and brave”

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! Why does Abby choose this moment to begin her lie? What does she achieve by it?

Question Choose a play whose main theme is made clear early in the action Show how the dramatist introduces the theme (and discuss how effectively he or she goes on to develop it.) In your answer you must refer closely to the text and to at least two of theme, key scene(s), characterisation, language or any other appropriate feature

Summarise Make clear what this main theme is: Mass Hysteria Show how the play introduces this idea from the very start of the first act Show how this hysteria builds throughout the first act Choose quotes to back up your points Analyse these quotes, naming techniques used