1. from The Crucible Introducing the Drama
Drama by Arthur Miller
Introducing the Drama
with
Literary Analysis: Conventions of Drama
Reading Skill: Draw Conclusions About Characters
Vocabulary in Context
VIDEO TRAILER

2. INTRODUCING THE DRAMA
What fuels a MOB?
Visualize a mob of people rampaging through the streets, whipped into a frenzy by hysteria.
The fear, anger, and panic produced by hysteria can make otherwise reasonable people do irrational things.

3. INTRODUCING THE DRAMA
What fuels a MOB?
In The Crucible, for example, the hysteria created by the Salem witch trials makes neighbor turn against neighbor.

4. INTRODUCING THE DRAMA
What fuels a MOB?
DISCUSS
What makes people act as a mob? What are some of the results of mob action?
Think about news reports or historical accounts of mobs that you’ve come across.
In a small group, discuss what caused these mobs to form and how they behaved.
Mob marching, Little Rock, Arkansas, 1959

5. Click on the title to play the trailer.
from The Crucible

6. Conventions of Drama
Drama is literature in play form. It is meant to be performed and seen.
However, an understanding of dramatic conventions can help you picture the performance when you read a script.

7. Conventions of Drama
As you read The Crucible, be aware of these drama conventions:
Stage directions, which Miller uses not only to describe settings and characters but also to provide historical background in the form of expository mini-essays
Dialogue, the lifeblood of drama, which moves the plot forward and reveals character traits

8. Conventions of Drama
Types of characters—heroes, villains, and foils—which Miller uses to heighten the tension of his drama
Plot, which is driven by conflict that builds throughout each act

9. Draw Conclusions About Characters
Characters in drama reveal their personality traits through their words and actions.
The descriptions in the stage directions can also provide insight into these characters.

10. Draw Conclusions About Characters
As you read The Crucible, draw conclusions about the play’s main characters. Record important traits and the evidence that reveals these traits in a chart like the one shown. Be sure to add characters to the chart as you encounter them.
Abigail Williams
John Proctor
Reverend John Hale
Traits
proud
assertive
Evidence
Motivation
resentment
pride

11. Describe character traits
adamant
anarchy
contentious
corroborate
deference
immaculate
imperceptible
iniquity
subservient
Arthur Miller uses the vocabulary words in the box on the right to help convey the atmosphere of the Salem witch trials. Place them in the following categories: words that describe character traits, words that describe actions, and words that are concepts.
Describe character traits
Describe actions
Are concepts

12. adamant adj. immovable, especially in opposing something
anarchy n. condition of lawlessness and disorder, often due to lack of governmental authority
contentious adj. quarrelsome
corroborate v. to support with evidence
deference n. respect and honor due to a superior or elder
immaculate adj. without stain; pure

13. imperceptible adj. extremely slight; barely noticeable
iniquity n. wickedness
subservient adj. acting like a servant