1. Warm-Up Characterization: Proctor and Elizabeth Homework
“The Crucible” Act II
Warm-Up
Characterization: Proctor and Elizabeth
Homework

2. Warm – Up ENDURING UNDERSTANDING:
Great literature provides rich and timeless insights into key themes, dilemmas, and challenges we still face today.
ESSENTIAL QUIESTIONS:
How does Miller use characterization in ACT I to define Abigail and John Proctor?
What is a literary foil?
How would you describe the relationship between Proctor and Elizabeth in Act II? What predictions can you make about what will happen next?

3. Characterization Proctor and his women
Reread the scene in which Elizabeth and Proctor are alone for the first time.
In pairs, complete the charts provided.

4. The Proctor Household
Eight days have passed. Things have moved on in Salem.
The stage directions and dialogue establish this as a domestic setting.
The talk is of planting, children and dinner
In some ways they both seem happy:
Elizabeth “blushing with pleasure”.
Proctor “Lilacs is the smell of nightfall...Massachusetts is a beauty in the spring”.

5. Characterization Proctor and his women
As we watch the scene, keep in mind the different interpretations discussed.
What choices does the director make? Why might this be?

6. Act II continued… Take note of the great changes occurring in Salem.
Who is accused in Act II? Why?

7. Group Reading
Read pages 167 (middle of Proctor’s last line) – page 174 (Giles’ appearance at the doorway)
Mary Warren
Proctor
Elizabeth
Hale
As a group, summarize the reading together on one sheet of paper. Be sure to include all group member’s names

8. Homework
Finish Reading Act II

9. Warm-Up Text Quiz Act II Discussion and Questions Homework
“The Crucible” Act II
Warm-Up
Text Quiz
Act II Discussion and Questions
Homework

10. Warm – Up ENDURING UNDERSTANDING:
Great literature provides rich and timeless insights into key themes, dilemmas, and challenges we still face today.
ESSENTIAL QUIESTIONS:
How does Miller use characterization in ACT I to define Abigail and John Proctor?
What is a literary foil?
Are you surprised by the reactions in ACT II? Explain how each character has changed since ACT I.
Proctor
Mary Warren
Hale
Putnam

11. Text Quiz

12. The Crucible
Act Two
"The little crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom and common vengeance writes the law!”
Answer the questions on a separate sheet of paper while we move through the PowerPoint. Questions are due at the end of class.

13. Tension
1. What do the following quotes suggest about the Proctor’s relationship?
Proctor “Learn charity, woman...an everlasting funeral marches round your heart”- p.58
Judgement- Proctor says that he feels that his house has become a courtroom where he is judged.
Elizabeth replies that the judgement is in his heart.

14. Mary Warren
2. How has Mary Warren changed since the opening of the play?
Mary seems to have convinced herself that she is telling the truth.
“I feel a clamp around my neck...I hear a voice, a screamin' voice”
Mary has made a doll for Elizabeth
Mary stands up to Proctor
Mary says that Elizabeth was mentioned but that she saved her.

15. Proctor and Elizabeth Proctor is disturbed by Mary’s report of events
Elizabeth realizes the seriousness: “She want’s me dead.”
3. Who wants here dead and more importantly why?

16. Hale
“there is a quality of deference, even of guilt about his manner now”
4. What does this stage direction tell us about Mr Hale?
He Questions the Proctors about not visiting church and their son not having been baptised.
Hale: “No – no, I come of my own…your wife’s name is – mentioned in the court”
5. What does Miller do to show Hale’s uncertainty?
Think about sentence structure and use of punctuation

17. Hale Continued Proctor criticises Parris (tone)
“it tells me that a minister may pray to God without he have golden candlesticks upon the altar.”
Hale makes him recite the ten commandments- Proctor forgets the one about adultery
“Theology, sir, is a fortress; no crack in a fortress may be accounted small” Hale pg 65

18. Rebecca's charged!
It is the charging of Rebecca Nurse that makes the Proctors realize how out of hand the situation has become
And which cause doubts in Hale's mind
But he convinces himself the court is right: “No man may longer doubt the powers of the dark are gathered in monstrous attack upon this village” (Millier, 1952, 68).

19. Accusing Abigail
Miller provides various points in the play where he suggests that things might be brought under control.
“I know the children's sickness had naught to do with witchcraft” (Miller, 1952, 72).
Hale seems shocked but Proctor convinces him by his honesty and with flattery, “such a steadyminded minister as you”

20. Homework Writing Prompt:
In at least a paragraph, make a prediction about Abigail and John now that Elizabeth has been accused. What will Abigail do? How will John react to his wife’s arrest?