The Crucible
Structure & Language
“The Crucible”
WALT:
Understanding the structure and language of “The
Crucible”.
WILF:
•Explore the language and structure of “The Crucible”.
•Understand the language and structure in a historical, social
and theatrical context.
Puritans - Recap
What was life like in Salem, 1692? List 3 things that
were forbidden.
Why had the Puritans left England?
How were women expected to conduct themselves?
Structure
• Linear structure spanning Spring-Autumn, 1692
• Follow the action from first whispers of unnatural
events to the execution of John Proctor.
•This allows us to see how tension levels and hysteria
rise and drive towards our inevitable conclusion.
Structure
ACT ONE – “An Overture”
• Hints that this act is, although melodramatic, the calm before
the storm
•Background info on characters and conflicts within Salem
•Tension builds, the search for proof
•Climax as Tituba “confesses” leading Abigail and Betty to accuse
others.
Structure
ACT TWO
• Intimate setting, uneasy relationship between John & Elizabeth
•Tension is heightened as Elizabeth is accused
•Climax when Elizabeth is arrested
•As the action is more intimate we feel empathy for the
characters
Structure
ACT THREE
• Life or death struggle between reason and superstition
•Our hopes are raised and dashed, it’s an emotional
rollercoaster!
•Crucial point (climax) where John admits adultery, sacrificing
himself
•Tables are turned, our hopes are dashed again when Elizabeth
lies.
•MW’s attempts to recant are defeated,we see how convincing
the girls are
Structure
ACT FOUR
• Growth of Proctor into noble, heroic character
•Once confident, proud Hale reduced to begging Elizabeth to get
John to lie
•Twist when JP confesses then recants
•Strength of relationship between J & E. Adds to tragedy and our
feelings of empathy.
•Calmer, slightly slower pace although we are always aware the
sun is rising and time is running out.
Language
•Language we can understand but also gives a sense of
historical context of the play’s setting.
• Lang. of 17th century heavily influenced by Latin
• Lang. in The Crucible is not exactly the same as that
spoken at the time
Unique phrases – “Goody”, “he have”
 Double negatives – “I never said no such thing”
Inverted sentence structure – “What think you?”
 Language influenced by the Bible – “where she
walks the crowd will part like the sea for Israel”
HOMEWORK TASKS
1.
Make note of what you feel is a high moment of tension
(the climax) in Act 1, 2, 3, 4? Choose one of these
moments and explain how you might stage it.
2.
Complete the example sheet at the end of the
Language & Structure booklet. Give examples of unique
phrases, double negatives, inverted sentences and
language influenced by the Bible. Also, explain the
impact of the language.