Motivation
Characters (just like people) act according to motivation. Whether that motivation stems
from an internal desire or from an external pressure, there is always a motivating factor – or a
combination of them. As we continue to read The Crucible, we will look at what motivates the
characters to do what they do. We do not have to agree with or condone his or her action to
understand why they did what they did.
In Act I of The Crucible, ____________ is motivated by ___________.This is seen when
_________ (describe/quote). Explain Quote. He/she is also motivated by ___________. This
can be inferred from ___________ (describe/quote). Explain Quote. Ultimately, his/her
motivations stem from ____________ (the extent to which society influences this character
influence – how much are they motivated by internal (his or her personality or desires) or
external influences (social pressures)).
The above frame/directions should be applied to three characters: Abigail, John, Parris,
or Hale. Please complete a paragraph for each for a total of three paragraphs. You want to keep
these with you after I have checked them off as they will help you study and understand the play
and why characters do what they do. It will also help us understand Miller’s use of characters as
part of his extended metaphor.
Example: In Act I of The Crucible, Betty is motivated, in part, by a fear of Abigail. This is seen
when Abigail goes to comfort Betty after Parris has left but she “darts off the bed, frightened of
Abigail and flattens herself against the wall” (1244). By having her “flatten herself,” Miller
shows visually how much Betty wants to get away from the person she fears: Abigail. She is also
motivated by a desire to be accepted by Abigail. This can be inferred from the end of Act I, as
the accusations start to fly. As Abigail is accusing, “Betty [rises] from the bed” and begins to
accuse people as well (1262). Ultimately, her motivations stem from a combination of the
internal desire to be part of what Abigail can offer and the external pressure that Abigail might
bring her a “pointy reckoning” if she tells on her.
I have underlined the part of the sentences that complete the sentence frame prompts. I
have italicized the sentences that explain the quote (explaining a quote moves a paragraph from
summary to analysis).