The Crucible
Character Analysis Essay
A narrative is like a journey. Its destination is always a message or set of messages that the writer is trying
to convey (these messages are called themes). The road is comprised of two major lanes: characterization
and plot. The writer develops his characters and the conflict(s) they endure in such a way as to lead readers
to his theme(s).
Basically, authors use characters and plot to send a message. What happens to the characters directly
supports the author’s message.
You will be writing a character analysis. This type of essay explores who a character is and what message
is being sent through that character.
Both major and minor characters can serve to illustrate important themes. The following characters are
especially well developed and contribute to especially important themes.
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John Proctor (protagonist/tragic hero)
Abigail Williams (antagonist)
Choose a character, and ask:
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What choice does this character make that teaches us something?
What is the outcome of that choice?
What lesson does his choice and its outcome teach?
What is it about this character that leads him/her to make that choice?
o What are his/her key character traits?
o What does he/she believe?
o What does he/she value?
For example:
John Hale

Choice: Once he realizes that the girls are lying and the court is wrong, Reverend Hale chooses to
denounce the court, and he tries to stop the witch trials and help the people who have been
accused. He does this even though he had previously supported the witch trials. It is a very painful
choice for him to make, as he must admit to himself and everyone else that he played a part in the
deaths of innocent people.
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Outcome: Hale helps stop the witch trials in another town (Andover). The atmosphere in Salem
changes, and people begin to question the trials.
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Lesson: A wise man is willing to change his mind and admit when he has been wrong.
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Character Traits/Beliefs: Hale is intelligent, honest, wise, and godly. He believes it is more
important to uphold truth and justice than it is to save face, maintain power, or always be “right.”
Steps for Success:
1.
Start with a Thesis.
a. Reverend Hale shows that a wise man is able to change his mind.
2.
Develop your Topic Sentences.
a. Main Idea One: Reverend Hale is honest and wise.
b. Main Idea Two: Reverend Hale believes in truth and justice above all else.
c. Main Idea Three: Because of these traits, Reverend Hale is able to change his mind and
admit that he was wrong.
3.
Find Text Evidence to support your Topic Sentences.
4.
Write your Body Paragraphs.
a. Start with the first Topic Sentence.
b. Introduce your Text Evidence.
c. Explain how that Text Evidence helps prove the Topic Sentence.
d.
Write two more body paragraphs using your second and third Topic Sentences.
5.
Write your Introduction.
a. Suggestions for your Hook:
i. Comment about the subject matter of the Thesis (wisdom and/or changing your
mind).
ii. Make the subject matter personal; show how this topic is familiar and/or
meaningful for everyone.
iii. Begin with background information about the author. Make sure you cite your
sources and include them in the Works Cited page.
iv. Give some background information about the play.
b. Mention the author and title of the work, and make a smooth Transition (state how the
hook is connected to the thesis).
c. End the paragraph with your Thesis.
6.
Write your Conclusion.
a. Synthesize, don’t summarize! Show how the Main Ideas fit together to prove the Thesis.
i. Do not copy and paste.
ii. Re-word these ideas in a fresh, interesting, and concise manner.
iii. Do NOT make any new claims or introduce any new evidence in the conclusion!
b. Broaden Out. You must answer the question, “So what?” Why should anyone care?
i. Point to broader implications. For example, how should a reader act or think
now that he/she has read your essay? What can someone learn from this essay?
How can the ideas in this essay help solve a problem? Help your reader apply
your information and ideas to his/her own life.
ii. Cool Trick -- Return to the ideas you presented in your Hook. Human beings
like things to come full circle. It makes everything seem unified and complete.
For example, if you began by describing a scenario, you can end with the same
scenario and discuss how your essay is helpful in creating a new understanding.
You may also create the “full circle effect” by using key words, concepts, and
images that you used in the introduction.