“The Crucible”
Generic Critical Essay Plan 2
-John Proctor (Act 1 and 2 combined)
Important: this is an example of how you could structure a critical essay on “The Crucible”,
focusing on John Proctor.
This plan should be altered and/or adapted according to the specific essay question that you
are answering!
Main Body Paragraph 1: Combine Act One and Act Two
Focus on the events of Act One in the first part of your paragraph
Important things you could discuss:
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Explain how John Proctor’s self-hatred is made clear from the very beginning. (1)
Explain why he has such a low opinion of himself. (1)
Explain the reasons why he wishes to redeem himself. (1)
Explain the reasons why Proctor rejects Abigail and what this reveals about him (2)
Explain how the themes of redemption and reputation are conveyed through Proctor.
(1) and (2).
Recommended quotes to choose from:
1. “He is a sinner…not only against the moral fashion of the time, but against his own vision
of decent conduct”
or
“respected and even feared in Salem…has come to regard himself as a kind of fraud”.
OR
2. “I will cut off my hand before I’ll ever reach for you again. Wipe it out of mind. We never
touched, Abby”.
Focus on the events of Act Two in the second part of your paragraph
Important things you could discuss:
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Explain clearly why Proctor is reluctant to go to court and what this reveals about him (1)
Explain why this is a crucial error and how it has serious consequences (1)
Explain how Proctor places his reputation ahead of redemption here (1)
Explain the reasons why Proctor changes his mind about going to court (2)
Explain why his decision to go to court is an important step towards redemption (2)
Explain why he decides to take Mary to court and what this reveals about him (2)
Explain how the themes of redemption and reputation are conveyed through Proctor.
(1) and (2).
Recommended quotes to choose from:
1. “If the girl’s a saint now, I think it is not easy to prove she’s a fraud”.
OR
2. “I will fall like an ocean on that court! Fear nothing, Elizabeth”.
Main Body Paragraph 2: Focus on the events of Act Three
Important things you could discuss:
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Explain why Proctor has come to court. (1)
Explain why Proctor rejects Danforth’s offer and what this reveals about him and his desire
to redeem himself. (1)
Explain why Proctor is forced into confessing to the affair with Abigail and what we learn
about him here. (2)
Explain why this is the turning point in the play which sets in motion a chain of events
(Elizabeth’s lie and Mary’s betrayal) which lead to his arrest for witchcraft (2)
Explain how his plan to use Mary has backfired dramatically. (2)
Explain how the themes of redemption and reputation are conveyed through Proctor.
(1) and (2).
Recommended quotes:
1. “I think I cannot”.
2. “(trembling, his life collapsing about him) I have known her, sir. I have known her”.
Main Body Paragraph 3: Focus on the events of Act Four
Important things you could discuss:
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explain the dilemma that Proctor is faced with regarding his decision to confess or not. (1)
Explain why he decides to confess, what it reveals about him and how he feels about the
decision. (1)
Or
explain why Proctor cannot bear to look at Rebecca Nurse after he confesses and why he
refuses to name others as witches. (2)
Explain why this is a noble act and how it demonstrates his desire to redeem himself. (2)
Plus
Explain Proctor’s reasons for deciding that he must rip up his confession. What does this
reveal about him? (3)
Explain how Proctor dies a changed man, and how he has managed to redeem himself and
also protect his reputation as his life comes to an end. Explain how he dies having regained
his honesty, integrity and goodness as a man. (3)
Explain how the themes of redemption and reputation are conveyed through Proctor.
(1) or (2) plus (3)
Recommended quotes:
1. “I cannot mount the gibbet like a saint. It is a fraud. I am not that man”.
or
2. “They think to go like saints. I like not to spoil their names”.
Plus
3. “How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul, leave me my name!”