THE CRUCIBLE
By Arthur Miller
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
In 1953, legendary writer Arthur Miller
depicted a story based on actual facts;
facts which remain horrifying even to
this day, despite being based on events
which took place over 300 years ago.
THE PLOT
The story is a terrifying depiction of how the
accusations of a group of children stirred up
such fear in the community that it led to
persecution and hangings. The message applies
to all “witch-hunts”; taking place every day.
SO LET’S BEGIN
SETTING
It is the spring of 1692. The small town of Salem, MA
had been established a mere forty years earlier, and had
yet to make it its mark on the rest of the world. However,
while not all were immediately aware, 1692 would be a
year of revolution’ in America. No longer was everyone
willing to adhere to the strict lifestyle that had been set
down by their forefathers.
CONFLICT
While the town of Salem may have appeared to be
a serene and enjoyable place to live, it was about to
experience an event that would change their lives
forever. Little did they know, though, that their
story would still have a tremendous effect on us
today.
CHARACTERS
THE PARRIS’S
 Reverend Samuel Parris -An
older minister who is hated by
many members of the community.
 Betty Parris- The daughter of
reverend Parris who is pretending
to be unconscious in Act 1.
ABIGAIL AND TITUBA
 Tituba- A black female slave who is
the first person to be accused of
witchcraft.
 Abigail Williams - The niece of
reverend Parris who has an affair with
Proctor and accuses many people of
witchcraft.
THE PROCTOR’S
 John Proctor - A successful farmer and
a married man who cheats on his wife with
the babysitter.
 Elizabeth Proctor- John’s wife, a good
but ill mother, who is very angry because
of her husband’s affair.
THE PUTNAM’S
 Mrs. Ann Putnam - An unhappy
woman who’s daughter Ruth is also
pretending to be unconscious in Act 1.
 Thomas Putnam - A member of
Reverend Parris’s church who is very
wealthy.
THE OTHER GIRLS
 Susanna Walcott- A friend of Abigail’s
who tries to help Betty and Ruth.
 Mercy Lewis - A friend of Abigail’s
who danced naked in the woods.
 Mary Warren- A friend of Abigail’s
who claims she didn’t do anything wrong.
A FEW TRAGIC HEROES
 Rebecca Nurse- An older woman who knows the
little girls are faking their illnesses.
 Giles Corey - An old farmer who is suspicious of
his wife because she likes to read.
 Reverend John Hale- A minister from the nearby
town of Beverly who is called by Reverend Parris to
investigate his suspicions of witchcraft in Salem.
MINOR CHARACTERS
 Francis Nurse - A wealthy farmer who
is arrested for trying to stop the trials.
 Martha Corey - Giles’ Corey’s wife
 Ezekiel Cheever - An official of the
 Danforth - The governor of
court who works for governor Danforth.
Massachusetts; he supports the trials.
 Marshal Herrick - An official of the
court who works for governor Danforth.
 Judge Hawthorne - A judge who is
prejudice against the accused.
 Sarah Good - A homeless woman
falsely accused by Abigail and her
friends of witchcraft
ACT 1 ANALY SIS
The Confessions
 Why do you believe Tituba and Abigail admit to
practicing witchcraft?
 Tituba and Abigail admit to practice witchcraft because… While
they were in the woods,… This led to … So they finally, “…” ( ).
ACT 2 ANALY SIS
Proctor and His Two Lovers
Analyze the relationship Proctor has with his wife, Elizabeth,
as revealed through the opening of Act II (only up to Mary
Warren’s entrance). Use the dialogue to help support your
assertions about the relationship. Use thorough, thoughtfully
composed ideas.
Compare Proctor’s relationship with Abigail—the chemistry
between them—with his relationship with his wife.
ACT 3 ANALY SIS
 Mary, Mary, quite Contrary
Throughout ACT III, Mary Warren is affected by multiple
Characters to
characters. Consider how each of the following characters
consider:
interacts with and influences the actions and thoughts of the
 John Proctor
fickle Mary Warren. Furthermore, explain the specific tactic
each character uses to persuade Mary Warren to do what they
want her to do. Include two specific pieces of textual
evidence (with page numbers) to support your claims
about each character’s influential factor.
 Reverend Hale
 Abigail
ACT 4 ANALY SIS
Poor John
Describe both an internal conflict and an external
conflict that John Proctor faced. Then, explain how
these conflicts were resolved.
ESSAY PROMPT
 A crucible is defined as “a severe test.” Many characters in
the play are tested in terms of their conscience
(guilt/remorse), their motivation, their understanding of right
and wrong, and their understanding of their consequences.
Some characters crumble under their test; some excel beyond
that which surrounds them.
ESSAY PROMPT
 In a multi-paragraph essay, evaluate the test that one character faces during
the events of the story. Address this character’s motivation to action
throughout the play as seen in their speech and behavior. Analyze what
prompts this character to determine the choices she/he makes. Evaluate how
this character fairs at the end of his or her test in the play. Furthermore, analyze
how the notion of a “crucible” transcends the play. Look at society in terms of
community or on a national level to connect concepts of the “witch hunt” and
“a crucible” with society today (Consider: War or Terror, Gays in the Military,
California Fires, etc.).
STUDENT SAMPLE INTRODUCTION
 A great president once said, “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you
want to test a man's character, give him power” (Abraham Lincoln). Often
people who are given a large amount of power can become prideful and
overlook the extent of their responsibilities. They fail to realize the impact of the
choices they make, until it is too late. In The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, John Hale
is given the power to confirm the presence of witchcraft in Salem. However,
Hale soon realizes his mistakes and his test is to rid himself of his guilt.
S T U D E N T S A M P L E B O D Y PA R A G R A P H

When John Hale goes to Salem, he is convinced that there is witchcraft, and many
people expect him to find it. The authorities boast, “This is a beloved errand for him; on being
called here to ascertain witchcraft he felt the pride of the specialist whose unique knowledge has at
last been publicly called for” (Miller 190). Hale feels that his job is important and he has pride in
his work. Even though witchcraft seems an unlikely cause of the girl’s afflictions, “Better minds
than Hale’s were and still are convinced that there is a society of spirits beyond our ken” (Miller
31). Many people truly believed in sprits and witches in Salem. During all the chaos going on when
a group of girls accuse others of witchcraft, people turn to Hale to bring order in the village,
bringing him even more power over others. Nevertheless, many people in Salem put their trust in
John Hale because of his credibility and intelligence.
STUDENT SAMPLE REAL LIFE
C O N N E C T I O N PA R A G R A P H
 Power can cause a man to become prideful and look past the impact that their choices have on
others. After the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, former President George Bush had a
huge responsibility to protect our country. All of America looked towards him for guidance and
put their trust in him. Many people supported his decision to go into Iraq and discover “the
weapons of mass destruction” (CNN). However, by the end of his term as president, he had
extremely low approval ratings and many Americans disapproved of the war in Iraq. Like Hale, his
attempts to protect the innocent led to unnecessary loss of life. Unfortunately, many Americans
still suffer as a result of his actions.