Name________________________
Date_____________Hour________
Character Analysis Project
The Crucible
Choose one of the following characters: Elizabeth Proctor, John Proctor, Rev. Hale, Rev. Parris or Abigail.
Who is your character?_________________________
1. Name two personal traits of your character
a. ______________________________________________________
b. ______________________________________________________
2. Give one specific quote from the text that demonstrates each trait. Include the page number. You can
quote the character or another character that is speaking about your character. You may even quote
the stage directions if that gets your point across.
a. ______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
b. ______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. Is your character Static or Dynamic? Use a quote or quotes to prove your point. Be sure to refer to
details from the text specifically.
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
4. Does your character have a foil? Who is the foil and how do the two characters interact? Be sure to
refer to details from the text specifically. IF YOU HAVE CHOSEN JOHN PROCTOR: Does John have an
antagonist? If not why?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
When finished with this portion, turn in to Mr. Livovich/Mrs. Beglin.
Now, you will use your outline in order to type up your character analysis while adding some explanation and
analysis. 65 Points: Refer to Rubric
Requirements:
12 pt. type
Double-spaced
Do not use First person
(No “I” or “we” or “you”)
At least one full page in length
Do Spell check
Read your work through at
least once before turning in
Use all direct quotes correctly:
Ask if you are unsure
Also! You must turn in some kind of “cover” for you character analysis. You may draw, paint or make a
collage of your character or some kind of representation of him or her. Be creative.
Title: Character Analysis: Your character name
1st Paragraph:
Begin simply by using your character’s name and give the trait: Rebecca is well respected. Then give
your evidence that supports the claim. This is clear because in Act One Arthur Miller mentioned in his
stage directions that… Make sure that your claim is fully explained and supported. You will need to
write at least four sentences.
2nd Paragraph:
Again, begin with the character’s name and a simple sentence. Rebecca is also very pious (religious).
Then give your evidence and analysis in the same style as above.
3rd Paragraph:
Answer question number three utilizing the quote(s) that you had found before as evidence. Do not
repeat the question itself. Make sure that you fully explain and argue your case. This will require that
you compare how the character is at the beginning of the play to how he is at the end. You must write
at least five sentences.
4th Paragraph:
Answer question number four utilizing details from the text. Do not repeat the question. Notice that
you do not necessarily need to use quotes, but may want to use them in order to answer this portion
fully. Write at least five sentences.
Mr. Livovich
English 11
The Crucible
Understanding Character and Elements of Drama
Static (unchanging) and Dynamic (changing) Characters:
When we read a story, we often find that some characters remain essentially the same while other
characters change. The key word is “essentially.” A static character’s appearance or age may change but
those elements at the character’s core remain essentially (basically) the same. Some characters remain
the same because they are minor characters with a limited function (e.g., Cheever arrests people); some
major characters remain essentially the same because of inertia (a resistance to change) that results from
a balance of conflicting forces (e.g., Judge Danforth). When we analyze a character, we are typically most
interested in understanding why some complex characters remain the same while others change.
Protagonist and Antagonist:
The protagonist is the main character who is at the center of the story. He/she is the one whose actions
and fate the story concentrates on the most. John Proctor is the protagonist in The Crucible. The
antagonist is the character (the antagonist can also be an animal or force of nature) in conflict with or
prominently opposed to the protagonist. A protagonist may have more than one antagonist or, if the
main conflict is within him or herself, no antagonist.
Foils:
A foil is a character whose values and behavior stand in sharp contrast with another character. In The
Crucible, Elizabeth Proctor and Abigail Williams are each other’s foils. They share certain traits (desire to
have John Proctor for themselves), yet stand in strong opposition to each other in most every other way.
Motivation:
What drives the character? The reason for a
character’s behavior.
Monologue: a long speech spoken by a
character to himself, another character, or to
the audience.
Act: a division within a play, much like the
chapters of a novel
Scene: a division of an act into smaller parts.
Comedy: a humorous work of drama
Dialogue: conversation between two or more
characters
Drama: a work of literature designed in order
to be performed in front of an audience
Dramatic Irony: when the audience or reader
knows something that the characters in the
story do not know
Stage directions: italicized comments that
identify parts of the setting or the use of props
or costumes, give further information about a
character, or provide background information.
Tragedy: a serious work of drama in which the
hero suffers catastrophe or serious
misfortune, usually because of his own
actions.
The Crucible: Character Analysis
Grading Rubric
First Paragraph—Character trait
Solid Topic Sentence which gives the
character trait—2 points
At least one direct quote is used as
evidence—2 points
Quote(s) is/are well-framed and punctuated
correctly—2 points
There are at least TWO separate bits of
evidence used to support the topic sentence.
Evidence is fully explained and successfully
argues the point—2 points
At least four sentences—2 points
TOTAL = 12 POINTS
Fourth Paragraph—
Foil / Protagonist/Antagonist
Topic sentence contains PQA and a direct
answer—2 points—2 points
Details from the text are used to support the
topic sentence—2 points.
There are at least TWO separate bits of
evidence used to support the topic
sentence—2 points.
Evidence is fully explained and successfully
argues the point—2 points
At least five sentences—2 points
TOTAL = 10 POINTS
Second Paragraph—Character trait
Artwork--Cover
Solid Topic Sentence which gives the
character trait—2 points
At least one direct quote is used as
evidence—2 points
Quote(s) is/are well-framed and punctuated
correctly—2 points
There are at least TWO separate bits of
evidence used to support the topic
sentence—2 points.
Evidence is fully explained and successfully
argues the point—2 points
At least four sentences—2 points
TOTAL = 12 POINTS
Third Paragraph—Static vs. Dynamic
Topic sentence contains PQA and a direct
answer
—2 points
At least one direct quote is used as evidence
—2 points
There are at least TWO separate bits of
evidence used to support the topic
sentence—2 points.
Quote is well-framed and punctuated
correctly
—2 points
Evidence is fully explained and successfully
argues the point—2 points
At least five sentences—2 points
TOTAL = 12 POINTS
Visual Representation of your character
—7 points.
Formatting / Grammar and Mechanics /
Due Dates
Analysis is typed—double spaced (2 points)
Font is 12 point and professional font
(2 points)
One inch margins on ALL sides (2 points)
Student uses the THIRD PERSON and does
not use the FIRST OR SECOND PERSON
(Does not use “I” or “you” in the essay)
(2 points)
Grammar and Mechanics:
Less than five mistakes overall—4 points
Between Ten and six mistakes overall
—1 point
Between Fifteen and Eleven mistakes
overall—0 points
TOTAL = 12 POINTS
LATE PENALTY—PAPER WAS TURNED IN
LATE--
Total
/65
Chamber Pottsman
Mr. Livovich
English 11
December 6, 2013
Sample Character Analysis
Character Analysis: Rebecca Nurse
In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, Rebecca Nurse is well respected by her fellow townsfolk. In Act One,
Miller uses non-dialogue character sketches to help introduce the numerous characters and their reputations.
One of these sections is dedicated to Rebecca and Miller explains that the “general opinion of her character
was so high that to explain how anyone dared cry her out for a witch…we must look to the fields and
boundaries of that time.” Miller then went on to mention that there was a longstanding feud between the
Nurse and Putnam clans, and it was Thomas and Goody Putnam that orchestrated Rebecca’s accusation as a
witch.
Rebecca Nurse is also very pious. She continually sought out God in all things. In Act One, when she
was talking with Mrs. Putnam over Betty’s sickbed, she counseled that they should “go to God for the cause of
it.” She later said as she was leaving the room, “I go to God for you…” However, she was not only religious.
She also had a very level head. While others like Rev. Parris and Mrs. Putnam were jumping to conclusions
about witchcraft, Rebecca said that the girls were only going through a “silly season” and that they would soon
grow out of it. She certainly did not want the town to immediately conclude that witches were behind the
recent problems with the girls.
Rebecca is a static character because her most important qualities remained largely unchanged
throughout the play. At the beginning of the play she was solidly religious and looked to God for everything.
By the end of the play, Miller has her stay true to those beliefs even when her life is at stake. Minutes before
she is executed, she refuses her last chance to remain alive by saying, “Why, it is a lie, it is a lie; how may I
damn myself? I cannot, I cannot.” She refused to tell a lie, even if it meant that it would save her life. She
knew that God would be her true judge. Her faith remained unchanged from beginning to end.
Throughout the play, Rebecca Nurse’s foil is Ann Putnam. They share some qualities, such as deep
religious faith. The two women contrast heavily when it comes to children. Rebecca has had many children
and scores of grandchildren while Goody Putnam has had all of her children except one die in infancy. This
difference led to bitterness on Goody Putnam’s part. Goody Putnam’s religious faith causes her to be worried
about the devil and witches and ends in her making accusations about Rebecca herself and other members of
the community. Meanwhile, Rebecca does not immediately go to the spirit world for explanations for strange
occurrences. Her attitude is one of trust and patience.