The Crucible: Main Events
Story Map and Thematic Timeline
Act I
Plot Line
The Crucible: Main Events
The girls are
caught dancing
in the woods
Setting,
Characterization,
Culture of Salem,
Betty get’s
hysterical
paralysis
Betty has
fainted and
“cannot
wake.”
Betty accuses
Abigail: “You
drank blood
Abby!”
Abigail and
John’s
affair is
confirmed
Theme Line
Inciting Incident Rising Action
Day 1-2
Lies and Deceit:
Everyone Lies in Salem
for their own benefit or
protection.
Rev. Hale
Arrives and
discover
witchcraft!
Abigail threatens
the other girls if
they tell about the
spells in the woods
Rising Action
Abigail accuses
Tituba
Tituba confesses and
accuses others
Rising Action
The Supernatural: Goody Putnam’s
conviction that her babies were killed by
witchcraft. Abigail drinks a blood charm to
kill Goody Proctor. The girls dancing around
a fire in the woods to make love charms
Puritanism v. Individuality: The
prohibition against dancing, the way
children were expected to behave like
adults, the rigid control of a person’s time
Abigail sees how Tituba
has gained power:
Confesses, repents,
accuses others
Reputation: How others
see you
Vs.
Integrity: Your moral code
and how you see yourself.
The other girls
confess, accuse
w/rising hysteria
Hysteria:
Betty’s paralysis:
Hysterical paralysis
Betty tries to “fly” out
the window
The girl’s joining
Abby’s accusations
Plot Line
The Crucible: Main Events
John is hesitant to
tell, because he
fears for his
reputation
Elizabeth urges John
to tell what Abigail
told him
Mary Warren gives
Goody Proctor the
poppet she made in
court
Theme Line
Rising Action
Lies and Deceit
Abigail lies about Elizabeth
Mary and the other girls
lie about Goody Osburn
Mary reveals:
39 people now accused/in jail
Goody Osburn will hand bc she
wouldn’t confess.
Elizabeth has been accused
Rising Action
Reputation vs. Integrity
John fears for his reputation if he
tells about Abigail
Act II
Elizabeth is
arrested
John is going to
make Mary
confess
Rising Action
Hysteria
See Mary’s description
of her reaction to
Goody Osburne’s
testimony
Plot Line
Giles Corey tries to bring
evidence that his wife is
innocent; Judge Danforth
requires him to submit an
affidavit
The Crucible: Main Events
Giles accuses
Putnam of
murdering his
neighbors for
their land.
Act III
Theme Line
Francis Nurse presents a
deposition signed by 91
Giles is arrested
people testifying to the
bc he won’t
good character of RN, EP
reveal the name
and Mc. All 91 signers
of his witness.
Martha is accused Proctor brings Mary Warren and
are arrested.
her deposition to the court.
and standing trial
It is revealed that Elizabeth is
Judge Danforth doesn’t want to
pregnant. Danforth offers a stay
see her deposition
in return for Proctor dropping
the charges. Proctor refuses.
Rising
Action
Rising Action
Lies and Deceit
Ruth accusing George Jacobs
Abigail accusing Elizabeth
Dangers of Ideology
Presumption of guilt in
the accused
Reputation vs. Integrity
Danforth’s refusal to
hear evidence against
the accusers.
Mary testifies, then
recants when Abby turns
on her as predicted.
Mary accuses John.
John and Abigail’s
affair is revealed.
Elizabeth lies to
save John.
John is arrested for
witchcraft. Hale quits
the court.
Rising Action
Reputation vs. Integrity
John chooses integrity when
he won’t take Danforth’s
deal and when he tells the
truth about him and Abby.
Plot Line
Danforth arrives, Parris reveals
The Crucible: Main Events
that Hale is trying to get
people to confess to save
John and Elizabeth
them. Abby has run off
reconcile.
w/Mercy. Suggests postponing
the hangings. Danforth
John decides to
refuses.
confess to save his
Danforth orders
life.
Comic relief w/Tituba,
Elizabeth brought
Susanna, Herrick. Shows
up, hoping that
Danforth insists on a
setting in jail.
she will convince
signed confession.
Rising Action John to confess.
Theme Line
Dangers of ideology
Compassion and
forgiveness
Act IV
John recants
his
confession,
choosing
integrity
over
reputation.
Climax
John, Martha and
Rebecca are hanged.
Falling Action
Integrity vs.
Reputation
In the post we see
that 19 people
were hanged
before the trials
ended.
Resolution