The Crucible, Act 2, Scene 2 Was Miller correct in his decision to leave this scene out of the play?

Hopefully… You have already written a strong first draft that explores this question. Your task today will be to REVISE that rough draft. Note: REVISE and JUST TYPE THE SUCKER are not the same!!!

Two Main Factors The quality of your ideas: Thorough analysis Interesting ideas Makes larger point connected to theme of the play. The quality of your writing? Clear Well organized Good examples and effective analysis? Academic tone Error free

Let’s start with your ideas. What do we know about the character of John Proctor based on earlier scenes in the play? Talk about this with your neighbor.

Okay, so what did you learn about Proctor in other parts of the play?

Now back to your helpful neighbor… Look over scene 2.2 (pp. 148-152) How is John Proctor portrayed in that scene? How does it compare with what you already learned about him?

Notes on John Proctor’s character development in Act 2, Scene 2

Let’s take a look at Abigail… How is Abigail portrayed in other parts of the play? Again, discuss this with your neighbor.

Notes on how Abigail is portrayed in other parts of the play:

What do these quotes suggest about Abigail? “I cannot bear lewd looks no more, John. My spirit’s changed entirely. I ought be given Godly looks when I suffer for them as I do.” “Why, look at my leg. I’m holes all over from their damned needles and pins. The jab your wife gave me’s not healed yet, y’know.”

What about this quote? “Why, you taught me goodness, therefore you are good. It were a fire you walked me through, and all my ignorance was burned away. It were a fire, John, we lay in fire…[used to feel ashamed of herself] I And then you burned my ignorance away.” How does it relate to the metaphor of the crucible (a vessel used to melt metal down to its essential elements under extreme heat.)

One more Abigail quote… (a continuation of the same quote on p. 150) “…Oh, John, I will make you such a wife when the world is white again…You will be amazed to see me every day, a light of heaven in your house…” What does this quote show us?

Considering those quotes and other evidence from Act 2.2 Discuss with your neighbor how Abigail is portrayed in this scene. How is it similar and/or different from how she is shown in the other parts of the play?

Notes on your discussion: Abigail’s portrayal in Act 2.2

Authorial Intrusion: Miller’s favorite trick! How does he use it here? Look over Act 2, Scene 2. Reread the parts that are in italics. While there is much less of this in other parts of the play, you still gain some useful information. What do you learn about John and Abigail through Miller’s comments?

Now that you have reviewed some specifics… Let’s think about the BIG picture. How does this scene CONTRIBUTE to our understanding of characters and theme? How might if DETRACT from our understanding of characters and theme? What is your response to the prompt?

Notes: Reasons why it SHOULD be included:

NOTES: Reasons why it SHOULD NOT be included.

By the way, the more effective paper will touch on major themes

PART TWO: Your Writing INTRODUCTION (at least 4 sentences) Did you mention author and title (and punctuate it correctly)? Did you start generally and lead into the specific idea of this paper? Is your last sentence a thesis that states your reason(s) why the scene should or should not be deleted?

At least one body paragraph: Do you have: A clear topic sentences that states an idea about the play? At least 2 quotes that are integrated or tucked into your sentence? Two or 3 sentences of commentary following each quote that explains how this examples supports your thesis?

Speaking of quotes…which of these works: Abigail is becoming insane “Why you taught me goodness, therefore you are good. It were a fire you walked me through, and all my ignorance was burned away” (150). In their night time secret meeting in the woods, Abigail explains to John that “It were a fire you walked me through, and all my ignorance was burned away” (150).

Your Conclusion (at least 5 sentences) Since this is a SHORT paper (possibly only one body paragraph) you do NOT need to do very much summing up. Did you: BRIEFLY sum up your ideas? Leave the reader with something else to think about, such as explaining more about how the decision to exclude the scene relates to larger themes of the play.

SCARY GRADE WARNING: You will get two grades: For the quality of the final draft writing. For the quality of your revision. If you JUST RETYPE your essay that will be a GRADE BOMB!

So, it’s time to put on your thinking cap (as pictured below): Does my paper express well developed ideas on the topic? Is it well written? REVISE until answer to each = YES!