The Crucible Characterization Group Activity Everything you never thought you wanted to know about the characters in the play.

Purpose Gain deeper understanding of characterization (round / flat, dynamic / static) as demonstrated by Miller’s characters from the play. Use fellow classmates as a “brain trust” to gather and process data about the characters for the final exam on The Crucible. Collect information for your own characterization worksheet and write up that is part of your Crucible portfolio (due upon completion of the play)

Procedure Divide into self-selected groups of 4 (no more than 4 please!) Take out several pieces of paper and prepare to take notes on each of the prominent characters of The Crucible as the teacher reads off the names one at a time. At the end of the group work, your group will report out to the class on one of the characters as assigned by the teacher. It could be ANY of them, so take quality notes, please!

Procedure You will have approximately two minutes to individually write as many thoughts as you can about the character on your own piece of paper. You will then have approximately three minutes to discuss the character as a group and add to your own notes. A new character name will be put out for consideration approximately every 5 minutes, so work efficiently!

Information to note about characters What does the character say in the play? What does the character do in the play? What does the character think at important points in the play? What do other characters say about the character being discussed? Is the character flat or round? Dynamic or static?

Sample Notes Betty Parris: Says: “…You drank a charm to kill John Proctor’s wife! You drank a charm to kill Goody Proctor!” Does: Hysterically cries for her dead mother, reveals important details about Abigail’s actions in the woods, seems to come to her senses and screams when a psalm is being sung at the beginning of the play (witchcraft? Is she bewitched?) Thinks: That Abigail might bring a “pointy reckoning” if she reveals more about what happened in the woods. Other characters say: Parris thinks she is ill, maybe bewitched. Mrs. Putnam thinks she IS bewitched. Rebecca Nurse thinks she is being a mischievous child.

Following the gathering of facts about the characters: Each group will be required to report out to the class their findings about a selected cast member (Your teacher will assign one). The presentation should last approximately 2 minutes (details, please!) Each member must contribute / speak as part of the presentation. As groups present, audience members should add to their own notes.

Character Color Codes Red = Supports the Witch Trials. Blue = Both for and against the trials at various points in the play. (sometimes victims or potential victims) Green = Victims of / dissenters against the witch trials

Characters Reverend Parris Tituba Abigail Williams Mrs. Ann Putnam Thomas Putnam Mary Warren John Proctor Elizabeth Proctor

Characters Rebecca Nurse Giles Corey Martha Corey Reverend John Hale Deputy Governor Danforth

What should be done with the notes?: If and when we watch the film version of the play, add to these notes. Use the notes as a study guide for the final “candle” essay on The Crucible.

What is my responsibility during the film? Note differences between the film and play (Film review / compare and contrast essay). Specifically note additional settings versus the play, scenes that have been added or subtracted and characterizations that do or do not meet with your expectations. This will lead into your film review, which is part of the portfolio. Portfolios are due at the end of the play!