The CrucibleThe CrucibleCharacterization Characterization

Group ActivityGroup Activity

Everything you never thought Everything you never thought you wanted to know about you wanted to know about the characters in the play.the characters in the play.

PurposePurpose

Gain deeper understanding of Gain deeper understanding of characterization (round / flat, dynamic / characterization (round / flat, dynamic / static) as demonstrated by Miller’s static) as demonstrated by Miller’s characters from the play.characters from the play.

Use fellow classmates as a “brain trust” to Use fellow classmates as a “brain trust” to gather and process data about the gather and process data about the characters for the final exam on characters for the final exam on The The CrucibleCrucible..

Collect information for your own Collect information for your own characterization worksheet and write up characterization worksheet and write up that is part of your that is part of your CrucibleCrucible portfolio (due portfolio (due upon completion of the play)upon completion of the play)

ProcedureProcedure

Divide into self-selected groups of 4 (no Divide into self-selected groups of 4 (no more than 4 please!)more than 4 please!)

Take out several pieces of paper and Take out several pieces of paper and prepare to take notes on each of the prepare to take notes on each of the prominent characters of prominent characters of The CrucibleThe Crucible as the as the teacher reads off the names one at a time.teacher reads off the names one at a time.

At the end of the group work, your group At the end of the group work, your group will report out to the class on one of the will report out to the class on one of the characters as assigned by the teacher. It characters as assigned by the teacher. It could be ANY of them, so take quality notes, could be ANY of them, so take quality notes, please!please!

Procedure Procedure

You will have approximately You will have approximately two minutestwo minutes to to individuallyindividually write as many thoughts as write as many thoughts as you can about the character on your own you can about the character on your own piece of paper. piece of paper.

You will then have approximately You will then have approximately three three minutesminutes to discuss the character as a to discuss the character as a group and add to your own notes.group and add to your own notes.

A new character name will be put out for A new character name will be put out for consideration approximately every 5 consideration approximately every 5 minutes, so work efficiently!minutes, so work efficiently!

Information to note about Information to note about characterscharacters

What does the character What does the character saysay in the play? in the play? What does the character What does the character dodo in the play? in the play? What does the character What does the character thinkthink at at

important points in the play?important points in the play? What do other characters sayWhat do other characters say about the about the

character being discussed?character being discussed? Is the character flat or round? Dynamic Is the character flat or round? Dynamic

or static?or static?

Sample NotesSample Notes Betty Parris:Betty Parris: SaysSays: “…You drank a charm to kill John Proctor’s : “…You drank a charm to kill John Proctor’s

wife! You drank a charm to kill Goody Proctor!”wife! You drank a charm to kill Goody Proctor!” DoesDoes: Hysterically cries for her dead mother, reveals : Hysterically cries for her dead mother, reveals

important details about Abigail’s actions in the important details about Abigail’s actions in the woods, seems to come to her senses and screams woods, seems to come to her senses and screams when a psalm is being sung at the beginning of the when a psalm is being sung at the beginning of the play (witchcraft? Is she bewitched?)play (witchcraft? Is she bewitched?)

ThinksThinks: That Abigail might bring a “pointy reckoning” : That Abigail might bring a “pointy reckoning” if she reveals more about what happened in the if she reveals more about what happened in the woods.woods.

Other characters sayOther characters say: Parris thinks she is ill, maybe : Parris thinks she is ill, maybe bewitched. Mrs. Putnam thinks she IS bewitched. bewitched. Mrs. Putnam thinks she IS bewitched. Rebecca Nurse thinks she is being a mischievous Rebecca Nurse thinks she is being a mischievous child.child.

Following the gathering of facts Following the gathering of facts about the characters:about the characters:

Each group will be required to report out Each group will be required to report out to the class their findings about a selected to the class their findings about a selected cast member (Your teacher will assign cast member (Your teacher will assign one).one).

The presentation should last The presentation should last approximately 2 minutes (details, please!)approximately 2 minutes (details, please!)

Each member must contribute / speak as Each member must contribute / speak as part of the presentation.part of the presentation.

As groups present, audience members As groups present, audience members should add to their own notes.should add to their own notes.

Character Color CodesCharacter Color Codes

RedRed = Supports the Witch Trials. = Supports the Witch Trials. BlueBlue = Both for and against the trials = Both for and against the trials

at various points in the play. at various points in the play. (sometimes victims or potential (sometimes victims or potential victims)victims)

GreenGreen = Victims of / dissenters = Victims of / dissenters against the witch trialsagainst the witch trials

CharactersCharacters

Reverend ParrisReverend Parris TitubaTituba Abigail WilliamsAbigail Williams Mrs. Ann PutnamMrs. Ann Putnam Thomas PutnamThomas Putnam Mary WarrenMary Warren John ProctorJohn Proctor Elizabeth ProctorElizabeth Proctor

CharactersCharacters

Rebecca NurseRebecca Nurse Giles CoreyGiles Corey Martha CoreyMartha Corey Reverend John HaleReverend John Hale Deputy Governor DanforthDeputy Governor Danforth

What should be done with the What should be done with the notes?:notes?:

If and when we watch the film If and when we watch the film version of the play, add to these version of the play, add to these notes.notes.

Use the notes as a study guide for Use the notes as a study guide for the final “candle” essay on the final “candle” essay on The The CrucibleCrucible..

What is my responsibility during the What is my responsibility during the film?film?

Note differences between the film and play Note differences between the film and play (Film review / compare and contrast (Film review / compare and contrast essay).essay).

Specifically note additional settings versus Specifically note additional settings versus the play, scenes that have been added or the play, scenes that have been added or subtracted and characterizations that do subtracted and characterizations that do or do not meet with your expectations.or do not meet with your expectations.

This will lead into your film review, which This will lead into your film review, which is part of the portfolio.is part of the portfolio.

Portfolios are due at the end of the play!Portfolios are due at the end of the play!