Self Check: What a Character!

After reading Act 1 of The Crucible, answer the following questions to analyze character:

What does John Proctor want in Act 1 (What is his objective?):

To bring home his servant, Mary Warren, and to find out what Abigail is up to.

What is John Proctor's obstacle?

His guilt over his relationship with Abigail and his desire to stop it complicated by his attraction to her.

Is Proctor round or flat?

Extremely round

What is Reverend Parris's motivation in Act 1?

To find out what is causing his daughter's "illness" and to keep control over his congregation for the power and wealth it provides him.

What do other characters think/say about Reverend Parris? How do they treat him?

Proctor thinks he is a greedy hypocrite which is why he no longer attends church. The others show him outward respect, but do not comfort or support him.

Now take a look at the other characters in Act 1 and see if you can determine each character's objective, motivation, and obstacle. Download and Submit the The Crucible character chart and see if you can classify each character as round/flat and static/dynamic. When you have completed your self-check chart, check it against the play. This activity will help you learn more about characterization in literature for upcoming assessments.