The Crucible Characters: Who's Who

Activity Overview

While students are reading, it is often helpful to use a storyboard that creates a character reference log. A character map allows students to recall relevant information on characters. When reading a play, it is often little attributes that later return and become an important detail in the plot.

Copying the assignment will give you the example above as well as a blank template to customize as desired. Feel free to use it as is, or tailor it to student abilities! The simplest way to use this character map is to print it out and use it as worksheets for your students to complete while reading!

The Crucible Characters

Abigail Williams	The major antagonist. She is the niece of Reverend Parris and coerces the girls of Salem to lie about seeing members of the community consorting with the Devil. She was once a servant in the Proctor's home, but was dismissed after an affair with John Proctor.
Reverend Parris	The minister of Salem, MA. He is a father, uncle, and the servant to the Lord. He is often paranoid about his reputation and, at times, power-hungry. His reputation throughout the town is not high. The people of Salem believe he has priorities out of order since he cares more for golden candlesticks than for his parish.
John Proctor	A hardworking man in his early 40s who is level-headed and wise. He stands up for what he believes and knows from the beginning: that Abigail is lying and using manipulation to get what she wants.
Reverend Hale	Reverend Hale is an expert in witchcraft. This is ironic because there were no real witches in Salem. In the end he begins to see through the hysteria and attempts to undo the damage he's caused.
Elizabeth (Goody Proctor)	Elizabeth is a good Christian, wife, and mother. She is married to John Proctor and because of this, is accused of witchcraft by Abigail.
The Nurses	Two highly regarded members of Salem, who are accused of witchcraft by the Putnams. It is clear that their jealous enemies have something to gain.
Judge Danforth	He is the deputy governor of Massachusetts and the judge who oversees the witch trials. He is overzealous and believes he is a crusader against witchcraft. This clouds his judgment.
Tituba	Parris' black slave from Barbados who was the only one practicing any form of 'sorcery' by using voodoo magic.

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Template and Class Instructions

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Student Instructions

Create a character map for the major characters.

Identify the major characters in The Crucible and type their names into the different title boxes.
Choose a character from the "1600s to 1800s" tab to represent each of the literary characters.

Select colors and a pose appropriate to story and character traits.

Choose a scene or background that makes sense for the character.
Fill in the text boxes for Traits, Reputation, and Accuser or Accused.

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Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 11-12

Difficulty Level 3 (Developing to Mastery)

Type of Assignment Individual or Partner

Type of Activity: Character Map

Common Core Standards

[ELA-Literacy/RL/9-10/3] Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme
[ELA-Literacy/RL/9-10/6] Analyze a particular point of view or cultural experience reflected in a work of literature from outside the United States, drawing on a wide reading of world literature
[ELA-Literacy/W/9-10/6] Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products, taking advantage of technology’s capacity to link to other information and to display information flexibly and dynamically

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Rubric

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Character Map Template

Create a character map of the characters in the story. Put the character's name in the title boxes and choose a character and scene to represent each one. As you read, take notes on the characters by answering the questions.

	Proficient 33 Points	Emerging 25 Points	Beginning 17 Points
Character Picture & Scene	The characters and scenes are both appropriate for the book's characters.	Many of the characters and scenes match the book's characters.	More than half of the characters and scenes do not match the characters in the book.
Accuracy of Notes	Most of the information of the notes is correct.	Many of the notes have correct information, but some are incorrect or missing.	Less than half of the information of the notes is correct and relevant.
Effort	Work is complete, thorough, and neat.	Most of the sections of the character map were at least attempted and work is presentable.	Character map is unfinished and/or disorganized.