Dear Juniors,
If you missed class, we completed the following:
1. A new assignment was explained entitled "The Crucible Character Analysis." I have included the explanation for the assignment below. In essence, you are selecting one character from the play and comparing them to an individual from history.
The Crucible Character Analysis
Junior English/Due Date________________________________
Introduction: The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, contains complex and endearing characters. The primary characters possess attributes that audience members possess as well, and characteristics that can easily connect with individuals from history. Your assignment involves completing a character analysis regarding one of the following individuals from ACT III of The Crucible. I will explain the requirements for a character analysis and how you will need to submit your assignment.
- · John Proctor
- · Elizabeth Proctor
- · John Hale
- · Judge Danforth
- · Giles Corey
- · Mary Warren
- · Abigail Williams
Requirements:
1. Select an individual from history that you consider has similar traits to your chosen character. Prove the connection through a well devised THESIS, and THREE PARAGRAPH ESSAY. I have included an example below. You will create a THESIS STATEMENT for your point of comparison. Your first body paragraph will discuss the character from THE CRUCIBLE, your second body paragraph will discuss your comparison from history, and finally you will have a concluding paragraph.
2. Include an image of your chosen “historical comparison” either within the body of your paragraph or above your paragraph.
3. Include a minimum of four quotes, that support your points of comparison. Two quotes must come from the play the others need to come from the source you used to obtain information regarding your historical figure. If you incorporate more than the required number of quotes into your paragraph then extra credit will be given.
4. For work cited purposes, you are required to use The Crucible and an additional source. I have included citation examples for you here. Realize that your source regarding the historical character that you select will obviously differ from the example given to you below.
Works Cited Examples:
Miller, Arthur. The Crucible. Everbind Anthologies, Publishing. Lodi, New Jersey. 1982.
Stevenson, William. Roman Emporers. The life of Ceasar Agustus. 15 February, 2001. 21
March, 2009.
5. Please use ACADEMIC VOICE (MLA Format, no first or second person, no passive voice and no contractions) for your paragraph.
Example Essay (Jordan Hendrickson, 2000):
Jordan Hendrickson Hendrickson 1
Mrs. Crampton
English, B4
02/08/2000
Mary Warren vs. Judas Iscariot
Characters in literature and throughout history have earned poor reputations due to treacherous acts. They have chosen to betray others because they do not possess, nor value integrity and loyalty towards others. Two such characters include Mary Warren and Judas Iscariot. Mary Warren, from The Crucible, and Judas Iscariot, a disciple to Jesus Christ, possess a strong trait for comparison in that they both betrayed individuals that they should have respected and loved.
Mary Warren betrays John Proctor out of fear.(ts) She knows that the accusations against those currently in prison have no merit, but she struggles between her conscience and the loyalty she has to her friends.(cd) According to John Proctor, Mary Warren has been “battling with her soul,” because she knows that the afflicted girls’ behavior “is all pretense,” and that innocent people will die unless she tells “the court what she knows.” (comm). In addition, she has accompanied John Proctor to the court because his wife has been falsely accused of witchcraft, and Mary has the power to prove her innocence. (comm.) Mary needs to possess strength, but she also knows that her desire for truth could cause Abigail and the other girls to turn against her. When Proctor tells Mary that “she must tell the court what she knows,” she replys with ,“I cannot. She will ruin me. I cannot, I cannot.”(comm.). Her desire for truth and integrity becomes difficult to share due to the prodigious amount of fear she experiences. (comm.) John Proctor believes that Mary will follow her heart and tell the judges what she knows. She even states to Judge Danforth, “I cannot lie no more. I am with God now. I am with God.” Unfortunately for John Proctor, Elizabeth Proctor, and those falsely accused, Mary’s fear is too great, especially since Abigail and the other girls pretend that Mary’s spirit has come to hurt them. (comm.) Proctor reminds Mary that “God damns all liars,” while at the same time the girls mock her. In the end, Mary’s fear overcomes her. She betrays John Proctor by accusing him of witchcraft.(comm.) She states,” He wake me every night, his eyes were like coals and his fingers claw my neck. I love God; I go your way no more. I love God, I bless God. Oh, Abby, Abby, I’ll never hurt her more.” (comm.) Due to Mary Warren’s betrayal of Proctor, his desire to free his wife and friends fails, and he becomes suspected of witchcraft (comm.).
Just as Mary Warren betrays John Proctor, Judas Iscariot betrays his Master, Jesus Christ. The words “treachery” and “betrayal” have become synonymous with Judas Isacariot. Judas acted as one of the twelve apostles to Christ. Christ even asked him to manage money, and yet he stole from the funds given to him. For example, Judas states, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? If was worth a year’s wages.” He did not make this statement because he cared about the poor, but because he wanted to help himself to the money earned from the sale of the perfume; he acted as a thief. Jesus Christ selected his twelve disciplines knowing that Judas possessed untrustworthy qualities and that Judas would betray him. In John 6: 71-72, Christ states, “Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve; and one of you is a devil. Now he meant Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon; for this same was about to betray him whereas he was one of the twelve.” In John 6:65, it states, “For Jesus knew from the beginning, who they were that did not believe, and who he was, that would betray him.” While Christ sits with his disciplines at the Last Supper, he tells them that,” He was troubled in spirit; and he testified, and said Amen, amen I say to you, one of you shall betray me.” Judas chose to betray Christ for thirty pieces of silver. He even states to the chief priests, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” His desire for riches caused him to make a horrible error , and one that made him to take his own life.
Mary Warren and Judas Isacariot’s acts of betrayal damaged individuals that they should have respected and loved. Mary’s fear of Abigail and the other girls dictated her betrayal against John Proctor; consequently, causing the court to accuse him of witchcraft. Judas Iscariot’s desire for wealth caused him to value thirty pieces of silver over his Master. Both characters failed to recognize the importance of integrity and loyalty.
2. Don't forget that your DESK TOP TEACHING assignment is due on WED. Please remember that you need manipulatives to teach your assignment.
3. Your QUIZ for ACT 3 is due on FRIDAY! Remember that this is an integrity issue on your part!
Cheers,
Crampton