Plotting Tension in the Crucible

Ups and downs The Crucible by Arthur Miller

Plotting tension in The Crucible

Create a graph for each act of the play using key moments.

maximum
tension
minimum
tension / 10 /
5
0
1. / 2. / 3. / 4. / 5. / 6. / 7. / 8. / 9. / 10. / 11. / 12. / 13. / 14. / 15. / 16. / 17. / 18. / 19. / 20. / 21. / 22.

Tension in The Crucible

For each section of the act, choose a quotation that shows the tension score you have given it.

Section of the act / Tension score /

Quotation

/ Character speaking
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Tension in Act 1 of The Crucible

Create a graph showing how the tension rises and falls in this act.

maximum
tension
minimum
tension / 10 /
5
0
1. Parris prays by Betty’s bed. / 2. Susanna gives the doctor’s news. / 3. Abigail denies witchcraft to her uncle. / 4. The Putnams explain about their daughter. / 5. Ann admits she sent Ruth to Tituba. / 6. Mercy Lewis arrives. / 7. Abigail tells Mercy what her uncle knows. / 8. Mary Warren arrives with her news. / 9. Betty tries to jump from the window. / 10. John Proctor arrives and scolds Mary. / 11. Mary and Mercy leave. / 12. Abigail tries to seduce Proctor. / 13. Betty screams when the psalm is sung. / 14. The others return. / 15. Rebecca Nurse advises that it is just mischief… / 16. The adults argue about village matters. / 17. Rev Hale arrives and Giles accuses his wife. / 18. Abigail blames Tituba when questioned. / 19. Tituba confesses to seeing the devil / 20. Tituba blames other women. / 21. Abigail joins in with the accusations. / 22. Betty wakes and joins in too.

Tension in Act 1 of The Crucible

For each section of the act, choose a quotation that shows the tension score you have given it.

Section of the act / Tension score /

Quotation

/ Character speaking
1
2
3
4
5
6
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8
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10
11
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22

Tension in Act 2 of The Crucible

Create a graph showing how the tension rises and falls in this act.

maximum
tension
minimum
tension / 10 /
5
0
1. Proctor and Elizabeth eat their meal. / 2. Elizabeth tells Proctor about the court. / 3. Elizabeth suggests he should tell them what Abiqail said. / 4. They argue about Proctor’s affair. / 5. Mary Warren returns. / 6. Mary gives Elizabeth a poppet. / 7. Mary tells them about those who will hang. / 8. Mary says she has saved Elizabeth’s life. / 9. Elizabeth blames Abigail for the accusation. / 10. Hale arrives and questions the couple. / 11. Proctor recites the Commandments badly. / 12. Proctor tells Hale what Abigail told him. / 13. Corey and Nurse arrive with their news. / 14. Cheever arrives to arrest Elizabeth. / 15. Cheever finds the needle in the poppet. / 16. Elizabeth condemns Abigail. / 17. Elizabeth is taken. / 18. Proctor rejects Hale’s defence of the court. / 19. Proctor insists Mary goes to the court. / 20. Mary warns him what Abigail will do. / 21. Proctor realises he must tell the truth. / 22. Mary continues to cry.

Tension in Act 2 of The Crucible

For each section of the act, choose a quotation that shows the tension score you have given it.

Section of the act / Tension score /

Quotation

/ Character speaking
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22

Tension in Act 3 of The Crucible

Create a graph showing how the tension rises and falls in this act.

maximum
tension
minimum
tension / 10 /
5
0
1. Martha Corey denies witchcraft. / 2. Nurse and Corey are dragged onstage. / 3. Proctor and Mary arrive. / 4. Parris and Cheever try to discredit them. / 5. Danforth reveals Elizabeth is pregnant. / 6. Proctor gives Danforth the petition. / 7. Warrants are to be drawn up. / 8. Giles is charged with contempt. / 9. Mary is questioned by Danforth. / 10. The other girls are brought in. / 11. Mary cannot pretend. / 12. Abigail says that Mary is sending a cold wind. / 13. Proctor reveals the truth about Abigail. / 14. Elizabeth is sent for. / 15. Elizabeth lies to protect her husband. / 16. Abigail sees the yellow bird. / 17. Mary rejects Proctor. / 18. Mary runs to Abigail. / 19. Proctor is taken to jail. / 20. Hale storms out.

Tension in Act 3 of The Crucible

For each section of the Act, choose a quotation that shows the tension score you have given it.

Section of the act / Tension score /

Quotation

/ Character speaking
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20

Tension in Act 4 of The Crucible

Create a graph showing how the tension rises and falls in this act.

maximum
tension
minimum
tension / 10 /
5
0
1. Herrick clears the cell. / 2. Danforth, Hathorne and Cheever arrive. / 3. They discuss Parris’ strange behaviour. / 4. Parris arrives and explains about Hale. / 5. Parris reveals Abigail has run away. / 6. Parris asks for the hangings to be delayed. / 7. Danforth refuses the postponement. / 8. Hale arrives and asks for pardons. / 9. Elizabeth is asked to persuade Proctor. / 10. Proctor is brought in. / 11. Elizabeth tells of Corey’s death. / 12. Proctor asks for her forgiveness. / 13. Proctor agrees to confess. / 14. Rebecca Nurse is brought in. / 15. Proctor confesses. / 16. He refuses to name other women. / 17. Proctor signs with reluctance. / 18. He says it is enough for his signature to be seen. / 19. Proctor tears up his confession. / 20. Proctor and Rebecca are taken to the gallows. / 21. Hales pleads with Elizabeth. / 22. Proctor achieves goodness in dying.

Tension in Act 4 of The Crucible

For each section of the Act, choose a quotation that shows the tension score you have given it.

Section of the act / Tension score /

Quotation

/ Character speaking
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
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22