How to Write a Character Analysis The Crucible

A strong character analysis will • Describe the character • Discuss the conflict in the story, particularly in regards to the character’s place in it • Explain how the author uses the character to develop his/her theme or how the character represents/symbolizes the author’s purpose.

Identify the type of character • Protagonist • Round • Tragic Hero (a great or virtuous character in a • Flat dramatic tragedy who is destined for downfall, suffering, or defeat) • Antagonist • Major/minor • Dynamic or Static

Consider if he/she is static or dynamic • Was the change gradual or rapid? • Was it subtle or obvious? • Are the changes significant to the story or are they a minor counterpoint? • What was his/her motivation to change? • What situations or characters encouraged the change? • How does the character learn from or deal with the change?

Psychological/Personality Traits • Do these characteristics aid in the characters being consistent, believable, adequately motivated and interesting? • Do the characteristics emphasize and focus on the character’s role in the story’s plot?

Motivation • Is the character ethical? Is he/she trying to do the right thing, but going about it the wrong way? • Is the motivation because of emotion (love, hate) or a decision (revenge, promotion)?

Behavior/Actions • Does the character act in a certain way consistently? • Or is the character erratic?

Describing Character Relationships Weaknesses/Faults • With other characters in the story • How others see/react to him/her • Typical tragic weakness is pride • Could be anything: dishonesty, corruption, greed, etc.

Conflict in the Story • Man vs. society/religion • Man vs. man/antagonist • Man vs. nature • Man vs. fate/destiny • Man vs. self

Connection to Purpose • Once you analyze a character for his or her actions, motivations, conflicts, development, etc, think about what purpose they serve in the bigger picture of the play. • Why did Miller include the characters he did and present them in the way he did? What do the characters represent? How are they symbolic? What are they telling us about humanity? How is this connected to his purpose for writing? I know, your brain hurts…this is where you have to think!!!!

Thesis • Your thesis will connect your characters to Miller’s purpose. • BAD: The Crucible had many characters that supported Miller’s purpose. • GOOD: Miller’s purpose was to __________ and he demonstrates this through the characters of _____, ______, & _______. • GOOD: Miller’s purpose was to ___________ and this is evident when he portrays the human traits of ______, _______, & ____ in the character(s) (if only one, include name – if more than one character, it’s too listy!) in The Crucible.

Paragraph Structure Review Two-Chunk Body Paragraph • Sent. #1 -Topic Sentence – TS • Sent. #2 – Concrete Detail CD– Introduce QUOTE (Give context, speaker, etc) & include quote. You can always shorten it – see additional notes – EMBED!!) • Sent. #3 – Commentary CM - (This shows that…) • Sent. #4 – CM – (It also indicates…OR …This is because…OR… This is important because…) – SO WHAT!? Connect back to author’s purpose/theme. • REPEAT with 2 nd CD (#5) & 2 CMs (Sentences 6 & 7) • Sent. #8 – Concluding Sentence – CS – Sums it up and ties back to thesis (As a result, …). Transitions to next body paragraph (all but last body paragraph)