Introduction
Plot & Action
Plot summary: What happens in The Crucible?
Revision activity, Act One, Act Two, Act Three, Act FourAct One Pages 1–5: An overture
Summary, Why is this important?, Life in Salem, Reasons for the witch-hunt, Examiner's tip: Writing about Reverend ParrisPages 5–14: Betty is taken ill
Summary, Why is this important?, The supernatural: fear and denial, Slavery and prejudice, The Putnams are excited by the scandal, Examiner's tip: Writing about the girlsPages 14–17: Abigail, Mercy and Betty
Summary, Why is this important?, Revelations, Abigail’s history, Examiner's tip: Writing about the girls’ true naturesPages 16–19: Abigail and Proctor
Summary, Why is this important?, A strong man?, Abigail’s desperation, Examiner's tip: Writing about the end of the affairPages 19–26: Small-town politics
Summary, Why is this important?, Different responses to Betty’s illness, Discord in the parish, Examiner's tip: Writing about the feuding familiesPages 26–40: Reverend John Hale
Summary, Why is this important?, The expert, Abigail under pressure, Interrogation, Examiner's tip: Writing about the power of hysteriaAct Two Pages 41–5: John and Elizabeth Proctor
Summary, Why is this important?, An unhappy marriage, News of the court, Examiner's tip: Writing about John Proctor’s dilemmaPages 46–51: Mary Warren returns
Summary, Why is this important?, A change in Mary Warren, Is Elizabeth to be next?, Examiner's tip: Writing about vengeancePages 52–8: Hale and the Proctors
Summary, Why is this important?, Reverend Hale’s investigation, The importance of religion, Examiner's tip: Writing about Hale’s change of mindPages 58–66: Elizabeth is arrested
Summary, Why is this important?, Accusations and arrests, The truth about the poppet, Elizabeth’s arrest: a turning point, Examiner's tip: Writing about confusionAct Three Pages 67–79: John Proctor gives evidence
Summary, Why is this important?, Fear and hope, John Proctor’s motives are questioned, Examiner's tip: Writing about Giles Corey and PutnamPages 79–96: Mary confronts the girls
Summary, Why is this important?, Parris is uncomfortable, Elizabeth’s fatal error, The 'yellow bird' episode, Examiner's tip: Writing about the trialCharacters
John Proctor
Who is John Proctor?, What does John Proctor do in the play?, How is John Proctor described and what does it mean?, Examiner's tip: Writing about John ProctorElizabeth Proctor
Who is Elizabeth Proctor?, What does Elizabeth Proctor do in the play?, How is Elizabeth described and what does it mean?, Examiner's tip: Writing about Elizabeth ProctorReverend John Hale
Who is Reverend John Hale?, What does John Hale do in the play?, How is Reverend John Hale described and what does it mean?, Examiner's tip: Writing about Reverend John HaleAbigail Williams
Who is Abigail Williams?, What does Abigail do in the play?, How is Abigail described and what does it mean?, Examiner's tip: Writing about Abigail WilliamsMary Warren
Who is Mary Warren?, What does Mary Warren do in the play?, How is Mary Warren described and what does it mean?, Examiner's tip: Writing about Mary WarrenReverend Parris
Who is Reverend Parris?, What does Reverend Parris do in the play?, How is Reverend Parris described and what does it mean?, Examiner's tip: Writing about Reverend ParrisKey Contexts & Themes
Key contexts
The author, Witchcraft, Salem, Massachusetts, The Cold War, Examiner's tip: Writing about McCarthyism and The CrucibleLanguage & Structure
Language
Useful terms, The language characters speak, Examiner's tip: Writing about the influence of Latin, Christianity and the bible, The language of religion, Examiner's tip: Writing about language in contextGrade Booster
Understanding the question
Decoding the question, Understand exam language, 'Break down' the question, Know your literary language!Sitting the examination
Exam technique, Top tip: Before you start, Top tip: Writing your responses, Top tip: 'Key words' are the key!