Download The Crucible Essay

THE CRUCIBLE ESSAY
ESSAY 2
Foil is used throughout the play to provide striking contrasts
between two characters, which can reveal an important theme.
Write an essay exploring how either Abigail Williams and
Elizabeth Proctor, or Reverends Danforth and Hale are foils.
What character traits do each have which makes them foils to
each other? How do they change as the play progresses? Be sure
to demonstrate in your essay how the author uses foil to enhance
the meaning of the work. Support your analysis with concrete
evidence and insightful, well-developed commentary.
THESIS
Miller uses the striking contrasts between the characters
of Reverends Danforth and Hale in order to reveal the
theme that in a time of trial, rational thought cannot
stand against the impulsive actions of a fearful society.
SUPPORT
Commentary: shows how specific examples reveal a piece of the
thesis. It goes beyond plot by explaining what the text DOES.
(Plot merely tells me what the text SAYS in your own words.)
Ex: Write about events that juxtapose Hale’s and Danforth’s reactions to the
increasingly incredulous stories of witchcraft. Show Hale as rational, Danforth
as caught up in the “truth” of accusations without true evidence.
When Hale hears Proctor’s open confession of adultery, his logic and rational
thought force him to question the validity of the accusations. Although
Danforth is willing to listen to his testimony and question Proctor’s wife, he
quickly drops the inquiry based on Elizabeth’s refusal to damn Proctor. He
does not question the fact that he is asking a wife to testify against her
husband.
ANALYSIS
Analyze: This takes your commentary and explains what it
MEANS. What is the author’s purpose? New insight?
Hale’s change of heart is timely, but it is not enough to get
Danforth to change his focus on finding and punishing those
accused of witchcraft. He is already so deeply committed to the
cause that he cannot see reason. This reveals that in a time of
mass hysteria, an individual, no matter how rational, will not be
heard clearly above the chaos created by fear.