The Crucible (2021)

Lesson 20
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ELA

Unit 12

10th Grade

Lesson 20 of 22

Objective


Explain what makes The Crucible a tragedy and John Proctor its tragic hero.

Readings and Materials


  • Article: “On Tragedy” by Aristotle 

  • Play: The Crucible by Arthur Miller 

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Target Task


Writing Prompt

According to Aristotle’s descriptions, what makes The Crucible a tragedy and John Proctor its tragic hero?

Key Questions


Questions for "On Tragedy."

  • What do you already know about tragedies based on reading you have done in the past
  • According to Aristotle’s second paragraph, how should a perfect tragedy be arranged?
  • According to his second paragraph, what two emotions should a tragedy make you feel?
  • What do you think Aristotle means by “change of fortune” in paragraph two? 
  • According to the second paragraph, what is wrong with a man going from “prosperity to adversity” or the other way around, “adversity to prosperity,” in a tragedy?
  • How should the character’s misfortune be brought about?
  • According to paragraph 3, describe the change of fortune a character should go through and what should cause this change.

Connections to The Crucible:

  • What happens to the villain of the play?
  • What causes Proctor’s downfall?
  • How is Proctor characterized throughout the play?
  • What makes him a tragic hero?

Notes


  • According to Aristotle, the villain should get away, which Abigail does. Additionally, the tragic hero is neither wholly good nor wholly bad—just like Proctor.
  • Lastly, the tragic hero’s own (often admirable) traits are what brings them down. In Proctor’s case, it is his honesty.
  • You can have students either write an answer to the Target Task question as an essay or use it for discussion.

Next

Explain the tone and author’s purpose of specific lines of the poem.

Draw connections to events in The Crucible.

Lesson 21
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