VERSION B · Bac pro · B1 (lighter version)

Session 2: Rumours in the village

Part 2. How does a rumour spread?

Objectives

Warm-up

Chain whisper: one sentence goes around the class. What changed?

Documents

The characters. John Proctor is a farmer. Elizabeth is his wife. Abigail worked for them and loves John. Elizabeth sent her away. Now Abigail accuses Elizabeth of witchcraft.
"Is the accuser always holy now? Were they born this morning as clean as God's fingers?"
Arthur Miller, The Crucible (1953), Act II, John Proctor

Activities

  1. Match the character and the description.
  2. Why does Abigail accuse Elizabeth? Jealousy, revenge or fear?
  3. Small task: a village meeting.

More activities

Character cards: faith and power in Salem

Each group receives one card and presents it: role in Salem, what the character wants, what the character fears, one link to faith or power.

CharacterRoleWantsFears
Reverend Parrisminister of Salemrespect and a secure positiona scandal in his own house
Abigail Williamshis niece, once the Proctors' servantJohn Proctorpunishment for the forest dance
John Proctorfarmerto protect his family and his namehis secret being revealed
Elizabeth Proctorhis wifehonesty and trustAbigail
Thomas and Ann Putnamrich landownersland and influencelosing status
Reverend Haleexpert in witchcraftto find the Devilfailing in his mission
Rebecca Nurserespected old womanpeace and common sensemadness in the village

Character map and 'who accuses whom' chart

Draw a map of Salem: put the characters in circles, and draw arrows for love, conflict, land and accusation. Then complete the chart as you read and update it after each act.

AccuserAccusedActReal motive?
AbigailTitubaIto save herself
TitubaSarah Good and othersI...
AbigailElizabeth ProctorII...
Mary WarrenJohn ProctorIII...

Act II: the Commandments

Hale asks Proctor to say the Ten Commandments. Proctor forgets one: adultery. Elizabeth reminds him.

  1. Which commandment does Proctor forget?
  2. Why is it a problem for him?
Sentence starters
  • Proctor forgets...
  • It is a problem because...
Answer key
  1. Adultery.
  2. Because he had an affair with Abigail: the audience knows his secret.

Writing: a character diary entry

Choose Elizabeth, Mary Warren or Reverend Hale. Write a diary entry at the end of Act II (A: 180 words, B: 80 words): what happened today, what your character feels, what your character fears for tomorrow. Write as the character, never about yourself.

Sentence starters
  • Dear Diary, today...
  • I cannot believe that...
  • I am afraid that tomorrow...
  • If only...

Sentence starters

Role play

Groups of four: a village meeting. Two villagers believe the rumours, two ask for proof. Everyone speaks twice.

Gap-fill worksheet

QR code to this worksheet
Word bank: farmer, wife, jealous, rumour, proof, revenge
  1. John Proctor is a ______.
  2. Elizabeth is his ______.
  3. Abigail is ______ of Elizabeth.
  4. A ______ is a story without proof.
  5. We need ______.
  6. Abigail wants ______.
Answer key
  1. farmer
  2. wife
  3. jealous
  4. rumour
  5. proof
  6. revenge

Homework

Write four sentences: what Abigail wants and why.

Watch the film at home

The Crucible (1996), directed by Nicholas Hytner. In France, the film is called La Chasse aux sorcières.

  1. Where to watch: see the list of streaming and rental options on JustWatch France.
  2. DVD: ask at your local library or médiathèque.
  3. Official trailer: on the Apple TV page of the film.
  4. Scenes to watch: Act I: the girls dance in the forest at night (the opening of the film). Act II: the officers arrest Elizabeth at home. Act III: in court, the girls turn against Mary Warren. Act IV: Proctor tears his confession and walks to the gallows.

Watch with English subtitles if you can.

Assessment grid

CriteriaLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4
SpeakingSilentShortClearClear and convincing
VocabularyFew wordsSomeGoodMany words

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