The Crucible By Arthur Miller An introduction To: Characterizations

Introductory Information Written by Arthur Miller 1953 A fictional recreation of the Salem witch trials, their origins, and a psychological investigation of the act of persecution and McCarthyism. Began investigations into Miller’s “Communist activities” by Senator McCarthy

Main Characters of The Crucible Physical Description Personality Traits Actions Motivations Opinion

Reverend Parris Mid-40s Widower with children Not a bad father, just did not understand children Lacked control in his household Paranoid and self-pitying Concerned with what others think of him Power-hungry Disliked by parishioners Hostile

Betty Parris 10 year old daughter of Reverend Parris Falls into “stupor” After father caught her dancing in the woods Her illness sparks rumors of witchcraft

Abigail Williams Orphaned Niece of Rev. Parris “Strikingly beautiful” Smart and cunning “Dissembling” Hides true feelings and motives Vindictive Mysterious rumors about her purity Leader of the group

Tituba Rev. Parris’ slave From Barbados Cares about the children Is the first accused of witchcraft Confesses and repents

John Proctor Mid 30s Successful farmer Even-tempered and easy going Thinks for himself Often seen as a loner Respected in Salem Logical and tolerant Sees himself as a sinner

Elizabeth Proctor John Proctor’s wife “Sickly” Virtuous Cold Eager to please her husband Timid Avoids conflict Often sad

Mary Warren 17 years old Proctor’s servant Lonely Easily influenced by others Worried

Thomas Putnam 50 years old Eldest son of richest man in Salem Wealthy Landowner Fights with others over land Greedy Nosy Jumps to conclusions Vindictive Little concern for others

Ann Putnam 45 years old Thomas’ wife “Haunted” and “twisted soul” Lost 7 infants Blames others for misfortunes Nosy

Ruth Putnam Thomas and Ann’s daughter Only surviving daughter Falls into stranger stupor After Rev. Parris found dancing in woods Like her “soul was taken”

Reverend John Hale 40 years old from Beverly Specialist in demonology Intellectual Reserves judgment Sensible His arrival sets the hysteria in motion

Mercy Lewis 18 years old Girl in Abigail’s group “Fat” Sly and merciless Apathetic “Beat” Ruth when ill

Francis Nurse Respected in the town Self-made man Serves as unofficial judge for disputes Self-made man Resented by others Target of jealousy Enemy of Thomas Putnam

Rebecca Nurse 72 years old Francis’ wife Gentle, caretaker Calm and strong Experienced Believes “sickness” just boredom of teenage girls Reasonable Wants peace and tolerance in Salem

Giles Corey 83 years old “Comical Hero” Cranky Deeply innocent Ignorant and uneducated

Martha Corey Giles’ third wife Enjoys reading Leads to her accusation of witchcraft

Ezekiel Cheever Clerk of the court Upright citizen Determine to perform duty for court

Deputy Governor Danforth 60 years old Grave Allows humor Still business-like Great respect for court Honest True Puritan Believes he is doing what is right Sense of Justice

Judge Hathorne Presides over the witch trials Rushes to judgment Impatient Partial and unfair