The Crucible By Arthur Miller

1. The CrucibleBy Arthur Miller An introduction To: Characterizations

2. 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

3. Main Characters of The Crucible

4. Reverend Parris • Mid-40s • Widower with children • Not a bad father, just did not understand children • Lacked control in hishousehold • Paranoid and self-pitying • Concerned with what othersthink of him • Power-hungry • Disliked by parishioners • Hostile

5. 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

6. 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

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

8. 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

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

10. Mary Warren • 17 years old • Proctor’s servant • Lonely • Easily influencedby others • Worried

11. 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

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

13. 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”

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

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

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

17. 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

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

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

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

21. 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

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