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An Overview of the Characters in The Crucible

The “bones” of this keynote were taken from a Powerpoint on quia.com. This includes the pictures and the framing of the slides. I changed the theme, moved the slides around, and rewrote the content to meet our class’ needs. See the “Works Cited” slide to find out how you can link to the original Powerpoint.

John Proctor Farmer who lives

outside of town Married to Elizabeth Often the voice of

reason in the play Good man with human

weaknesses, and a distaste for hypocrisy

However, he has a guilty secret: his affair with Abigail

Worries about his name

Elizabeth Proctor John Proctor’s wife Known for virtue: has never told a lie Fired Abigail as their servant when she sound

out about the affair between her husband and Abigail

Cold toward her husband, doesn’t feel that she deserves him, and she feels responsible for his affair

Abigail wants to destroy her

Abigail Williams Was the Proctor’s

servant Orphaned niece of

Reverend Parris Proctor’s mistress The leader of the girls

in the accusations Vindictive, tries to

destroy Elizabeth Smart, good liar

Mary Warren Replaced Abigail as the Proctor’s servant

when Abigail was fired by Elizabeth Teenager Member of the group of girls who “cry out” Timid, easily swayed and weak Fears Abigail even more than wrongdoing

Reverend Parris Minister in Salem who is worried about

building up his reputation in the community Power hungry Discovers the girls dancing Not well-liked Betty’s dad Abigail’s uncle

Betty Parris Parris’s young daughter Afraid of her father Falls into a stupor after

Parris discovers them dancing

Follower: weak, scared, and easily falls in line behind Abigail

TitubaParris’s slave From BarbadosThe lowest person in Salem’s societyLeads the girls in dancing in the woodsFirst named witchDue to pressure and fear, admits to

“consorting with the Devil” and names others as witches

Rev. Hale Reverend from a

nearby town (Beverly) Is a recognized

“authority” on witchcraft and is brought in to examine the girls and continues his investigation

Young, idealist: he sees himself as a scientist and a philosopher

at first sees the world in black and white

Putnam (Thomas Putnam) Ann’s husband, Ruth’s dad One of the richest, most influential men in

town, but he doesn’t feel respected Holds a grudge against Francis Nurse for his

brother-in-law not being elected to be the minister

Leading voice against the witches Only one of his eight children has lived

Mrs. Putnam (Ann)Thomas’ wifeSeven out of her eight children have

died. Only Ruth survives.Bitter like her husband.First to suggest that Betty was

bewitched.Her brother is Bayley, the Nurses were

opposed to him becoming the minister

Ruth Putnam

The only one of Thomas and Ann Putnam’s children to survive longer than a day

a child in a stupor at the beginning after Parris

has seen them dancing involved in the “crying out” at the trials

Mercy LewisPutnam’s servantAbigail’s friend almost “second in

command” in the crying outshe “cries out” at the trials

Danforth Deputy Governor of

Massachusetts who is taken in by the testimony

presides at the witch trials

believes he is right in rooting out witchcraft

HathorneOne of the judges at the trialArrogant

He believes the Puritan government is absolutely right and just

believes his wisdom and justice comes from the government

HerrickAn official of the court who acts as the

jailkeeperMarshal of Salem

CheeverClerk of Court for witch trials Is determined to do his duty for justiceResponsible for arresting the accused

witches

Rebecca and Francis NurseRebecca NurseHusband and wifeHe is a wealthy farmer and landowner. He is good, but people are jealousHe fights with Putnam over landShe is respected because she is a good

Christian and has good senseShe is a MidwifeThey both were involved with keeping

Putnam’s brother-in-law from becoming the minister.

Giles Corey and Martha CoreyHe

is 83 years old, but still feisty is brave and moralknows the law. He has brought

numerous lawsuits against neighbors before the courts

Martha is his third wife. She likes to read.

Goody OsborneMidwife at birth of three Putnam babies

who were born dead

Sarah GoodAccused witch Is pregnant

SusannaDoctor’s messenger Involved in the “crying out”

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Works Cited Note: The “bones” of this Keynote are from the following

site, although I edited the bulleted points and moved around the slides for our specific class needs. You can go to the following website to see the original presentation:

Baldwin, Jodi. "Crucible Test Review." Quia.com. IXL Learning, n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2013.

The Crucible

The Setting

Act One, Setting and SummaryAct One takes place in the home of

Reverend Parris. Conflicts, resentments, and motives for accusing others all surface in this act, which begins with witchcraft and ends with a chilling “crying out” of those who supposedly kept company with the devil. The tragedy of Salem is set in motion.

The MotivesFearSelf-preservationSpite and malice

Act Two, Setting and SummaryAct Two is set in the home of the

Proctors as the Salem troubles visit their doorstep. We learn that Abigail has accused Elizabeth of witchcraft. Haunted by Abigail’s accusation as a consequence of his affair, John Proctor must decide if he has the courage to publicly admit his affair in order to save his wife.

Act Three, Summary and SettingSet in the Salem courtroom, the Third

Act reveals that Justice is not always as it is depicted. As characters with varying and often opposing motives take the stand, it becomes clear that the search for justice can be affected by human impulses, both ill and well meant.

Act Four, Summary and SettingThe setting turns to the jail as the

morning of John’s execution arrives. The judges force John to decide whether he will live or die. Proctor must search his soul to discover if he is strong enough to face death rather than to be dishonest. In the end, he finds goodness in himself by choosing to die rather than to be dishonest.