the crucible by arthur miller

AN INTRODUCTION TO:

CHARACTERIZATIONS

The CrucibleBy Arthur Miller

Introductory Information

Written by Arthur Miller1953

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

Character

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 thechildren

Is the first accused of witchcraft Confesses and repents

John Proctor

Mid 30sSuccessful farmerEven-tempered and

easy goingThinks for himself

Often seen as a loner

Respected in SalemLogical and tolerantSees himself as a

sinner

Elizabeth Proctor

John Proctor’s wife

“Sickly”VirtuousColdEager to please her

husbandTimid

Avoids conflict

Often sad

Mary Warren

17 years old

Proctor’s servant

Lonely

Easily influencedby others

Worried

Thomas Putnam

50 years oldEldest son of richest

man in SalemWealthy Landowner

Fights with others over land

GreedyNosy

Jumps to conclusions

Vindictive Little concern for others

Ann Putnam

45 years oldThomas’ 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 judgmentSensible

His arrival sets the hysteria in motion

Mercy Lewis

18 years oldGirl in Abigail’s group“Fat”

Sly and merciless

Apathetic

“Beat” Ruth when ill

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

Rebecca Nurse

72 years oldFrancis’ wifeGentle, caretakerCalm and strongExperienced

Believes “sickness” just boredom of teenage girls

Reasonable Wants peace and

tolerance in Salem

Giles Corey

83 years old“Comical Hero”CrankyDeeply innocentIgnorant 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 oldGraveAllows humor

Still business-like

Great respect for courtHonestTrue 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