The Crucible - Arthur Miller

ARTHUR MILLER»

(1915 – 2005)

• Considered one of the greatest dramatists of the twentieth century

• The Crucible, All My Sons, Death of a Salesmen

• Married to Marylin Monroe (2nd marriage)• Social Critic

The Crucible - - Character Overview• John Proctor: Pious farmer; respected; “hero”

• Elizabeth Proctor: John’s Wife; Victim of adultery

• Rev. Parris: New Salem minister; Authority figure; greedy; power-hungry

• Abigail Williams: Rev. Parris’ niece; antagonist; Leads the “crying out”

• Betty Parris: Rev. Parris’ daughter; First to display signs of witchcraft

• Tituba: Parris’ slave from Barbados; accused of witchcraft

• Ann Putnam: Has had seven babies die• Thomas Putnam: Ann’s husband; land hungry

accuser

• Rebecca Nurse: 72 yr. old voice of reason; pious, respected woman; accused

• Giles Corey; 83 yrs. old; comical figure; tries to save wife and others accused

• Martha Corey: Giles’ wife; accused• Deputy Governor Danforth:

Authority on the Law; Dry, Strict Puritan ruler; oversees the proceedings

• Hathorne: Salem judge• Mary Warren: Proctors’ servant girl;

one of the girls who cries out

The Crucible - - Character Overview ctd.

Central Themes

• PRIDE and INTEGRITY• FEAR and HYSTERIA• AUTHORITY and ABUSE OF AUTHORITY

• PURITAN ETHICS

Key Insights to Ponder

1) It's better to fail with honor than succeed as a fraud.

2) Lies may be truth, and truth may be lies3) When good men do nothing, evil can triumph.4) One error can lead up to many errors. 5) The truth shall set you free.6) A lie told often enough becomes the truth.7) Saving one’s image is not worth the lives of innocent people. 8) Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.