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

Tituba Parris’s slave From Barbados The lowest person in Salem’s society Leads the girls in dancing in the woods First named witch Due 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’ wife Seven 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 Lewis Putnam’s servant Abigail’s friend almost “second in command” in the crying out she “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

Hathorne One of the judges at the trial Arrogant He believes the Puritan government is absolutely right and just believes his wisdom and justice comes from the government

Herrick An official of the court who acts as the jailkeeper Marshal of Salem

Cheever Clerk of Court for witch trials Is determined to do his duty for justice Responsible for arresting the accused witches

Rebecca and Francis Nurse Rebecca Nurse Husband and wife He is a wealthy farmer and landowner. He is good, but people are jealous He fights with Putnam over land She is respected because she is a good Christian and has good sense She is a Midwife They both were involved with keeping Putnam’s brother-in-law from becoming the minister.

Giles Corey and Martha Corey He is 83 years old, but still feisty is brave and moral knows the law. He has brought numerous lawsuits against neighbors before the courts Martha is his third wife. She likes to read.

Goody Osborne Midwife at birth of three Putnam babies who were born dead

Sarah Good Accused witch Is pregnant

Susanna Doctor’s messenger Involved in the “crying out”

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 Summary Act 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 Motives Fear Self-preservation Spite and malice

Act Two, Setting and Summary Act 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 Setting Set 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 Setting The 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.