1. THE CRUCIBLE
NOTES FOR UNIT TEST

2. John Proctor Local farmer
Scorns the hypocrisy of others but is himself guilty of adultery
Wants to denounce Abigail as a liar but fears that she will reveal their affair to the town

3. Abigail Williams 17 year-old niece of Reverend Parris
Had an affair with John Proctor
Fired by Elizabeth, John’s wife
Intelligent, deceitful, and vengeful

4. Reverend Samuel Parris
The minister of Salem’s church
Disliked by many in the town
Preaches sermons to condemn, not to uplift
Paranoid but proud; desires control of others

5. Elizabeth Proctor John Proctor’s wife
Righteous but cold-hearted at times
Would never lie for herself but tells a lie to protect John

6. Thomas Putnam Rich Salem landowner
Angry that he is one of 9 sons but has only one daughter
Takes advantage of the witch trials by accusing people and then buying their land

7. Ann Putnam Thomas Putnam’s wife Has lost 7 of her 8 children
Is convinced that her children’s deaths were caused by evil spirits
Blames Goody Osburn, the midwife

8. Giles Corey Old, stubborn farmer Fond of filing lawsuits
Held in contempt of court
Pressed to death with heavy stones when he refuses to answer charges of witchcraft by pleading “aye” (guilty) or “nay” (not guilty)

9. Martha Corey Giles’s wife
Has sharp words for a farmer who neglected the pigs she sold to him
Arrested and convicted of witchcraft

10. Betty Parris Rev. Parris’s 10 year-old daughter
Falls into a strange trance after a night in the forest with Tituba and some local village girls

11. Ruth Putnam Thomas and Ann’s only child; 8 years old
Falls into a strange trance after a night in the forest with Tituba and some local village girls

12. Tituba
Slave woman who was brought to America from Barbados by Rev. Parris
Convinced by Abigail to perform voodoo ceremonies in the forest at night
Mrs. Putnam sent Ruth to Tituba to conjure the spirits of her dead infants

13. Mary Warren Shy servant girl in the Proctor household
Was with the village girls and Tituba in the forest
Tries to tell the truth but reverts to lies under pressure

14. Mercy Lewis Was with the village girls and Tituba in the forest
Seems to have no pity for the anguish of the accused
Seems to have left her dress in the woods

15. Susanna Walcott Was with the other girls in the forest
Her father accuses Martha Corey of witchcraft over some pigs

16. Francis Nurse Rich and respected Salem resident
An enemy of Thomas and Ann Putnam

17. Rebecca Nurse Francis Nurse’s wife
Beloved by Salem for her wisdom and kindness
Is accused by the Putnams of being a witch
Refuses to confess

18. Reverend John Hale
Young minister; considered an expert in exposing witchcraft
Extremely intelligent and truly devout in his Christian faith
At first denounces the accused
Tries to save the lives of the accused when he becomes convinced of their innocence

19. Judge Danforth & Judge Hathorne
Presiding judges at the Salem witch trials
Honestly believe they are doing the right thing in condemning the prisoners who refuse to confess
Hathorne—described as “bitter” and “remorseless”
Danforth—described as “a grave man of some humor and sophistication”

20. Herrick The marshal of Salem
Knows and likes many of his fellow townspeople; tries to treat them well in jail

21. Ezekiel Cheever Serves as clerk of court during the trials
Tries hard to do his duty