1. 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.

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. Mercy Lewis Putnam’s servant
Abigail’s friend almost “second in command” in the crying out
she “cries out” at the trials

14. 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

15. 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

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

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

18. 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.

19. Giles Corey and Martha CoreyHe
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.

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

21. Sarah Good
Accused witch
Is pregnant

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

23. 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

24. The Crucible
The Setting

25. 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.

26. The Motives
Fear
Self-preservation
Spite and malice

27. 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.

28. 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.

29. 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.