1. The Crucible Arthur Miller

2. Minister of Salem church; paranoid, power-hungry and self-pitying; many people dislike him. Reverend Parris

3. Tituba Parris’s slave from Barbados; agrees to perform voodoo at Abigail’s request.

4. Reverend Parris’s niece; ex-servant of the Proctors; good liar; had an affair with John Proctor. Abigail Williams

5. Susanna Walcott  A younger member of Abigail’s band, a breathless, apprehensive girl

6. Ann Putnam Gave birth to 8 daughters, but only one survived; convinced they were murdered by the supernatural.

7. Thomas Putnam Wealthy influential citizen; holds grudge against Francis Nurse.

8. Mercy Lewis  Putnam’s plump 18-year-old servant who is a cruel and crafty disciple of Abigail

9. Mary Warren John Proctor’s servant and member of Abigail’s group.

10. Local farmer; stern, harsh- tongued; hates hypocrisy; husband of Elizabeth. John Proctor

11. John’s wife; virtuous and cold; fires Abigail. Elizabeth Proctor

12. Rebecca Nurse Wise, sensible, and upright; goes crazy after being accused of witchcraft.

13. Francis Nurse Wealthy, influential man in Salem; enemy of Thomas Putnam and his wife.

14. Giles Corey Feisty farmer of Salem; famous for filing lawsuits.

15. Reputed to be an expert on witchcraft; hates witchcraft; called to examine people of the town. Reverend John Hale

16. Ezekiel Cheever  A blustery but uncertain court official, who serves warrants and dutifully recalls damaging statements made by men like Proctor in opposing the mass arrests

17. Marshall Herrick  Another official of the court, in his 30s, a compassionate man, who regretfully obeys the laws and takes Elizabeth and others to jail

18. Judge Danforth Deputy Governor of Massachusetts; honest and thinks he is right by rooting out witchcraft.

19. Sarah Good  An old Salem woman, ragged and confused, who confesses promptly when accused and therefore shares wild visions with Tituba in jail

20. Hopkins  A guard at the Salem jail

21. Ruth Putnam Putnams’ lone surviving child; caught dancing in the woods at night.

22. Betty Parris 10-years-old; caught dancing with Tituba

23. Martha Corey Corey’s third wife; reading habits lead to her arrest.

24. Definition of a Crucible  A crucible is literally a container used in the process of heating and melting metals. When subjected to great heat while in such a container, the more valuable metals are separated from the baser. When used figuratively, the word “crucible” means a hard test and or a severe trial. 

25. Themes  Can “normal” people be evil?  Can rumors cause hysteria?  Can the truth come out when some refuse to see it?

26. Themes continued  Can common sense prevail during hysteria?  Can people be too opinionated to see the real truth?  Can people see their own sin as well as sins of others?  Can you live a good life without moral integrity, human dignity or spiritual freedom?