The Crucible characters

John Proctor*

John Proctor*

Doesn't attend church regularly; Doesn't like Parris
Affair with Abigail Williams; Dedicated to mending marriage; led to death as he came out

Elizabeth Proctor*

Victim in witch hunt- due to Abigail WIlliams vengeance
Dedicated wife and mother; clear conscience and is loyal to her husband; Fires Abigail Williams

Reverend Parris*

The minister of Salem's church. Reverend Parris is a paranoid, power-hungry, yet oddly self-pitying figure. Many of the townsfolk, especially John Proctor, dislike him, and Parris is very concerned with reputation and the deed to his house

Abigail Williams*

Parris' niece. She instigates the witch trials by falsely accusing others of witchcraft. She pretends to see spirits and instructs the other girls to pretend as well. Had an affair with John Proctor and seeks his wife as a witch

Reverend Hale

A sensible man- expert of witchcraft(supernatural) as he is educated
Denounces the court
Goes to town to look at Betty, Sets hysteria in motion

Giles Corey

Farmer; comical old man
Innocently asks Reverend Parris about why his wife reads
Condemns wife; Is crushed to death;

Rebecca Nurse

She is one of the most respected individuals in Salem because of her kindness and charity. She argues against the witch trial investigations. Mrs. Putnam accuses her of witchcraft.

Tituba*

In 40's; from Barbados; said to be able to speak to spirits, slave

Marry Warren*

Servant to the Proctors. She goes along with Abigail and the girls by falsely accusing others of witchcraft; tries to convince Abigail to turn herself in

Ann Putnam*

Wife of Thomas Putnam; first plants the idea that Betty has been bewitched; blames witches for her 7 dead children

Thomas Putnam*

Prominent landowner; entitled to wield influence and hates others who don't like him, exploits witch hunt to gain lands, disputes with Giles Corey about land

Mercy Lewis*

Joins Abigail in the calling out of people

Betty Paris*

Wants to fly to her mother, daughter of Reverend Parris

Ruth Putnam*

Ask Tituba to talk to her Baby sister's souls

Martha Corey

She reads books in secret, Giles condemns her to witchcraft

Sarah Good

First accused of witchcraft by Betty, In the end of chapter when they are listing names

Sarah Osborne(Goody Osborne)

Midwife to Ann Putnam, called out by Betty for witchcraft

Goody

term used for a married woman

Vindictive

intense, unreasoning desire for revenge

Calumny

the making of false statements with the intent to harm

Defamation

abusive attack on a person's character or good name

Paradox

A statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth.

Prodigious

remarkably or impressively great in extent, size, or degree

arbitrate

to judge a dispute between two opposing parties

Deference

courteous expression of regard; humble respect

Dissembling

Disguising one's real nature or motives

ingratiate

to make oneself agreeable and thus gain favor or acceptance of others

iniquity

sin; evil act

lascvious

driven by lust

malevolent

wishing or appearing to wish evil to others

Contiguous

(adj.) side by side, touching; near; adjacent in time

Fathom

to understand

Ascertain

find (something) out for certain; make sure of

Scoff

(v.) to make fun of; to show contempt for

inculcate

to impress on the mind by repetition, teach persistently and earnestly

Malign

(v.) to speak evil of, slander; (adj.) evil

Propriety

the state of being proper, appropriateness; standards of what is proper or socially acceptable