The Crucible Characters

Reverend Parris

Minister in Salem. He believes a faction plans to force him to leave Salem, so he attempts to strengthen his authority through the witch trial proceedings.

Betty Parris

Parris' daughter. Her father discovers her dancing in the woods, and she later accuses individuals of practicing witchcraft.

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.

Tituba

Parris' black slave. Parris discovers her casting spells and making potions with the girls in the woods.

Mrs. Ann Putnam

Wife of Thomas Putnam. She believes that a witch is responsible for the deaths of her seven infant children. Her jealousy of Rebecca Nurse leads her to accuse Goody Nurse of being a witch.

Thomas Putnam

A greedy landowner in Salem. He systematically accuses his neighbors of witchcraft so that he might purchase their lands after they hang.

Ruth Putnam

The Putnams' daughter. She accuses individuals of practicing witchcraft. A witness claims to have heard Putnam say Ruth's accusations helped him obtain land.

Mary Warren

Servant to the Proctors. She goes along with Abigail and the girls by falsely accusing others of witchcraft; however, she later admits that she was lying.

Mercy Lewis

Servant to the Putnams and friend to Abigail. She participates in the witch trials by pretending to see spirits and falsely accusing individuals of witchcraft.

John Proctor

Salem farmer and former lover of Abigail's. He openly denounces Parris and does not attend church.

Elizabeth Proctor

Wife of John Proctor. She is a decent and honest woman, who dismissed Abigail because of her affair with John Proctor.

Reverend Hale

Minister in Beverly. The people of Salem summon him to investigate Betty's condition and determine if witchcraft is responsible. He supports the witch trials, but later denounces them when he learns that Abigail is lying.

Rebecca Nurse

Wife of Francis 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.

Francis Nurse

Farmer and landowner in Salem. He is a respected member of the community often called upon to settle disagreements between individuals.

Susanna Walcott

Friend to Abigail. She also takes part in the trials by falsely accusing others of witchcraft.

Giles Corey

Elderly inhabitant of Salem. He challenges the court in an attempt to defend his wife who has been convicted of witchcraft. He is pressed to death as a result.

Sarah Good

Beggar in Salem. She is the first individual accused of witchcraft.

Judge Hathorne

A judge in the Salem court.

Deputy Governor Danforth

A special judge serving in the Salem court during the witch trials. He signs the death sentences for those individuals who refuse to confess their crimes. He refuses to delay any execution for fear that he will appear weak and irresolute.

Ezekial Cheever

Appointed by the court to assist in arresting accused individuals.

Marshal Herrick

Appointed by the court to arrest the accused individuals.

Hopkins

Jailer.

Theocracy

A government ruled by religious authority. (Puritans)

False

Puritans Celebrated Christmas

Death of a Salesman

Millers most famous play

Devil's

Salem folk believed that virgin forest was the _ last preserve.

Salem

forbade "vain" enjoyment; had to work hard to survive; meeting house in the center of town; people minded each other's business

Heathen

someone who does not accept god

True

Puritans were not allowed to read novels

Lucifer, Old Boy

other names for the Devil

diabolism

dealing with the Devil or evil spirits