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The Crucible. By Arthur Miller. The more I read into the Salem panic, the more it touched off corresponding ages of common experiences in the fifties.” Arthur Miller. THEMES. Every individual is responsible for doing the right thing.
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The Crucible By Arthur Miller
The more I read into the Salem panic, the more it touched off corresponding ages of common experiences in the fifties.” Arthur Miller
THEMES • Every individual is responsible for doing the right thing. • When societal institutions engage in wrong doing, it is the responsibility of each individual to do what is right, not expedient. • Many times, people have personal motives that are not apparent.
Reverend Parris –Minister in Salem. He believes a faction plans to force him to leave Salem. He uses trials to strengthen his authority. • Betty Parris –his daughter/He discovers her dancing in the woods. She lies inert in bed through most of the first act.
Abigail Williams- Niece of Parris who instigates witch trials with false accusations. Pretends to see spirits and instructs other girls to do the same.
Tituba – Parris’ black slave. He discovers her casting spells and making potions with girls in the woods.
Mrs. Ann Putnam – Wife of Thomas Putnam. She believes a witch is responsible for deaths of her seven infants. Her jealousy of Rebecca (Goody) Nurse leads her to accuse her of witch craft. • Mr.Thomas Putnam-The eldest son of Salem’s wealthiest man,he is a greedy landowner who is a principal accuser. He seeks revenge and the possibility of taking the land of those who hang.
Ruth Putnam – Their “afflicted” daughter who also accused individuals of witchcraft. Putnam is heard to say that her accusations helped him to obtain land.
Mary Warren – Servant to the Proctors. Goes along with Abigail’s claims. • Mary Lewis – Servant to the Putnams. Pretends to see spirits and accuses others. • Susanna Walcott-Abigail’s friend. Falsely accuses others of witchcraft.
John Proctor-Salem farmer and former lover of Abigail. Non-churchgoer who openly denounces Parris. He believes that those crying “witch” have ulterior motives.
Rebecca Nurse – Gentle older woman. She and her husband Francis have eleven children and twenty-six grandchildren. They are both highly respected and trusted. Their family members were on the opposite side of a land dispute with the Putnams. She opposes the witch hunt, believes that the children are just going through a “phase” and suggests prayer and fasting.
Giles Cory- In his eighties, he is often accused of taking what does not belong to him. In truth, he is a very innocent soul, unaware how his confusion and lack of understanding will lead to tragedy. • Martha Cory – His wife. Giles speaks to Reverend Hale about her “readin’ a book” that he cannot identify.
Reverend Hale – Scholarly reverend from Beverly who strongly believes in the devil’s presence on earth, but also insists on proof. Like a doctor, Hale looks for the evidence (symptoms) that may help him diagnose witchcraft in a community. Thus, as a specialist, he is called into Salem Village.
Sarah Good – Salem beggar. She is the first to be accused of witchcraft byTituba. • Sarah Osborne – Also named by Tituba.
Elizabeth Proctor – his wife. She is a decent and honest woman who dismissed Abigail because of her affair with John.
