The Crucible Character Descriptions

Study Notes

Character Descriptions in "The Crucible"

Reverend Samuel Parris: Minister of Salem's church; power-hungry and paranoid, primarily concerned with his reputation and personal interests rather than his daughter's health or the welfare of others.
Betty Parris: Ten-year-old daughter of Reverend Parris; falls into a stupor after being caught dancing in the woods with other girls.
Tituba: Reverend Parris's 40-year-old slave from Barbados; coerced into performing rituals, eventually accused of witchcraft, leading to her mental instability.
Abigail Williams: Seventeen-year-old niece of Reverend Parris and primary antagonist; manipulates the other girls and seeks to replace Elizabeth Proctor, whom she views as her rival.
Susanna Walcott: Nervous and impulsive young girl; works for Dr. Griggs and participated in the forest ritual with Tituba.
Ann Putnam: Wife of Thomas Putnam; mother of eight children, all but one died shortly after birth; believes they were victims of supernatural forces.
Thomas Putnam: Wealthy Salem citizen with a personal vendetta against Francis Nurse; exploits the witch trials to accuse others and acquire their land.
Mercy Lewis: Servant to the Putnams; described as sly and merciless, fiercely loyal to Abigail throughout the chaos.
Mary Warren: Timid seventeen-year-old servant in the Proctor household; initially part of Abigail’s group but attempts to expose the falsehood and is ultimately overpowered by Abigail's influence.
John Proctor: Protagonist and local farmer in his mid-30s; struggles with his past infidelity with Abigail; despises hypocrisy but fears exposing Abigail due to his own hidden sins.
Rebecca Nurse: Wife of Francis Nurse; respected community figure known for her wisdom; accused of witchcraft by the envious Putnams and stands firmly against falsehood.
Giles Corey: Elderly farmer known for his litigious nature and friendship with John Proctor; pressed to death for refusing to plead in court, protecting his property and refusing to accuse others.
Reverend John Hale: Young minister summoned to Salem as an expert on witchcraft; initially fuels the hysteria but ultimately regrets his actions as he recognizes the truth.
Elizabeth Proctor: Wife of John Proctor; fired Abigail after learning of the affair; embodies virtue but has difficulty forgiving John, adding to familial tensions.
Francis Nurse: Wealthy, respected man in Salem; often in conflict with the Putnams, maintaining a strong moral standing within the community.
Ezekiel Cheever: A diligent but morally ambiguous character involved in the witch trials; more details on his character would further illuminate his role.

Description

Explore character descriptions from Arthur Miller's 'The Crucible' with this flashcard quiz. Delve into the traits and motivations of key figures like Reverend Samuel Parris and understand their roles in the Salem witch trials. Perfect for students studying the play or anyone interested in its themes.