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The Crucible By Arthur Miller. An introduction To: Characterizations. Introductory Information. Written by Arthur Miller 1953 A fictional recreation of the Salem witch trials, their origins, and a psychological investigation of the act of persecution and McCarthyism. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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AN INTRODUCTION TO:
CHARACTERIZATIONS
The CrucibleBy Arthur Miller
Introductory Information
Written by Arthur Miller1953
A fictional recreation of the Salem witch trials, their origins, and a psychological investigation of the act of persecution and McCarthyism.
Began investigations into Miller’s “Communist activities” by Senator McCarthy
Main Characters of The Crucible
Character
Physical Description
Personality Traits
Actions
Motivations
Opinion
Reverend Parris
• Mid-40s• Widower with children• Not a bad father, just did not
understand children• Lacked control in his
household
• Paranoid and self-pitying• Concerned with what others
think of him
• Power-hungry• Disliked by parishioners• Hostile
Betty Parris
10 year old daughter of Reverend Parris
Falls into “stupor” After father caught her
dancing in the woods
Her illness sparks rumors of witchcraft
Abigail Williams
• Orphaned• Niece of Rev. Parris• “Strikingly beautiful”• Smart and cunning• “Dissembling”• Hides true feelings and
motives
• Vindictive• Mysterious rumors
about her purity• Leader of the group
Tituba
Rev. Parris’ slave
From Barbados
Cares about thechildren
Is the first accused of witchcraft Confesses and repents
John Proctor
Mid 30sSuccessful farmerEven-tempered and
easy goingThinks for himself
Often seen as a loner
Respected in SalemLogical and tolerantSees himself as a
sinner
Elizabeth Proctor
John Proctor’s wife
“Sickly”VirtuousColdEager to please her
husbandTimid
Avoids conflict
Often sad
Mary Warren
17 years old
Proctor’s servant
Lonely
Easily influencedby others
Worried
Thomas Putnam
50 years oldEldest son of richest
man in SalemWealthy Landowner
Fights with others over land
GreedyNosy
Jumps to conclusions
Vindictive Little concern for others
Ann Putnam
45 years oldThomas’ wife
“Haunted” and “twisted soul” Lost 7 infants
Blames others for misfortunes
Nosy
Ruth Putnam
Thomas and Ann’s daughter
Only surviving daughter
Falls into stranger stupor After Rev. Parris found
dancing in woods Like her “soul was
taken”
Reverend John Hale
40 years old from Beverly
Specialist in demonology
Intellectual
Reserves judgmentSensible
His arrival sets the hysteria in motion
Mercy Lewis
18 years oldGirl in Abigail’s group“Fat”
Sly and merciless
Apathetic
“Beat” Ruth when ill
Francis Nurse
Respected in the town Serves as unofficial
judge for disputes
Self-made man Resented by others Target of jealousy
Enemy of Thomas Putnam
Rebecca Nurse
72 years oldFrancis’ wifeGentle, caretakerCalm and strongExperienced
Believes “sickness” just boredom of teenage girls
Reasonable Wants peace and
tolerance in Salem
Giles Corey
83 years old“Comical Hero”CrankyDeeply innocentIgnorant and
uneducated
Martha Corey
Giles’ third wife
Enjoys reading Leads to her accusation
of witchcraft
Ezekiel Cheever
Clerk of the court
Upright citizen
Determine to perform duty for court
Deputy Governor Danforth
60 years oldGraveAllows humor
Still business-like
Great respect for courtHonestTrue Puritan
Believes he is doing what is right
Sense of Justice
Judge Hathorne
Presides over the witch trials
Rushes to judgment
Impatient
Partial and unfair
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