The Crucible Act I Characters Parris The recently

The Crucible Act I Characters

Parris The recently appointed minister in Salem and father of Betty Parris. § Parris is dogmatic in his opinions, intolerant of opposition, and suspicious of those whom he does not like. § His belief in witches and his desire to punish his enemies set in motion the chain of events that leads to the hysteria in Salem. § During the witch trials, he pressures Danforth, the chief judge, to punish those who, in his opinion, are possessed or in league with the Devil. §

Tituba n. The black slave of Reverend Parris, believed to be practicing witchcraft. n. She is from Barbados.

Abigail n Reverend Parris' niece. n An intelligent, resourceful, and highly mischievous girl of seventeen, Abigail is the natural leader of the other girls in Salem. n She instigates the witch trials by falsely accusing others of witchcraft. n She pretends to see spirits and instructs the other girls to pretend as well. n She is also infatuated with John Proctor and keen to take Elizabeth's place.

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

Thom. AS Putnam n A rich, unscrupulous farmer who is out to expand his land holdings by any means. n He systematically accuses his neighbors of witchcraft so that he might purchase their lands after they hang. n He is manipulative, close-minded, and domineering. n He expects everybody to respect him and accept his opinions.

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

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

Mary Warren n The young maidservant of the Proctors. n Although Mary is honest and well-intentioned toward the Proctors, when faced with the prospect of suffering, her sense of selfpreservation overrides her natural goodness. n She is very much afraid of Abigail and also does not want to be cut off from the other young girls.

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

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

Giles Corey n Elderly inhabitant of Salem. n A sincere, well-intentioned, though cantankerous, old farmer. n He is frank and forthright in his thinking and utterances. n He is on good terms with John Proctor and Francis Nurse.

Proctor n A young, upright, outspoken, successful farmer in Salem. n He loves and respects his wife and is repentant of the one act of adultery he has committed with Abigail Williams, his former servant. n He resents the greediness and holier-thanthou attitude of Reverend Parris and, therefore, invites his wrath and suspicion.

Rev. Hale n A minister from the nearby town of Beverly who is called by Reverend Parris to investigate his suspicions of witchcraft in Salem. n As he becomes aware of Abigail's, Parris', and Hathorne's hidden agendas, he begins to question the validity of the trials, in which he acts as a judge. n He then tries to convince Danforth of the truth, but lacks the courage and conviction to openly oppose him.