Index Character quoteSymbols Reflections

The Crucible

by Arthur Miller

Characters

Character's Name Role in Story Significance Adjectives
John Proctor He was a landowner in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He was hanged on August 19, 1692 in Salem Village, Massachusetts Bay Colony during the Salem Witch Trials after being falsely accused and convicted for witchcraft He has a hidden sin, his affair with Abigail that proves his downfall. Brave and impulsive
Abigail Williams Abigail is vengeful, selfish, manipulative, and a magnificent liar. This young lady seems to be uniquely gifted at spreading death and destruction wherever she goes. She has an eerie sense of how to manipulate others and gain control over them. All these things add up to make her an awesome antagonist. Abigail played a major role in the Salem Witch trials as one of the prominent accusers. aggressive and selfish
Francis Nurse Francis Nurse is a good man and a good husband who has the courage to stand up to the court and say that the judge and governor have been deceived. A wealthy, influential man in Salem. Nurse is well respected by most people in Salem, but is an enemy of Thomas Putnam and his wife. Nurse is well respected man in Salem sensible
Reverend Parris The minister of Salem’s church. Reverend Parris is a paranoid, power-hungry, yet oddly self-pitying figure. Many of the townsfolk, especially John Proctor, dislike him, and Parris is very concerned with building his position in the community. He is a power hungry. Many of the townfolk especially John Proctor dislike him greedy and vengeful
Reverend Hale A young minister reputed to be an expert on witchcraft. Reverend Hale is called in to Salem to examine Parris’s daughter Betty. Hale is a committed Christian and hater of witchcraft. His critical mind and intelligence save him from falling into blind fervor. His arrival sets the hysteria in motion, although he later regrets his actions and attempts to save the lives of those accused. His critical mind and intelligence save him from falling into blind fervor. Hale is committed Christian and hater of witchcraft compassionate
Elizabeth Proctor She is Proctor John wife. Elizabeth fired Abigail when she discovered that her husband was having an affair with Abigail. Elizabeth is supremely virtuous, but often cold. She is very supremely virtuous, but sometime cold virtuous
Tituba Reverend Parris’s black slave from Barbados. Tituba agrees to perform voodoo at Abigail’s request. She aggrees to perform voodoo at Abigail request. She affair of Abigail weak and changeable