Notes after ACT I about The Crucible:
Cast of Characters
1. Thomas Putnam
A. ARROGANT/PROUD/HUBRISTIC…but why?
1. eldest son in the richest family in Salem
2. “regards himself as the intellectual superior of most around him” (14)
B. The people in Salem
1. brother-in-law, James Bayley, was supposed to be minister, but was stopped even though the vote seemed to be in his favor and he was well qualified (14)
i. “felt it poor payment [for fighting the Indians and being interested in parish affairs] that the village should so blatantly disregard his candidate [James Bayley]” (14)
2. Father’s Will—made a big deal about the money that was left to the step brother (15)
i. This is a slap in the face because the STEP brother isn’t even blood. During this time period, the eldest son (BLOOD) should get everything.
C. What are his flaws? HUBRIS and GREED
1. HUBRIS
i. On page 28, Proctor puts Putnam in his place when he tries to boss around Parris.
a. Putnam says “When Reverend Hale comes, you will proceed to look for witchcraft here.”
Proctor says, “You cannot command Mr. Parris. We vote by name, not by acreage.” This is an insult and a slap in Putnam’s face. This insinuates that his name means nothing.
2. GREED
i. also blames John for stealing wood (this starts conflict with Giles Corey) (31-32):
a. When Proctor cuts down lumber to fix his house from the land he purchased from Francis and Rebecca Nurse (they have over 300 acres and are well-liked and respected in Salem
b. Giles, who owns 600 acres of land himself, refuses to listen to Putnam’s accusations of John (32).
c. Putnam threatens to “claim a writ (legal document written by the court) on [Giles Corey]”
d. Quite possibly the person who accuses the Corey’s of witchcraft.
D. How does he react to this feeling of insignificance/disrespect? VENGEANCE
1. Known for “vindictive nature” even before witchcraft scenario
2. Burroughs’ Incident:
· former minister’s (the one that became minister instead of Bayley) wife dies
· he goes bankrupt to pay for the funeral because the church has no money to pay for him
· Putnam can only think of the money that the man owed; he jails him for this
i. Miller states: “the motif of resentment is clear here” (15), meaning that Thomas Putnam jails him to get back at him for the minister incident.
3. tries to plant seeds in Parris’ mind about John’s iniquity/disobedience (30-31):
i. Parris and Proctor argue about how Parris runs the church. When Parris says: “We are not Quakers here yet…you may tell that to your followers! There is a faction and a party [against me.]” John responds, “Against you?...Why, then I must find it and join it.” Putnam calls out “HE CONFESSED IT NOW!”
2. Abigail Williams
A. “ENDLESS CAPACITY FOR DISSEMBLING”
1. Because she is beautiful and charming, she is able to manipulate the entire village.
i. “My name is good in the village! I will not have it soiled” (12).
a. Speaking to Uncle Parris
ii. “You come out five mile to see a silly girl fly? I know you better” (22)
a. She says this to John to manipulate him and make him feel like he has to defend himself. She continues to push him to confess that he still desires/longs for her. This is not the case.
iii. At first, she calls upon Tituba (42), who calls upon Sarah Good. Abigail is able to manipulate the crowd into believing the people that have NO social status are guilty of witchcraft. This is all to cover up her charm to kill Goody Proctor (19).
B. How does she react to John’s multiple rejections? VENGEANCE
1. He “put knowledge in [her heart],” so when he says that he would “cut off [his] hand before he ever reach[es] for [her] again,” she “dr[inks] a charm to kill John Proctor’s wife” (24,23,19).
3. Reverend Parris
A. paranoid/concerned with his reputation/demands respect
1. “He cut a villainous path, and there is very little good to be said for him” (3).
2. Hates children (3):
i. Why is this ironic in terms of plot? uses Betty’s sickness as a way to show his authority by calling in a specialist, Hale, and by pretending to be worried about Betty.
3. Concerned with his reputation:
i. “He believed he was being persecuted wherever he went, despite his best efforts to win people and God to his side” (3).
4. Demands Respect
i. Feels unappreciated and undervalued, especially since he does not even have the deed to his house.
a. Would be annoyed if someone rose to shut the door without asking him.
b. Since he demands respect, both Betty and Tituba seem afraid of him. Also, Proctor thinks that he is far from a godly minister because he places too much emphasis on material things (i.e., wood) and striking fear into the parishioners about Hell and the Devil.
c. Putnam, who is below him in status, even disregards his authority by trying to boss him around.
B. What is his flaw? INSECURITY
1. His desire to be in control is not fulfilled because Abigail manipulates him, forcing him into a witchhunt to cover her spell. She also robs him.
2. Constantly changes his mind to agree with more intelligent and powerful people like Reverend Hale
Reverend Hale
A. comes off as self-righteous, but dedicated to ridding the world of evil
3. He thinks he is doing “good” and speaks as though his methods are logical and scientific, when in fact he uses wives' tales and mythology to root out so-called demons.
4. His one famous line: "We cannot look to superstition in this. The Devil is precise," should raise laughter, but it never does (Arthur Miller warns us of this—p. 33). At least in Miller's reckoning, the concept of the Devil is inherently superstitious.
5. “felt it poor payment [for fighting the Indians and being interested in parish affairs] that the village should so blatantly disregard his candidate [James Bayley]” (14)
6. “regards himself as the intellectual superior of most around him” (14)
B. appreciated and respected (Parris is more forceful in his attempt, but less appreciated and respected)
7. think of him as part of the Fringe entourage
8. travels to New England
C. What is his flaw? HAVEN’T FOUND OUT YET
Rebecca Nurse
A. Logical
1. “I hope you are not decided to go in search of loose spirits…I think we ought to rely on the doctor now, and good prayer…There is a prodigious danger in the seeking of loose spirits. I fear it…let us rather blame ourselves” (27-28). She is speaking to Parris and Putnam about the illogical aspect of the witchhunt.
2. Thinks that the children are just seeking attention and that we should just ignore them.
3. Tries to fix the argument between Putnam/Parris and Proctor. She tells Proctor: “You are another kind, John. Clasp his hand and make your peace.” She knows/senses the power they hold.
B. Wife of Frances Nurse:
1. He is called upon to “arbitrate disputes as though he were an unofficial judge” because everyone has a high opinion of him (and thus, her) (25-26).
C. How does she feel about the state of Salem
1. Seemed that there was a “systematic campaign against her” because of a “land war” primarily with Putnam (26).
2. The Nurse clan was the “faction that prevented Bailey from taking office” (26).
3. Putnam men sign a complaint against her (26).
4. Putnam’s daughter is the one who acts in a fit when Rebecca is mentioned in the court (ironic, eh?) (26.)
5. Mrs. Putnam claims that she “tempted her to iniquity.” Mrs. Putnam didn’t really understand the severity of the statement (26).
