Character Quotes
"Reverend Parris, I have laid seven babies unbaptized in the earth...And yet, each would wither in my arms the very night of their birth."
Mrs. (Ann) Putnam
Only living daughter of the Putnams; was sick in a way that made her seem like she was sleepwalking
Ruth Putnam
Why is Betty "sick" or in a coma like state in the beginning? What caused this?
Parris jumped out of the bushes and "gave her a fright" when the girls were all in the forest.
"Abigail, I may think of you softly from time to time. But I will cut off my hand before I'll ever reach for you again."
John Proctor
Niece of Parris; parents were murdered by native Americans.
Abigail Williams
"I'll fly to Mama. Let me fly!"
Betty Parris
Abigail hates her…calls her “bitter” and says she’s “blackening” her name around the village; Abigail apparently drinks blood to try and kill her…
Mrs. (Elizabeth) Proctor
Why does Abigail drink blood?
To kill John Proctor's wife
"Now look you. All of you. We danced. And Tituba conjured Ruth Putnam's dead sisters. And that is all. Let either of you breath a word...and I will come to you in the black of some terrible night and I will bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder you."
Abigail Williams
Comes from Beverly; considers himself an expert in "witch hunting"
Rev Hale
"There is a faction that is sworn to drive me from my pulpit. Don't you understand that?"
Reverend Parris
Servant for the Putnam family (after Abigail is "let go" from this position); Claims she "only looked" while the girls were conjuring spirits in the forest.
Mary Warren
What two "things" or "rights" does Parris feel he's deprived of as an educated minister?
- a deed to his house
- money to cover wood
"Now, Mark me, if the Devil is in her you will witness some frightful wonders in this room, so please to keep your wits about you."
Reverend Hale
Husband of Rebecca; Well respected BUT also resented for his land; had a “land war” with the Putnams that lasted two days
Francis Nurse
"I think she will wake in time. Pray calm yourselves. I have eleven children, and I am twenty-six times a grandma, and I have seen them all through their silly seasons..."
Rebecca Nurse
Husband of Ann; father of Ruth; comes from money; Constantly holds grudges (for example, with the Nurse family, who they had a land dispute with)
Mr. (Thomas) Putnam
Why might calling Reverend Hale hurt Parris's case that "there's no witchcraft in his family"?
"He say Mr. Paris must be kill! Mr. Parris no goodly man, Mr. Parris mean man and no gentle man, and he bid me rise out of my bed and cut your throat!"
Tituba
the doctor’s messenger (who delivers the info that the doctor thinks Betty is affected by “unnatural causes”
Susanna Walcott
"Last night--mark this--I tried and tried and could not say my prayers. And then she close her book and walk out of the house, and suddenly--mark this--I could pray again!"
Giles Corey
Servant of Putnman family; Fat, sly merciless (unforgiving) girl of 18; We learn SHE was the one who was naked in the forest when they were summoning Ruth’s siblings
Mercy Lewis
Why does Tituba admit to "being involved with the devil?"
To avoid being hung; to get the accusations off of her. By "admitting" to conspiring with the devil, Rev. Hale will "rid her" of the devil, protect her from the court, and grant her forgiveness.
"What will we do? The village is out! I just come from the farm; the whole country's talkin' witchcraft! They'll be callin' us witches, Abby!"
Mary Warren
Midwife of Ann Putnam