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The Crucible Character Arcs

Arc updates detected through chapter-level analysis, with direct links to chapter summary and analysis pages.

Chapter 1: Chapter 1
  • Reverend Parris: Paranoid minister fearing loss of authority; initiates the witch‑hunt.
  • Abigail Williams: Orphaned niece who shifts from fearful survivor to manipulative schemer.
  • Tituba: Barbadian slave coerced into confession; becomes a scapegoat for the town.
  • Betty Parris: Ill daughter whose silence fuels rumors and panic.
  • Thomas Putnam: Wealthy landowner with personal grievances; exploits accusations for gain.
  • Mrs. Ann Putnam: Mourning mother seeking supernatural explanations for lost children.
  • John Proctor: Independent farmer skeptical of hysteria; later confronts the court.
  • Elizabeth Proctor: Quiet, morally upright wife who becomes entangled in the accusations.
  • Rebecca Nurse: Elderly respected woman, voice of reason, targeted despite her virtue.
  • Giles Corey: Stubborn old man prepared to defend his wife and defy judicial authority.