Essay, Research Paper: Character Commentary And Personality

I got a 96 on this one :-)


Character Commentary and Personality

In Arthur Miller's The Crucible several characters are described in the commentary of Act I of the play. Three of the major characters of the play are described in the commentary of the first act. John Proctor, Thomas Putnam, and Reverend Parris are described in the first act and their characters that are developed from the commentary are developed by the character's actions in later parts of the play.
John Proctor was described in the commentary as a powerful, even-tempered farmer in his mid thirties. In Salem, the setting of the play, John is respected and feared throughout the town eve though he is a kind-hearted man. These characteristics of Proctor are later displayed in the play as in when "On seeing him (Proctor), Mary Warren leaps in fright" (Act I, 1182). Another of his characteristics is displayed when Proctor says to Mary Warren "Hang! He calls into her face. Hang, y'say?" (Act II, 1204) This is intimidating and causing fear in Mary Warren. In an argument with Elizabeth and Mary Warren, John tries to keep under control when he says "I say sit down! She sits, trembling. He speaks quickly, trying to keep his wits. Now we must be wise Elizabeth." (Act II, 1207) All of these instances support the commentary in Act I given by Miller as a description of the character of John Proctor.
Thomas Putnam is described by the commentary as a man of many grievances with a vindictive nature about him. Putnam being the eldest son of the richest man in Salem, Putnam regarded himself as an intellectual superior to other Salemites and was upset with the fact that he was disregarded ad a candidate for important town offices. Putnam demonstrates evidence of these qualities as he portrays his intellectual superiority by saying, "You are not undone! Let you take hold here. Wait for no one to charge you-declare it yourself. You have discovered witchcraft-" (Act I, 1180). Putnam also shows his many grievances and intellect when he says to Betty "That is a notorious sign of witchcraft afoot, Goody Nurse, a prodigious sign!" (Act I, 1185). These actions and quotations are supported by Miller's commentary about Putnam's character.
Reverend Parris is described as a minister with a villainous background who tried to win god and people to his side. Very little good was said of Parris in part because he was persecuted everywhere he went and that he had little interest in children and the likes. These characteristics are supported when Proctor persecutes Parris by saying "…many others who stay away from church these days because hardly ever mention God anymore." (Act I, 1187). An example of Paris trying to win the people to his side is when he says, "How can it be the Devil? Why would he choose my house to strike? We have all manner of licentious people in the village!" (Act I, 1194). All of these characteristics described by Miller in the commentary of Act I are supported by these comments and actions of Reverend Parris in the first two Acts.
Each of these characters was well developed by the commentary in the first act about their character. It was clearly supported by the comments and actions of these characters throughout Acts I and II. These commentaries play an important part in the play because it gives the reader a good perspective from which to view the characters. The commentaries can also be applied to the play in later acts because the characters can be seen fitting into these characterizations.

All quotes from the play are documented from Arthur Miller's The Crucible.