The courtroom is silent. As the giant oak doors are swung open long lines of prisoners shuffle in. The look on the jurors faces does not make them feel any better. Crass and unsympathetic Judges order the worst penalty imaginable…exile?
What year is this again?
No, its not 1692, but fast forward all the way to 1953. The “Red Scare” is in full effect. Actresses and Actors are being blacklisted left and right. Enter Arthur Miller. Miller wrote The Crucible as a kind of historical allegory, which means that even though it takes place centuries before, the plot alludes to a present day situation. Throughout his book, Miller included certain symbols of this, such as the Trials of the accused witches. The giant red man on the cover represents the undertone of communism in the play. Everywhere you turn it seems that Miller is including references of McCarthy's trials and the blacklisting of suspected Communists. Various sections of prose such as this one,
In the countries of Communist ideology, all resistance of any import is linked to the totally malign capitalist succubi, and in America any man who is not reactionary in his own views is open to the charge of alliance with the Red hell. Political opposition, thereby, is given an inhumane overlay which then justifies the abrogation of all normally applied customs of civilized intercourse. (34)
Provide a look at what is really going on behind the scenes.
Various other essential themes are discussed through out the play as well. You could probably write a novel with all the instances of lying and infidelity that are evident. John cheats on his wife, John lies to his wife. Elizabeth lies to the court, Putnam lies to the court, heck even Rev. Parris lies to the court.
The title, which stemmed from a quote from Judge Danforth, “We burn a hot fire in here; it melts down all concealment” (89). has to do with Crucible, which is an instrument for melting down metals. Danforth's statement however, had less to do with melting down metals and more to do with the court extracting exactly what they wanted out of their witnesses, who would “melt” under such intense questioning.
Religion obviously plays a big role in The Crucible. Many innocent people are sacrificed in the name of the Lord, and the peoples fear of god is extorted and used against them by their own clergymen, including Rev. hale and Rev. Parris.
The forest is also a giant symbol in The Crucible. It represents the unknown. The girls are found dancing in the forest, which stems the entire witchcraft accusations in the first place.
Dakota Fanning as Betty Parris
Betty Parris is the only daughter of Rev. Parris and is Abigail's cousin. In the play, she is the weakest girl. Her strategy of staying out of trouble is to remain silent until Abigail can think of a plan. Once all the girls are alone in her room, Betty tells Abigail, “You drank blood, Abby! You didn't tell him that…You did, you did! You drank a charm to kill John Proctor's wife! You drank a charm to kill Goody proctor!” (19). In this Betty revels that she is just a little girl caught up in a bigger plot that Abigail insinuated. She does whatever Abigail tells her. Once Abigail decides to go with the witchcraft story, Betty goes right along with her as if they had telepathy. “As she is speaking, Betty is rising from the bed, a fever in her eyes, and picks up the chant” (48). This too shows how little and vacillating she is. She and other girls were caught doing something terrible, and it must have been very frightening. Lying, while not the best course of action, was probably the only plausible one. Although her illness was not real, she does pave the way for future witchcraft accusations.
The actress that would be the best fit to play Betty would be Dakota Fanning. In Uptown Girls, her character is very annoying. She is a goody two shoes, and cuts herself off from the world when her father takes ill. This is similar to Betty in that Betty was annoying and she reacts to being in trouble by cutting herself off from her father and everyone else.
Susan Sarandon as Elizabeth Proctor
Elizabeth Proctor is the pious faithful wife of John Proctor. She is a gentle caring woman, as evident from the first time we meet her. “Elizabeth is heard softly singing to the children” (49). However, her warmth and care only extend as far as her children. Because of John's infidelity, she is somewhat distant and terse towards him.
Throughout the play Miller includes metaphors and symbols that hint at John and Elizabeth's relationship. When John says, “It's winter in here yet” (51), Miller is hinting that their relationship over the past few months is cold and devoid of tenderness. Elizabeth doesn't want friction but can't help bringing up John's mistake over and over again. While she does not directly accuse him, she drops hints such as “You come so late I thought you'd gone to Salem this afternoon” (51). It is episodes such as this that send John's anger skyrocketing. On the other hand Elizabeth never fully gets mad at John in the play. “I do not judge you…I never thought you but a good man, John, only somewhat bewildered” (55). This shows that even though Elizabeth is struggling with forgiving John, she dare not try and insult him. Elizabeth even blames herself for John's lechery. “It needs a cold wife to prompt lechery” (137). This shows Elizabeth's character, always thinking of John and his well being.
Elizabeth is also a very pious woman. When Rev. Hale comes to question her and her husband, she says of her religious duties, “There be no mark of blame upon my life, Mr. Hale. I am a covenanted Christian woman” (66). While helping her case with Rev. Hale, her spirituality did not protect her from the wrath of Abigail. Elizabeth is eventually taken away by the court after being accused of witchcraft.
Along with her devoutness, Elizabeth is a very honest character. She speaks her mind on certain issues, proclaiming that she “cannot believe it” (69). when Rebecca Nurse is accused of witchcraft. When asked if she thought Abigail was really under witchery, she confesses that she does not really believe it. John also has a lot of faith in her. He declares that “there are them that cannot sing, and there are them that cannot weep--my wife cannot lie” (111). This shows how unbalanced their relationship is, John lies all the time, and Elizabeth is practically a saint. However, there is one instance when Elizabeth doest tell a lie. But she does not tell this lie for herself, she only tells it to saver her husbands good name. Yet another example of how Abigail is virtuous and only thinks of others well beings.
The actress that best fit's the role of Elizabeth Proctor would be Susan Sarandon. In Stepmom, she played the character of Jackie, a woman who has been ousted from her marriage by her husband, who has now taken a much younger and prettier girlfriend. This is very much like Elizabeth's situation. Both wives react with expected coldness, but they try as hard as possible to keep the family together.
Robert De Niro as John Proctor
John Proctor is the most interesting character. A farmer in his mid thirties, he is the father of three boys, and is married to Elizabeth Proctor. From the very beginning we learn what kind of character John Proctor will be. If one were to describe him in three words, rebellious, respected and principled would fit the description. He had very high standards for people. “There is evidence to suggest that he had a sharp and biting way with hypocrites. He was the kind of man--powerful of body, even-tempered, and not easily led…” (20). John is usually pleasant, but one of his flaws is his temper. Once things start not to go his way, he often resorts to threats of violence to get his point across. His wife, ex-mistress, even his servants all come under attack. At one point the screams to Mary Warren, “I'll show you a great doin' on your arse one of these days” (21). His violent temper is only one of his faults.
John Proctor is a mix between a leader in the community and a poignant self loather. He shows he is a leader by his various act of charity in the community. “I nailed the roof upon the church, I hung the door” (66). However, he lives in disgrace for cheating on his wife. “Were I stone I would have cracked for shame this seven month” (62). His extramarital affair with Abigail Williams goes against all his standards. From the very beginning, Miller had hinted at this fatal flaw. “He is a sinner, a sinner not only against the moral fashion of the time, but against his own vision of decent conduct” (20).
John Proctors attitude towards the witchcraft in Salem differs from start to finish. In the beginning, he is very angry that people have been summoned to look for possible signs of witchcraft. “Did you consult the wardens before you called this minister to look for Devils?” (27). However towards the end of Act 3, he sees that the Devil is present, not in the girls themselves, but in what the girls are accomplishing, the murders of innocent people. “I say---I say---God is dead…A fire, a fire is burning! I hear the boot of Lucifer, I see his filthy face! And it is my face, and yours, Danforth! God damns our kind especially, and we will burn, we will burn together!” (119-120). This key quote shows that John Proctor realizes that people only believe in all this witchcraft because they want to believe in it. They are too proud to admit that they were tricked by a bunch of teenage girls.
John Proctors biggest asset is his name. It commands respect, and he, being an honorable man, does not want to bring disgrace upon that name. The scene in the play that shows this the best was in Act Two, where John Proctor speaks with his wife for maybe the final time. He is thinking about saving his own life by confessing to witchcraft.. He says to Elizabeth, "My honesty is broke, Elizabeth; I am no good man. Nothing's spoiled by giving them this lie that were not rotten long before." (136). After he confesses, judge Danforth asks him to sign a written confession. Danforth then would nail it on the church door so that everyone in Salem could see it. This was the one thing Proctor would not do. It would sully his reputation, and there would be everlasting proof that he had practiced witchery, which really wasn't true. He refused to sign it, and when he is asked, he cries, "Because it is my name. Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang! How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name" (143).
So rather than agreeing to a lie, John Proctor truly shows he is an honorable man, and becomes a martyr. He realizes that if he lied his way out of the situation, he would not be able to live with himself. John was wise, and had finally seemed to earn the forgiveness of his wife. As he is taken away, Elizabeth says “He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him" (145).
Robert De Niro will play John Proctor. In the movie Men Of Honor, De Niro plays a rough hewn Navy diver, who has made a lot of mistakes in his life. He is generally racist, and he does not like to listen to bureaucrats telling him what to do. However, when faced with the tough situation of his African American protégé Carl Brashear losing a leg in the line of duty, he does what is right and goes to help him recover, even though his superiors threatened punishment. This is very like what John Proctor does in The Crucible. He does not like to listen to people like Rev. Parris and Judge Danforth. He hold true to his vales, even though everyone was trying to get him to confess to a crime which he did not commit. In the end, John Proctor shows that like De Niro, he is one of The “Men Of Honor“.
Lacey Chabert as Marry Warren
A lonely naive girl all of 17, Mary Warren is a crucial device used by Miller to move the plot along. She allows herself to be bullied by other people. The first example of this is when John Proctor sends her home in anger for disobeying him. Her response, a very timid “Oh I'm just going home Mr. Proctor” (21). This is the shy Mary, afraid to break her masters will. However, as the play progresses, and she begins to be partial to Abigail's way of doing things, Mary Warren makes her case of being attacked known. She begins to get caught up in all the fun and games of calling out accused witches, and like her newfound power as an official of the court. She even yells to Proctor, “I'll not stand whipping anymore!” (59)
Nonetheless, Mary's newfound power does not last very long. When she realizes that what she has been doing is very wrong, there is a tough decision for her to make. Turn against her friends, or go on with her decision to kill innocent people? Mary is very worries about this, and she tells John proctor, “I cannot do ! I cannot do it!” (80).
Mary's attempt on doing the right thing totally backfires on her though. During the court session in which she admits her guilt, “It were only sport in the beginning, sir, but then the whole world cried spirits, spirits, and I--I promise you, I only thought I saw them but I did not” (107). she is the accused by Abigail herself as trying to convince the girls to sign in the devils book. Now Mary Warren makes another decision, one that alters the course of the play. Instead of standing up for what she knew was right, she ended up turning on John Proctor. When Mary utters the expression, “You're the devil's man!” (118). It is all over for John Proctor. Mary has made her true colors known. She is a spineless weak little girl, and instead of trying to make a difference, she folds like a deck of cards.
Because of her unique personality traits, Mary Warren would be played best by Lacey Chabert. In Mean Girls, Lacey Chabert's character Gretchen Wieners is part of the popular clique, just like Mary Warren is. She feels empowered by all her popularity, and often uses it to her advantage. Still, both characters see that what they are doing is completely wrong and strive to fix their wrongdoings.
Julie Andrews as Rebecca Nurse
Gentle, matronly and full of wisdom, Seventy two year old Rebecca Nurse is the most upright character in The Crucible. She is the wife of Francis Nurse, and with that title alone, comes great respectability. Rebecca herself enjoyed the high opinion that most people had of her husband. Right in the beginning of the play, she expresses her caring nature. She goes to comfort the sick of Salem. When Parris says, “What do you make of it Rebecca?” (27). He is actually demonstrating what the entire town will usually do, ask her opinion of something. Since Rebecca has been around for so long, she has pretty much seen it all. She even says, “I have eleven children, and I am twenty-six times a grandma, and I have seen them all through their silly seasons” (27). Rebecca Nurse is also one of the first residents of Salem to voice her opinion that there was no witchcraft. “I hope you are not decided to go in search of loose spirits, Mr. Parris. I've heard promise of that outside” (27). When Rebecca says this we can clearly see that she is foreshadowing the witch hunt, and is very wary about what could happen.
Also, when Rebecca Nurse is accused of Witchcraft, she does not bear false witness against her neighbors, instead choosing to go to her death with dignity. She is not without offering some advise though. “Let you fear nothing! Another judgment awaits us all!” (144). Anyone else in Rebecca Nurses' situation would be full of rage, but she keeps her dignity and decides to die with honor. Her death makes the play much more of a tragedy
The actress selected to play Rebecca Nurse is none other than Julie Andrews. In The Princess Diaries she plays Queen Clarisse Renaldi. Queen Renaldi is a wise leader, and is able to keep the kingdom together for many years. The nation of Genovia loves her, and they seek her opinion for everything, even though she actually does not have that much power.
Denzel Washington as Rev. Parris
A widower in his middle forties, the paranoid Rev. Parris exemplifies greed, mistrust, and a thirst for power. He is not good with children, and had spent his years prior to ministry as a merchant in the Barbados. He is disliked by his parishioners, and for that reason, a lot of them have stopped attending church. He is obsessed with controlling his parish. He even says to his niece, “I have fought for three long years to bend these stiff necked people to me” (11). Parris also often uses religion and fear to try and get his Parris to obey him. “There is either obedience or the church will burn like hell is burning” (30). Parris' paranoia also leads him to believe that there is a faction against him. ‘There is a faction that is sworn to drive me from my pulpit” (10). Even in these first ten pages we can see that Parris is always worried about being overthrown, and therefore will react to anything and everything that strikes him suspicious. That is probably one of the reasons he was creeping in the woods near Abigail and Betty. Parris often bases most of his decisions out of his own self interest. For example, his want of gold candlesticks for the church. “But Parris came, and for twenty week he preach nothin' but gold en candlesticks until he had them” (65). This shows what Parris is really concerned about, looking good. He uses religion to extort the parishioners of their money and ends up getting what he wants. In addition to the gold candlesticks, he argued about his salary and demanded the deed for the meeting house. Previous ministers in Salem had never done that. The reason for this may have been that he was afraid of being thrown out of town, but if he had an official residence, that would not happen.
Once the witch trials are in full effect, Parris takes a very active role in condemning the citizens. He will do anything to make sure that the people he has chosen will hang. He even retracts her earlier version of the story about Abigail dancing in the woods. “I can only say, sir, that I never found any of them naked” (105). At this point, Parris realizes that even if he has to lie his way around Proctor's accusations, he will have his hangings in Salem. He often confuses his victims and shouts things to Danforth and Hawthorne such as “Your Excellency, this is a trick to blind the court!” (107). After an entire page of him shouting random snippets here and uncouth comments there, it is easy to see how girls like marry warren became flustered and ended up looking bad on the witness stand.
However, near the end of the book, Rev. Parris begins to change a little. After John Proctor has been sentenced to hang, the people of Salem were in shock. Parris realizes that John Proctor is no “Isaac Ward that drank his family to ruin” (127). These people, Proctor, Nurse and Goody Proctor, all have good reputations in the community. So when Parris asks for the postponement of the hangings, he has good reasons. “There is danger for me. I dare not step outside at night!” (128). The community has now completely turned against him, and reduced him o a sniveling mess. He is not the proud, loud man he used to be. Parris now walks in fear of what may happen to him. In addition to this, he is seen as a fool. Abigail has robbed him and ran away.
The actor that best fit's the role of Rev. Parris is Denzel Washington. In Training Day, Washington's character is a crooked cop. He is very greedy, and often steals money and drugs from all the crime scenes. In the end, he is caught for his crimes and becomes very afraid for his life, just like Rev. Parris.
Sen. Joseph McCarthy as Thomas Putnam
Husband of Ann Putnam, Thomas Putnam is man with many grievances. He is the eldest son of the richest man in Salem. Putnam fought the Indians at Narragansett, and he is deeply involved in the affairs of the village. Regarding himself as an intellectual superior to everyone in the village, his “vindictive nature was demonstrated long before the witchcraft began” (14). Putnam uses his daughters illness as a chance to accuse other people of witchcraft, with his ulterior motive being the future purchase of their land. He is also quick to accuse people and in Tituba's case, tried to exterminate them immediately. “This woman must be hanged! She must be taken and hanged!” (44). Thomas Putnam uses his influence to bend Salem to his will. He eggs on the accusations of witchcraft, and profits immeasurably well from all the evil. For example, in the beginning of the play, Putnam is shown arguing with his neighbors over land. He says to John proctor, “That tract is in my bounds, its in my bounds, Mr. Proctor!” (32). Coincidently, John proctor is later convicted and his land will go up for sale. Less of a coincidence is that Putnam is the only person who can afford to buy the land. Thomas Putnam truly is one of the greediest characters in the play, preying on the weak and the poor.
Miller wrote the Crucible as a historical allegory, so the only person fit to play Thomas Putnam would be Joseph McCarthy himself. Like Putnam, Joseph McCartney uses false allegations and lies to get rid of his opponents. They were both very feared and respected, and felt slighted by their peers.
Lindsey Lohan as Abigail Williams
The niece of Parris, 17 year old orphan Abigail Williams is about as cruel, calculating, and manipulative as you can get. Miller describes her as a character with “An endless capacity for dissembling. Now she is all worry and apprehension and propriety” (9). Williams is the kind of person that can change her appearance faster than you can say witchcraft. Her dissembling ways are evident throughout the book. She can be afflicted by witchcraft and faint on command. Quick to rat out a friend, Abigail will think of any way to get herself out of trouble. When faced with the situation of witchcraft, Abigail immediately turns on Tituba, her servant. “She always sings her Barbados songs, and we dance” (11). Her non hesitation about lying is scary. However, Abigail was never called out for lying until the end of the play.
The first time Abigail was accused of fraternizing with Lucifer, she lies and lists off tons of her neighbors as agents of the Devil. As soon as she revealed this Thomas Putnam shouted, “The marshal, I'll call the marshal!” (48). Other adults, such as Reverend Hale, said, “Let the Marshal bring irons!” (48). Both of these men were highly respected, and this proves that the townspeople had full faith in Abigail and were ready to do her bidding. Later in court, Abigail says, “…I done my duty pointing out the Devil's people - and this is my reward? To be mistrusted, denied, questioned like a -” (108). Judge Danforth quickly replied, assuring Abigail that he trusts her, “Child, I do not mistrust you” (108). Abigail's authority in Salem not persuaded the susceptible townspeople, but also allowed her to name witches and agents of the Devil to ensure that she herself would not be suspected.
In addition to her lying, Abigail's other main defect was her extreme jealousy. Abigail once worked as a servant to John Proctor and his wife, Elizabeth Proctor. After time, Elizabeth Proctor started to suspect that Abigail was having an affair with John. Abigail is subsequently dismissed from the Proctor household. Abigail fosters her anger, and after realizing that John still loved his wife, tried to use her new powers and accuse Elizabeth of witchcraft. John, who no longer wanted to be with Abigail exclaimed in court, “She thinks to dance with me on my wife's grave!” (110). This just shows how even her ex-lover realizes how evil she has become. It really paints a picture of Abigail, who is still a child in many ways. Instead of coping with eh fact that she cannot have a relationship with John, she instead thrown a sort of a temper tantrum, only this temper tantrum had dire consequences.
Lastly, Abigail's was a very selfish character. Throughout the Witch Trials many innocent people died because of her refusal to let go of John. Abigail had chances to confess. For example, when Marry Warren came forward and confessed that all the witchcraft was just “sport.” Judge Danforth then asked Abigail if this were true. “Is it possible, child, that the spirits you have seen are illusion only, some deception that may cross your mind when-“ (108). She could have saved many lives at any instance but refused to confess because she only thought of the consequences that she might have had to face. Later, when she is scared of being caught lying, she steals all her uncle's money and runs away. Abigail's selfishness is her most defining feature.
Abigail Williams will be played by Lindsey Lohan. In the news media, Lohan is portrayed as a whore. Every time people go on the computer they are always hearing about all the drama in her life. The lies she supposedly tells, and all her secret relationships. Her and Abigail Williams have the cheating, lying, immaturity and drama in common.
Michael Gambon as Giles Corey
Eighty three years old, inquisitive, and knotted with muscle, the ever inquisitive Giles Corey often serves as comical relief in The Crucible. Miller says of Corey, “No man has ever been blamed for so much. If a cow was missed, the first thought was to look for her around Corey's house…” (40). This public opinion of him did not, however, stop him from securing a close friendship with John Proctor.
Giles is also a very inexperienced man in the areas of witchcraft. He often seems to miss social cues, and at times seems almost adolescent. His questioning of his wife reading a book only proves this point. “I have walked at night many a time and found her in a corner, readin' of a book. Now what do you make of that?” (40). This subtle hint that his wife may be practicing witchcraft not only leads to her arrest, but to his eventual downfall as well. Giles initially went to the court to lay a charge against John Putnam, that Putnam was abusing his daughters sickness to acquire more land. “If Jacobs hangs for a witch he forfeit up his property--that's law! This man is killing his neighbors for land!” (96). While Giles has made a formal accusation, he has fallen into a catch 22 because he was told this by a close associate of Putnam himself. Naturally the court wanted to hear the name, but Giles said, “I will not give you no name. I mentioned my wife's name once and I'll burn in hell long enough for that. I stand mute” (97). Giles chooses to die as a martyr, never entering a plea of guilty or not guilty, therefore ensuring that his sons will inherit his land. This is a true testament to his character.
Michael Gambon was chosen to play Giles because of his work as Dumbledore in Harry Potter. Like Giles, Dumbledore was a very selfless and funny character. He gave himself up as a sacrifice to serve the greater good. Both men dies under duress, and in a way chose their death. They were also both indirectly responsible for a death of a loved one, Giles with his wife, and Dumbledore with his sister, Ariana.
Jack Nicholson as Rev. Hale
A tight skinned, nearing forty and eager-eyed intellectual, The Rev. John Hale is the most dynamic character in The Crucible. The metamorphosis he goes through is astounding. When Hale first arrives in Salem, he was enthusiastic to use all of his books and wisdom to find the witches. “Like almost all men of learning, he spent a good deal of his time pondering the invisible world, especially since he had himself encountered a witch in his parish not long ago” (33). Hale feels that he is the only man for the job. He can also be described as overconfident. “He feels himself allied with the best minds of Europe---Kings, philosophers, scientists, and ecclesiasts of all churches” (36). In all his impatience to round up the witches of Salem, Hale started the spark that lit the fire. Hale is the one character that could have stopped the witch trials before they began. He starts of by talking to Tituba. By coercing her to tell of witchcraft, he starts the chain reaction picked up by the other villagers, that if they confess to witchcraft, no harm will fall on them. “Take courage, you must give us all their names. How can you bear to see this child suffering…God will bless you for your help” (47). It is exclamations like this that convinced Tituba to make up a story to save herself. She is the first character to realize that all the Rev.. wants is a confession, no matter how far fetched it is. Rev. Hale excels in his role as a crusader, a soldier of the lord, bound to seek out the Devil and expel him from the innocent. However, this is only his attitude for the first half of the play.
As the court began to condemn more and more innocent people, Rev. Hale begins to change his mind about all the witchcraft in Salem. An internal conflict arises, one in which Hale is at war with himself. He beings to do some research about the supposed witches, to try and discover if the accusations are indeed warranted. “I am a stranger here, as you know. And in my ignorance I find it hard to draw a clear opinion of them that come accused before the court. And so this afternoon, and now tonight, I go from house to house” (63). This is the first instance of Rev. Hale questioning himself. So far he has signed 72 death warrants and wants to make sure that he “dare not take a life without there be a proof so immaculate no slightest qualm of conscience may doubt it” (99). His transformation continues when in Act 3, he decides to side with Proctor. “I believe him! This girl has always struck me false!” (114). This is a key part in Hales' character development. He has finally decided that all the accusations of witchcraft are false, and sees Abigail for what she really is. After John Proctor is accused, Hale renders a complete turn around with his statement, “I denounce these proceedings, I quit this court!” (120). However, his change of heart has come too late. He can do nothing to disrupt the court, as Danforth and Hawthorne are already in full control. Nevertheless, Hale tries one last ditch attempt to save face. In the end of Act 4, Hale is seen trying to get people to confess to witchcraft, so that their lives will be spared. When John Proctor is about to be hanged, Hale says to Goody proctor, “I would save your husbands life, for if he is taken I count myself his murderer. Do you understand me?” (130). Now we see that Rev. Hale is a completely different man that from the beginning of the play. He realizes what he has done and feel responsible for all the death he had caused. He tries to take it upon himself to reverse the process, but it is already too far gone.
Rev. Hale will be played by Jack Nicholson. In One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest, Nicholson's character starts out the novel a common criminal. He is sent to a mental hospital when he pleads insanity. When he first gets there, all he does is make trouble, similar to Rev. Hale. But in the end of the novel, he sees the err of his ways and begins trying to help the residents of the hospital.
Leslie Uggams as Tituba
A negro slave in her forties, Tituba was brought back from the Barbados with Rev Parris. Trouble usually lands on her back, and she is aware of this. Tituba starts all the trouble by agreeing to try and practice magic on behalf of Abigail Williams. She is the only character accused who did not immediately lie. When confronted with the allegation of drinking blood, she confessed, “No, no, chicken blood. I gave she chicken blood!” (43). After more questioning from Rev. Hale, she tells more of what happened in the woods. “You beg me to conjure! She beg me make charm -- I don't compact with no devil!” (44). Eventually, after facing threats from her master, Parris, she makes up a story about her supposed witchcraft. Tituba says, “Mister Reverend, I do believe somebody else be witching these children” (45). This is a crucial part of the play. Tituba is the first character to be affected by fear and is the first one to make up a false confession to save herself. But her salvation is short lived. Although she is not whipped to death on the spot, Tituba is the only character who is not released after she confesses. This shows the evident racism still rooted in the town.
Near the end of the play, Tituba is still waiting to be hanged. She pokes fun at her own situation when she praises the devil. “Devil, him be pleasurable man in Barbados, him be singin' and dancin' in Barbados. It's you folks --you riles him up 'round here” (122). What Tituba means by this is that where she came from, dancing and singing were not against the law, they were part of everyday culture. The Puritans themselves have been intolerant of other peoples religions, which is ironic looking at what they themselves went through. Tituba is a victim of this intolerance.
Leslie Uggams, from Roots best fit's the role of Tituba. In Roots, she plays a character named Kizzy. Kizzy is beaten and discriminated against often, because she is a slave. Tituba and Kizzy were both been taken out of their homelands. They are blamed for things even though they had nothing to do with them.
