Character Analysis
Goodwife Cruff is a small-minded, cruel woman who is suspicious of Kit from the moment Kit takes a plunge into the Atlantic to save Prudence’s lost doll. Despite her name, Goodwife Cruff is a terrible wife, an insensitive mother, and an intolerant bigot. She will not allow her daughter, Prudence, to learn to read as she believes Prudence is far too stupid. She accuses Kit of witchcraft and brings the evidence of the copybook against Kit during the trial. Goodwife Cruff represents the very worst kind of intolerance and ignorance in Puritan society.