Describe the characters in the play. Include their names and a brief description of what they are like, what they experience, and how they are involved with the murder.

George Henderson—He is the county attorney investigating the murder. He is a cynical young man who likes to mock others, especially women. He pays no attention to women’s interests and their household duties.

Henry Peters—He is the local sheriff who investigates the murder. He is very professional in his behavior. Like Henderson, he too dismisses female interests as unimportant and unworthy of attention.

Mrs. Hale—She is Lewis Hale's wife. She discovers the clues to the murder along with Mrs. Peters. She knew Mrs. Wright before her marriage and knew of her unhappy state. She feels that Mr. Wright deserved to be punished and hides the evidence against Mrs. Wright.

Mrs. Peters—She is the sheriff's wife. She is relatively new in town and does not know the victim's wife very well. She has a timid attitude and tries to defend the men's actions in the play. She seems to be a law-abiding person, but in the end, she helps Mrs. Hale hide the evidence against Mrs. Wright.

John Wright—He is a farmer who is strangled to death in his sleep. He is an honest man, but he pays little attention to his wife's needs. He put several restrictions on his wife and even prevented her from singing.

Mrs. Wright—Mrs. Wright is the victim's wife and the prime suspect for the murder. She was trapped in an unhappy marriage. Before her marriage, she was lively and cheerful. She had a canary as a pet, which her husband probably killed.