Who is described as a mentally unstable homeless woman and an early target of witchcraft accusations?

The choice of Sarah Osborne as the correct answer highlights her role as one of the early figures in the Salem witch trials, specifically as a target of witchcraft accusations. In Arthur Miller's "The Crucible," she is portrayed as a socially marginalized individual. Her status as a homeless woman and her mental instability render her vulnerable to the hysteria sweeping through Salem. When the witchcraft panic begins, those like Osborne are often the first to be accused, as they are seen as outsiders or individuals who do not conform to societal norms.

Sarah Osborne's situation exemplifies how fear and suspicion can lead to the scapegoating of the most vulnerable members of a community. Her characterization in the play emphasizes the broader themes of power, paranoia, and injustice that permeate the narrative, setting the stage for the unfolding drama of fear and accusation in the Puritan society.