act I crucible

Identify Tituba, Abigail, and Betty

Tituba is Reverend Parris's Enslaved person from Barbados; Abigail Williams is Parris's 17-year-old niece who had an affair with John Proctor; Betty Parris is Parris's 10-year-old daughter who falls into a mysterious trance after dancing in the woods.

Why does Mrs. Putnam believe there are witches in Salem?

She has lost seven infants shortly after birth, and her only surviving child, Ruth, falls into a strange trance like Betty.

Why is Thomas Putnam bitter?

He feels disrespected by the community because his candidate for minister was turned down, and he is greedy for land and recognition.

Parris says, "Oh, Abigail, what proper payment for my charity! Now I am undone!" What does that mean?

He feels betrayed because he took Abigail into his home, and now her controversial actions in the woods threaten to destroy his reputation and career in Salem.

What is Mary's argument to Abby?

She argues that they must confess to dancing in the forest so they will only be whipped, rather than hanged for witchcraft.

Describe Proctor.

John Proctor is a strong, independent farmer in his 30s who hates hypocrisy, yet carries intense guilt over his secret affair with Abigail Williams.

What happened between Abigail and John Proctor prior to the opening of the play?

They had an extramarital affair while Abigail worked as a servant in the Proctor household, leading Elizabeth Proctor to fire her.

What was the "sign" that Betty was bewitched?

She screamed and covered her ears upon hearing the congregation sing a psalm below.

Identify Francis and Rebecca Nurse.

Francis Nurse is a respected, wealthy land-owner; Rebecca Nurse is his elderly, pious, and highly regarded wife who acts as a voice of reason in Salem.

Explain the political relationship between the Putnam and Nurse families.

They are long-standing rivals due to land disputes and the Nurse family's opposition to Putnam's candidate for minister.

What did Rebecca do to Betty?

She simply stood over Betty and calmed her down with her quiet, gentle presence.

What is Rebecca's explanation of the girls' behavior?

She believes the girls are just going through a childish phase ("silly season") and will wake/stop when they grow tired of it.

“There are wheels within wheels in this village and fires within fires." Explain.

It means that underlying political, personal, and financial vendettas are driving the accusations beneath the surface of religious concern.

What is Proctor's reason for his not regularly attending church?

He dislikes Reverend Parris's preaching style, which focuses constantly on damnation and money rather than God.

What does Parris want?

He wants higher compensation, ownership of the church rectory, and the respect and deference of the congregation.

What do Putnam and Proctor argue about? What does this show?

They argue over ownership of a tract of timber land; it shows Putnam's land greed and the deep-seated rivalries among Salem neighbors.

Who is Rev. John Hale, and why does he come to Salem?

He is an expert minister from Beverly invited to examine Betty and determine if demonic forces are present in Salem.

To what did Tituba confess? Why?

She confessed to speaking with the Devil and giving him names of local witches; she did so to save herself from being beaten to death by Parris.

What do the girls do at the end of Act One?

They join Tituba in shouting out names of various community members, claiming to have seen them with the Devil.