The Crucible Act 1 Analysis
Act I: The first act of the play begins in the upstairs bedroom of Reverend Samuel Parris’ home. He is kneeling in prayer at the side of his bedridden daughter, Betty, when the curtain open. Reverend Parris’ slave from Barbados, Tituba, enters the room, concerned about Betty's well being, but Parris makes her leave. Reverend Parris’ niece, Abigail Williams, then enters the room, along with Susanna Walcott. Susanna tells Reverend Parris that Dr. Griggs was unable to find a cure for Betty's illness. Reverend Parris then explains that he has sent for Reverend Hale of Beverly to look for any sign of supernatural causes for Betty's illness, but he tells Susanna not to saying anything about it to anyone. Abigail then tells Reverend Parris that there are rumors of witchcraft and that the
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Giles Corey tells Reverend Hale that Proctor does not believe in witches, but Proctor says he did not speak one way or another. Hale says that they cannot look to superstition in issues of witchcraft, because the Devil is precise. Parris admits to the dancing and the conjuring, while Goody Ann Putnam claims that witchcraft must be the cause of death for her seven children. Giles Corey asks Hale what the meaning of reading strange books is. He says that he often wakes in the middle of the night to find Martha reading in a corner. He also says that he cannot say his prayers when she’s around. Reverend Hale dismisses his claims, saying that they’re nothing too serious. Hale then asks Abigail what happened in the forest. Parris claims he saw a kettle, but Abigail says there was only soup in it, but a frog may have jumped in it. Parris asks if they drank anything in it. Reverend Hale then asks Abigail if she sold her soul to Lucifer. Finally Abigail blames Tituba, claiming that Tituba made her and Betty drink chicken blood. Abigail says that Tituba sends her spirit on her in church and makes her laugh at prayer. Putnam declares that Tituba must be
Giles Corey tells Reverend Hale that Proctor does not believe in witches, but Proctor says he did not speak one way or another. Hale says that they cannot look to superstition in issues of witchcraft, because the Devil is precise. Parris admits to the dancing and the conjuring, while Goody Ann Putnam claims that witchcraft must be the cause of death for her seven children. Giles Corey asks Hale what the meaning of reading strange books is. He says that he often wakes in the middle of the night to find Martha reading in a corner. He also says that he cannot say his prayers when she’s around. Reverend Hale dismisses his claims, saying that they’re nothing too serious. Hale then asks Abigail what happened in the forest. Parris claims he saw a kettle, but Abigail says there was only soup in it, but a frog may have jumped in it. Parris asks if they drank anything in it. Reverend Hale then asks Abigail if she sold her soul to Lucifer. Finally Abigail blames Tituba, claiming that Tituba made her and Betty drink chicken blood. Abigail says that Tituba sends her spirit on her in church and makes her laugh at prayer. Putnam declares that Tituba must be