The Crucible Act1

The story begin in Reverend Samuel Parris’s house, he is sitting and praying for his daughter, Betty, who is lying unconsciousness on her bed. Then Abigail Williams, a seventeen years old girl who is the niece of Reverend Parris enter the room telling that Susanna Walcott is here from Doctor Griggs. Susanna tells Mr.Parris that the Doctor Griggs cannot find anything medicine to cure Betty’s sickness, perhaps, it might because of some unnatural causes. But Parris doesn’t believe in this. After Susanna leave, Parris asked Abigail about what had happen in the forest because he saw Betty, Abigail, and his slave, Tituba dancing in the forest, and also an unknown female running naked through the forest at midnight. But Abigail told her uncle that they are just dancing, and Betty was frightened and fainted after she saw her dad leaped out of the bush so suddenly. And there was no people running naked in the forest. However, Mr.Parris feels like Abigail didn’t tell the story truthfully, he thinks it’s because they trafficked with spirit in the forest. He also asks Abigail about why she Goody Proctor, the wife of John Proctor fired her. Abigail told her uncle that Goody Proctor is a bitter woman, a lying, cold, sniveling woman, who just want slaves. Then Mrs. Ann Putnum enter the room, she is around forty-five, a death-ridden woman, haunted by dreams. She comes with her husband Mr. Thomas Putnam to see Betty. They told Mr.Parris that Betty’s sickness must because of witchcraft. Their daughter, Ruth, is also sick too. It’s a strange sickness and they believe it’s because of devil.  Mrs.Putnam also tell the story of her babies. She had seven babies and all of them died in her arms the very night of their birth. She is going to send Ruth to Tituba because she knows how to speak to the sea, so that she could find out who killed her babies. Mr.Putnum tries to persuade Mr.Parris to announce the existence of witchcraft, but Mr.Parris is afraid of speaking this. He think this will give his enemies in the village the power to against him. Then Mercy Lewis, the Putnam’s servant, enters the room. She come to visit Betty, and also report that Ruth has a very powerful sneeze that might causing her into danger. When Mr.Parris, Mrs.andMr.Putnum leave the room, Abigail tells Mercy that she tell uncle they danced and Tituba conjured Ruth’s  dead sister, and no one will say anything else. Then John Proctor enter, and everyone else leave accept Abigail. He and Abigail were having affair, but right now he doesn’t really care about Abigail anymore. However, Abigail still begging him to stay with her. After that, there are hymn coming from outside, Betty whine and cover her ears. Everyone rushing into the room to see her. They are wonder how Betty can’t bear to hear the Lord’s name. And Rebecca Nurse said that it might because of childish pranks. Mr.Hale, who learn about witchcraft entered the room. Mr.Parris ask him to look at Betty. Hale get Betty to sit up and try to study her carefully. Then he ask Abigail what kind of dance did they do. She said it’s just common dance. But Mr.Parris said that he saw kettle and something moving inside. Abigail then said that Tituba force her to drink it, but then she refuse. But Tituba denie everything. When Mr.Hale asks her to wake Betty up, she said she have no power on the child. Mr.Parris was very angry and told her if she not help he will kill her. Tituba was scared and says she tells the devil that she doesn’t want to work of him. She believe that there are somebody else witching the child because devil has many people working for him. And she list out the name, Goody Good, Sarah Good, Goody Osburn, Bridget Bishop. Then Betty begin to speak out, and she said she saw George Jacobs and Goody owe with the devil. Mr. Hale and Mr.Parris are very happy that Betty is free from the devil.