Putnam, Proctor, and Giles Corey argue with Parris about his salary and other expectations. Putnam is jealous of Rebecca because all of Rebecca's children are healthy, whereas Mrs. Ruth is the only Putnam child to survive infancy, and Mrs. Putnam asks Rebecca to visit Ruth and attempt to wake her. Prophetically, Rebecca warns Parris that identifying witchcraft as the cause of Betty's illness will set a dangerous precedent and lead to further problems in Salem. The well-respected Rebecca Nurse is visiting the Parris household and calms her. During their discussion, Abigail becomes angry with Proctor because he refuses to acknowledge any feelings for her.īetty wakes again and is hysterical. When Elizabeth discovered the affair, she dismissed Abigail. Elizabeth Proctor was ill at the time and Abigail took on more responsibility within the Proctor household. Prior to the opening of the play, Abigail worked as a servant in the Proctor home. John Proctor and Abigail talk privately about their former relationship. Betty wakes, and Abigail threatens the other girls with violence if they tell anyone that she drank blood and cast a spell in order to kill Goody Proctor. There is talk in the village of an unnatural cause.Ībigail warns her friend Mercy Lewis and the Proctors' servant Mary Warren, not to reveal that they were all casting spells in the woods. Putnam arrive and reveal that their daughter Ruth is also ill. The local physician is unable to determine the cause of Betty's illness. Around midnight the night before, Parris had discovered Betty, his niece Abigail, and Tituba, his black slave, dancing in the woods, causing Betty to swoon. The action begins in the home of Reverend Parris, whose daughter Betty lies unconscious and appears very ill.

The Crucible takes place in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692.

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