The Crucible, takes place in the small Puritan village called Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. The witchcraft trials grew out of the moral system of the Puritans. This split the town into two, those who were considered witches and those who wanted good.The play begins at Reverend Parris’ home, whose daughter Betty is ill. Parris is living with his daughter and his seventeen-year old niece Abigail. Parris believes that is daughters illness is from supernatural causes, so he sends for Reverend Hale. Betty first start to look ill after her father discovered her dancing in the woods with Abigail and his Negro slave, Tituba along with several other local girls. There are rumors going around that Betty's sickness is due to witchcraft. Parris doesn’t want to admit to seeing his daughter and niece dancing in the woods, but Abigail says that she will admit to dancing and accept the punishment. At this time, Thomas and Ann Putnam come into the story and talk to Parris saying that their daughter Ruth has become sick too. Ann admits to sending Ruth to Tituba the slave, because he knows how to talk to the dead and she could find out who murdered her seven children that died while they were infants. When the adult leave, Abigail talks about Betty's illness with Mercy Lewis and Mary Warren who are servants of the Putnams.. Abigail threatens them and told them not to tell anything except about the dancing and that Tituba conjured Ruth's sisters. Then, Betty hears people singing psalms outside, and she begins to scream. Then Reverend Parris comes and realizes that Betty cannot bear to hear the Lord's name. Giles Corey and Rebecca Nurse are the next to come visit. Giles is an old man and Rebecca is a well-respected old woman. Rebecca says that Betty's illness isn’t anything serious, but just a little childish phase. Next, Reverend John Hale arrives. He’s a scholarly man who looks for signs of the supernatural. Parris tells him ...
