The Crucible - Plot
In Salem, Massachusetts, in 1692, Reverend Parris is terrified to believe that witchcraft could be the cause of his daughter Betty’s comatose state. He has recently surprised a group of Salem girls, including Betty, ‘dancing like heathen’ in the woods at night, in rituals led by his Barbadian slave Tituba. His teenaged niece Abigail insists it was all only ‘sport’. Abigail bullies the other girls to keep silent about their activities. Her sexual desire for John Proctor, and his remorse for their brief affair, are revealed. Other deep personal and community antagonism begins to emerge. Reverend Hale arrives, specifically sent for by Parris as an expert to investigate witchcraft allegations. Under pressure, Abigail shifts blame to Tituba and the tragic action begins with other girls ‘naming’ suspected witches.
Eight days later, John Proctor’s wife, Elizabeth, tells him that a court has been convened in the Salem Meeting House. Fourteen people are in jail accused by a group of girls that is led by Abigail and includes their servant, Mary Warren. Mary Warren returns from court with a poppet that she has made for Elizabeth, and reports that Abigail has named Elizabeth. Reverend Hale arrives to test the Proctors’ religious orthodoxy. Elizabeth is arrested after Mary Warren’s poppet is discovered. However, John will take Mary to court to discredit Abigail and save Elizabeth.
The credibility of Abigail’s public ‘performance’ is dramatically demonstrated to Deputy-Governor Danforth, who sets it against the apparently conflicting testimony of the Proctors against her and Mary Warren’s discredited allegations against the ‘bewitched’ girls. Proctor is arrested, and Hale quits the court in protest at this injustice.
Parris fears the community’s hostile reaction to the hangings, especially since Abigail has fled Salem. He has been the target of anonymous threats. Rebellions against other witch trials have broken out in nearby towns. He summons Danforth to Salem on the day of execution for seven condemned witches, including Rebecca Nurse and John Proctor. Parris hopes to persuade Danforth to postpone the hangings, at least until one of the prisoners confesses to Hale, so that other executions may appear justified.
Denying Hale’s plea for pardons in the absence of any life-saving confessions, Danforth stands by his interpretation of ‘God’s law’. He weighs the possibility of community disorder against a worse threat – that his judgement might be attacked if other sentences, already carried out, are laid open to doubt. In desperation, Hale asks Elizabeth to convince John to lie, confess and escape execution. John dictates and signs a written confession, then tears it up before Danforth can use it to make a public show. While Parris and Hale plead with Elizabeth to save her husband’s life, Proctor, who has rediscovered his own ‘shred of goodness’, is hanged.
Source: Insight Study Guide (2010)
Eight days later, John Proctor’s wife, Elizabeth, tells him that a court has been convened in the Salem Meeting House. Fourteen people are in jail accused by a group of girls that is led by Abigail and includes their servant, Mary Warren. Mary Warren returns from court with a poppet that she has made for Elizabeth, and reports that Abigail has named Elizabeth. Reverend Hale arrives to test the Proctors’ religious orthodoxy. Elizabeth is arrested after Mary Warren’s poppet is discovered. However, John will take Mary to court to discredit Abigail and save Elizabeth.
The credibility of Abigail’s public ‘performance’ is dramatically demonstrated to Deputy-Governor Danforth, who sets it against the apparently conflicting testimony of the Proctors against her and Mary Warren’s discredited allegations against the ‘bewitched’ girls. Proctor is arrested, and Hale quits the court in protest at this injustice.
Parris fears the community’s hostile reaction to the hangings, especially since Abigail has fled Salem. He has been the target of anonymous threats. Rebellions against other witch trials have broken out in nearby towns. He summons Danforth to Salem on the day of execution for seven condemned witches, including Rebecca Nurse and John Proctor. Parris hopes to persuade Danforth to postpone the hangings, at least until one of the prisoners confesses to Hale, so that other executions may appear justified.
Denying Hale’s plea for pardons in the absence of any life-saving confessions, Danforth stands by his interpretation of ‘God’s law’. He weighs the possibility of community disorder against a worse threat – that his judgement might be attacked if other sentences, already carried out, are laid open to doubt. In desperation, Hale asks Elizabeth to convince John to lie, confess and escape execution. John dictates and signs a written confession, then tears it up before Danforth can use it to make a public show. While Parris and Hale plead with Elizabeth to save her husband’s life, Proctor, who has rediscovered his own ‘shred of goodness’, is hanged.
Source: Insight Study Guide (2010)