Act One

In act one "The Crucible" describes a small town in Massachusetts – Salem in the year 1692. We find Parris, the local reverend, praying by his daughter’s bed. Parris’ daughter Betty is unconscious and the doctor of the town can not seem to find a cure for her unknown illness in his books. The reader is soon introduced to a large gallery of characters; like Abigail Parris’ maid/“uncle”, Tituba Parris’ Negro slave and Susanna who brings news from the doctor. As Susanna reveals the doctor’s message about Betty’s illness might be caused by “unnatural” reasons, the town is starting to mumble about witchcraft. The events which led to both Betty fainting (and not awakening) is also starting to unravel: Tituba, Abigail, Betty and some other girls from town were apparently dancing “like heathen” out in the forest when reverend Parris walked in on them. According to Abigail Betty only took “a fright” and fainted, though the doctor apparently disagrees. Reverend Parris, who is afraid for his reputation among the town’s people, sends for Reverend Hale, a famous “witch-finder”, in order to remove all doubt about his daughter being a witch or bewitched. The reader learns that Betty is not is the only girl who can not wake, so as time passes the whispers in town turns into shouting. Hale has arrived and proceeds to “free” the girls from the “devil’s grip”. The girls feel trapped, as accusations of witchcraft start to haggle. The act ends when the girls, on Abigail’s lead, starts ratting out people they allegedly saw standing with the devil. As they are still screaming out names the curtains fall.

As for characters I see as important there is of course Abigail, Reverend Parris and Hale. While I did think that Tituba and Betty would be much more central characters I underestimated the role of John Proctor.