She was also with them in the forest the previous night, and she is convinced they must confess to what theyve done because of the rumors swirling around. When Abigail instructs the other girls to keep quiet about what took place in the woods, Betty begins to announce that Abigail drank blood. This arose in consequence of following the sage advice of Mrs. Sewall, in getting rid of the devil; or, what was more probable, in her father taking her from the weekly circle of accusing and bewitching girls, and placing her in a very respectable family in Salem.. He makes everyone agree not to push the issue if he doesnt find anything pointing to the Devils work. Note how he quickly moves to try and forestall any comments that Betty's "sickness" has anything to do with witchcraft: No--no. Although the residents of Salem believed the girls were bewitched, modern theories suggest the girls were possibly suffering from either boredom, child abuse, epilepsy, mental illness or even a disease brought on by eating fungus infected rye. Later, with Reverend Parris and other adults present, cousin Abigail accuses Tituba of witchery in order to protect herself. Parris that the doctor can find no medical reason for Betty's illness., This girl . Menu. At the same time that little Betty is upstairs in bed sick from unknown causes. Let us know your assignment type and we'll make sure to get you exactly the kind of answer you need. It's notable in this regard that when he finds out what his niece Abigail and the other girls have been up to in the forest, his first concern is with the damage that this will have to his standing in the community. Tituba in The Crucible by Arthur Miller | Character Traits & Quotes, Ann Putnam in The Crucible by Arthur Miller | Character Traits, Summary & Analysis, Francis Nurse in The Crucible by Arthur Miller | Character & Quotes, Reverend Parris in The Crucible | Character Traits & Quotes, Judge John Hathorne in The Crucible by Arthur Miller | Analysis & Quotes, Thomas Putnam in The Crucible | Character Traits, Quotes & Personality, Mary Warren in The Crucible by Arthur Miller | Quotes & Character Traits, Symbols in The Crucible by Arthur Miller | Examples & Analysis, Abigail Williams in The Crucible | Quotes, Traits & Descriptions, Giles Corey Character Analysis & Quotes | The Crucible by Arthur Miller, Elizabeth Proctor in The Crucible by Arthur Miller | Traits & Analysis, Rebecca Nurse in The Crucible by Arthur Miller | Quotes & Analysis, Elizabeth Proctor Quotes in The Crucible by Arthur Miller | Examples & Analysis, Mary Warren in The Crucible by Arthur Miller | Quotes & Analysis, The Crucible Act 2 | Summary, Characters & Timeline, The Crucible by Arthur Miller: Act 1 | Quotes, Overview & Analysis, The Crucible by Arthur Miller: Act 2 | Quotes & Analysis, Figurative Language in The Crucible by Arthur Miller | Quotes, Types & Impact, GACE English (520): Practice & Study Guide, English 103: Analyzing and Interpreting Literature, NYSTCE English Language Arts (003): Practice and Study Guide, College English Composition: Help and Review, College English Literature: Help and Review, 11th Grade English: Homework Help Resource, Create an account to start this course today. flashcard set{{course.flashcardSetCoun > 1 ? The more Betty pretends to be comatose, the bigger the problem becomes, which in turn makes her even more afraid. Giles Corey refused to say anything at his trial so they put rocks on him to press the truth out of him he never confessed and his final word were more weight. Goody Proctor is a gossiping liar! (Abigail Williams pg. She fears punishment and ostracism within her community. What happens in Act 1 of The Crucible? Initially, Parris was on the defensive, but once he sees the potential for making himself wealthier and more powerful, he becomes more and more brazen and assertive. a mother who sent her daughter to conjure dead babies. A woman named Tituba is introduced as the Parris family's middle-aged slave from Barbados; she tries to check on Betty, but she is immediately ordered out of the room by Reverend Parris. They claim that after renouncing her allegiance to the Devil, she is now Gods instrument in the village sent to help them uncover the full extent of his Satanic plot. These negative qualities all emerge in his squabble with Proctor and Giles about whether his salary includes an allowance for firewood or not and whether he should have the deeds to the house provided for him. The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points, How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer. In this way, Betty becomes an archetype of fear. The College Entrance Examination BoardTM does not endorse, nor is it affiliated in any way with the owner or any content of this site. Extreme conclusions like Ann's "a witch murdered my babies with black magic" are accepted because. Parris is still trying to shut down the witchcraft conversation because of the damage it might do to his reputation. I feel like its a lifeline. her parents were murdered by Native Americans right in front of her), so she has no qualms about resorting to violence to force them to keep her secret. She claims someone else is bewitching Betty because shes seen other people with the Devil. And you know I can do it; I saw Indians smash my dear parents heads on the pillow next to mine, and I have seen some reddish work done at night, and I can make you wish you had never seen the sun go down! (Abigail Williams pg. See how other students and parents are navigating high school, college, and the college admissions process. Proctor says Putnam cant tell Parris what to do just because Putnam owns a lot of land in the town. Once he gets confirmation from Abigail that some witchy business happened in the woods, he is quick to position himself on the side of the accusers and threaten violence on Tituba if she doesn't confess (pg. John has 20+ years experience teaching at the college level in areas that include English and American literature, Humanities, and Interdisciplinary Studies. Scene 2 The Crucible Summary and Analysis Act I: Scene 2 Summary Abigail and Mercy, the Putnams' servant, try to wake Betty. He yells at Mary Warren, who is his servant, for leaving his house when he forbid her from doing so. answer choices . . Abigail claims there was no witchcraft involved. A woman named Tituba is introduced as the Parris family's middle-aged slave from Barbados; she tries to check on Betty, but she is immediately ordered out of the room by Reverend Parris. eNotes.com will help you with any book or any question. Tituba is dragged into the room to face these charges. The previous night, he saw Abigail and Betty dancing in the forest with Tituba. The rye the people ate had been completely poisoned by the ergot, since it spreads so quickly. Abigail Williams: The Mysterious Afflicted Girl. Salem Possessed: The Social Origins of Witchcraft. Parris is still trying to shut down the witchcraft conversation because of the damage it might do to his reputation. If you pleaded innocent then you would be hanged. orphan, 17 year old niece of Parris/ takes advantage of preacher's neice, beautiful girl, orphan because of Indian attack, manipulative. In Act 1 it becomes clear how mass hysteria can evolve out of desires for self-preservation. PLUS. The Putnams are glad that Parris has summoned Reverend Hale to investigate the situation because Hale supposedly caught a witch in Beverley recently. An old proverb-turned-poem begins like this: For want of a shoe, the horse was lost''. This quarrel, in my opinion, is the first domino in a domino effect. 100. I view this particular conflict as the beginning domino of a domino effect. Betty becomes alert and starts to speak. John Proctor questions Reverend Parris on his decision to summon Reverend Hale. At face value, Betty's actions in the play aren't much beyond the realm of childish and naughty. Ask below and we'll reply! If she can convince people that Goody Proctor is not to be trusted, the rumors about her own sins will lose credibility. Most of the major characters are introduced, and there are critical insights into various political and personal conflicts that threaten to disrupt the social order in the town of Salem. Though Reverend Parris hates to admit it, he starts to believe that witchcraft is the cause of Betty's sickness. In saying this, you mean to say that everyone in both Salems would have been contaminated. When Abigail admits that Ruth and Tituba were conjuring spirits, Thomas Putnam urges Parris to go on the offensive immediately with this information. It becomes clear that Betty's illness came on suddenly the night before when Reverend Parris discovered her dancing in the woods with other girls from the village. Because Miller's play is adapted from real incidents and draws so many details and characters directly from historical records, we can learn a great deal by looking at where he took creative liberties. Hale views the investigation of witchcraft as serious scientific inquiry. The original story was a Christian allegory. Proctor claims he doesnt go to church because all Parris talks about is Hell. Putnam, Parris, and Hale encourage her to tell them who she has seen (and plant the names of Goody Good and Goody Osburn in her mind as potential witches). A weak, paranoid and suspicious demagogue, Parris instigates the witchcraft panic when he finds his daughter and niece dancing in the woods with several other girls. John insists that he has recommitted himself to his wife, Elizabeth. Summary and Analysis Act I: Scene 4. The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points, How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer, Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests. Abigail realizes that she cant hide the truth completely now that Ann has revealed that she sent Ruth to Tituba to try and communicate with the dead. Mary and Mercy both leave, and Abigail and John are left alone. 400. As a father and master, he's inattentive and quick to anger. Above all, we are given the impression that he cares far more about his own reputation and public standing than he does abotu the poor figure of Betty lying prostrate in front of him. Why does Abigail slap Betty in Act 1? Betty and Mrs.Putnam exploit witchcraft and satanism to their advantage leading to the chaotic situation that occurs. Questions on the first act of The Crucible Learn with flashcards, games, and more for free. Betty Parris is the 10-year old daughter of Reverend Parris, who got strangely unconscious after Parris caught her and the other girls dancing in the forest with Tituba and her illness cause a rumors of witchcraft. Movies. Abigail had an affair with John Proctor. She is sure that it is witchcraft. Realizing her chance, Betty joins in the spree of accusations against other Salemites, effectively deflecting attention away from herself. Parris initially insists that there are no unnatural causes for Bettys illness, not because hes devoted to science and rationality, but because he fears that he will be disgraced if witchcraft is discovered under his roof. Though he is concerned about the health and well-being of his daughter, Betty, he is also clearly more upset about the possibility of losing his position and status in the community of Salem Village. She joins her friends late at night in the woods to play a game of magic rituals conducted by her father's slave, Tituba. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? According to the book An Account of the Life, Character, & c. of Samuel Parris, Betty continued to have fits when living in the Sewall household but eventually recovered: Parris appears to have been very desirous of preventing his daughter, Elizabeth, from participating in the excitement at the village. "My name is good in the village! Right from the start, we see him as a very selfish man whose only concerns are his status, wealth, and reputation. In act 1 of The Crucible, the Reverend Parris shows himself to be quite selfish and more than a little paranoid. Hale described the events in his book A Modest Enquiry Into the Nature of Witchcraft: In the latter end of the year 1691, Mr. Samuel Parris, pastor of the church is Salem Village, had a daughter of nine, and a niece of about eleven years of age, sadly afflicted of they knew not what distempers; and he made his application to the physicians, yet still they grew worse: And at length one physician gave his opinion, that they were under an evil hand. The character Betty Parris plays an important role in the story of the Crucible. Ever the politician, however, Parris quickly sees the developing witch-craze as a chance to hit back against his enemies. In act 4 of The Crucible, why does John Proctor decide to confess but refuse to sign a written confession? In the play, Betty accuses her cousin Abigail Williams of practicing witchcraft and drinking blood in order to kill John Proctors wife Elizabeth, although this did not happen in real life. in journalism. Reverend Parris is with his ailing daughter Betty in Act 1. Parris says that a lot of people in Salem need to hear more about Hell because he hasnt been properly compensated for his job based on his qualifications. copyright 2003-2022 Study.com. Whatever abomination you have done, give me all of it now, for I dare not be taken unaware when I go before them down there. I will not have it said my name is soiled! As the play opens, Reverend Parris kneels in prayer in front of his daughter's bed. He pleads with Abigail to reveal what took place in the woods before he arrived. People who were accused of being communists were strongly encouraged to name other communists. Then, another teenage girl named Mary Warren enters the room. Reputation is hugely important to these characters because its inextricably linked to respect and power in a highly interdependent community. He interrogates Abigail because hes worried his enemies will learn the full story first and use it to discredit him. Hale is somewhat intrigued and says they can discuss the issue later. The short summary is just the bare bones of what happened without getting into too much detail about conversations that are less relevant to the central plot. The longer Betty pretends, the more people in Salem begin to talk about witchcraft. Abigail is still in love with Proctor, but he wants to distance himself from her and recommit to Elizabeth. Betty begins screaming and covering her ears. Abigail is pressed with more questions about what exactly was going on in the woods. This action seems to imply that Parris believes witchcraft could be the source of Bettys illness. At this point in the conversation, a tormented middle-aged woman named Ann Putnam enters the room along with her husband, Thomas Putnam. And it is my face, and yours, Danforth! The scene opens in Reverend Parris's house, in a small upstairs bedroom, in the year 1692. The narrator describes Reverend Parris as a suspicious man in his mid-forties, one who often imagines that the world is against him. This is just a theory, but I believe it could be the cause of all of this. Parris is therefore presented as a weak character who is obsessed on what others think about him and his standing in the community. by paserei. Betty does not stir during their conversation until she hears her father and the others say, "going up to Jesus" as they recite a psalm from another room. Act 1 introduces the audience to several major characters: Reverend Parris, his niece Abigail, his daughter Betty, and his servant Tituba. relative to samuel parris looking to learn more anout him, Hi Christine, I plan on writing an article about Samuel Parris sometime this month so check back soon. She fears facing her troubles alone. Betty's dad is Reverend Parris, the new-ish church leader in Salem, who is paranoid about his reputation amongst the townspeople. Betty Parris is a character in the play, The Crucible, by Arthur Miller. Betty's childish taunting is met with real fear from Abigail. The Crucible Act 1 DRAFT. I'll provide both a short summary and a long summary. HE ALSO THOUGHT HE saw someone running naked in the woods . Parris knows that if word of the girls' weird midnight cavorting ever gets out, then his enemiesof whom there are manywill use it as an opportunity to destroy him. When he rejects her, she takes another route to power through accusations that exploit the fears of others to a point where even the most respected people in town are afraid to challenge her. This action seems to imply that Parris believes witchcraft could be the source of Bettys illness. Giles tries to consult Hale about his wife, Martha, who he says has been reading strange books. 35) that was explained in the last section. However, this quote has a much broader secular meaning that applies to the events in the play overall. She related this to Mrs. Sewall, who immediately told the child it was the devil, and he was a liar, and bid her to tell him so if he came to her again; which she did accordingly the next time the black man came to her. When Abigail begins to name witches, Betty does the same. 19). Betty is just acting up as kids are prone to do. Putnam fires back that he hasnt seen Proctor in church recently, so he clearly doesnt care that much about upholding the integrity of their society. Tell him I have sent for Reverend Hale of Beverly, and Mr. Hale will surely confirm that. An intelligent man, Hale sees himself as a scientist and philosopher, a kind of physician of the soul. Ten-year-old Betty Parris has contracted a mysterious illness that renders her mute and bedridden. thank you I just have always been intrigued by the view of the accused, and I have so many questions. 23 terms. 13 on which "his daughter, betty parris, aged ten, is lying inert" p. I saw him, i wrote in his book; Source: www.slideshare.net.a small upper bedroom in the home of reverend samuel. In the winter of 1691-1692, some of the afflicted girls reportedly dabbled in fortune-telling techniques, such as a venus glass in which the girls dropped an egg white into a glass of water so that a shape or symbol appeared, in an attempt to learn more about their future husbands and social status. Save. Here Abigail shifts the focus away from her own reputation by trashing the reputation of Goody Proctor. We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Tituba was permitted to explain what really happened, the tragic events of the rest of the play might have been prevented, Get Free Guides to Boost Your SAT/ACT Score. The Crucible Summary and Analysis Act I: Scene 1 Summary The Crucible begins in the house of Reverend Samuel Parris, whose daughter, Betty, lies unconscious in bed upstairs. A Comprehensive Guide. She tells him that Susanna Walcott is there with a message from the doctor. My name is good in the village! Betty names other people as witches, in order to escape being called a witch herself. Sarah Good and Betty Parris. answer choices. searching for marks of the Devils presence in the first place, Hale has already subscribed to superstition. In high school, she earned a 2400 on the SAT, 5's on all seven of her AP tests, and was named a National Merit Scholar. Her illness and that of Ruth Putnam fuel the first rumors of witchcraft. What is the real reason that Elizabeth Proctor fired Abigail Williams? Parris, the Putnams, and Mercy Lewis all rush in to check on her. When Tituba finally confesses to seeing people in the village working with the devil, Abigail joins in and begins to name more names. Abigail soon chimes in with her own hysterical set of confessions, claiming thatshe saw the Devil and wrote in his book. She is assumed to be possessed and screams upon hearing the Lord's name., This girl is the oldest and the presumed leader of the group. "You drank a charm to kill John Proctor's wife! Ann wanted Ruth to talk to her dead siblings and find out who killed them. Parris says that when he came upon the girls, he saw that they had a kettle with a frog in it. To her uncle's dismay, Abigail admits that Tituba and Ruth were conjuring spirits in the woods. And this sets the tone for his behavior in the rest of the play. Rebecca suggests that they should rely on the doctor and avoiding bringing Reverend Hale into the situation because it will cause unnecessary conflict. Parris is very concerned about damage to his reputation if witchcraft is discovered in his house. The snowballing sequence progresses from there, and eventually a kingdom is lost. Because she is much younger, Betty tends to follow Abigail's lead. Faced with this damning evidence of black magic, Abigail admits that Tituba called the Devil. The Reverend Parris distinguishes himself as rather a weak character in Act One. In light of this, what is the point of Act 1 of The Crucible? Ann Putnam is convinced that they upset Betty by saying the Lords name and that her reaction clearly means that she is bewitched with black magic. The Crucible Act 1 Summary Short Version Ten-year-old Betty Parris has contracted a mysterious illness that renders her mute and bedridden.