The Crucible

Arthur Miller explains that everyone in Salem wanted vengeance upon others for various reasons. Because of that, witchcraft accusations flew.

The girls were dancing and some of them were not wearing clothes. There was a frog in the pot and Tituba was chanting.

Revered Parris wants to remain minister and fears any evidence that may harm his reputation.

She thinks that the girls are faking witchcraft to get attention.

She has lost all but one of her children shortly after they were born and wants someone to blame (a scapegoat).

John Proctor questions Reverend Parris's beliefs and morals. He sees that Revered Parris is more concerned with keeping his position as minister than with practicing his true religion and devotion to God.

John Proctor cheated on Elizabeth Proctor, his wife, with Abigail Williams once. Abigail Williams is now obsessed with John and wants to be his wife, but John feels guilty after committing adultery.

Abigail Williams is jealous of Elizabeth Proctor and thus despises her.

He never attended church before he married his wife. He reports that his wife reads books that he does not know about. Also, he files lawsuits regularly.

He wants more land and therefore, more power.

He is a reverend who is summoned to Salem to identify witches. He puts the majority of Salem in jail, but later realizes that there is no witchcraft in Salem- only corruption. He leaves and returns later.

She confesses because she is being whipped. Her confession causes the women to begin accusing one another.

Elizabeth Proctor knows that John committed adultery and she cannot forgive him for that.

She fears Abigail Williams's instability and thinks that she will do anything to get her out of the way so that she can have John Proctor for herself.

They must confess to witchcraft.

Mary Warren defended Elizabeth Proctor when she was accused of witchcraft during the trails.

Reverend Parris is more concerned with keeping his position as minister. He purchased gold and candles.

Because they were not attending church and there was a needle in Abigail William's abdomen.

Adultery

Because their wives were accused of witchcraft and they were concerned with the corruption in Salem.

She is arrested for witchcraft and put in jail.

That she tell the court that she put the needle in the doll to free Elizabeth Proctor of accusations, but Mary refuses because she says that Abigail will kill her.

Of telling his daughter to accuse Giles Corey's wife of witchcraft so that he could buy Giles Corey's land.

He begins to see that Salem's court and church are corrupt. He finally withdraws himself from the court and its proceedings.

Because she is pregnant and the church will not kill an innocent child.

He confesses that he committed adultery and had an affair with Abigail Williams. He calls her a "*****".

It was mainly about the corruption in the Puritan church. He cries that God is dead. This speech demonstrates his almost complete madness and loss of faith-"in hypocrites!!!" (Mr. Sturdevant commented)

Salem is falling apart. Because so many are in jail, children and animals run free. Everyone is confused and frightened by the extent to which the trails have been taken and fear that they will be accused next.

To save his own reputation and position.

He knows that he made a mistake, but does not want to look like a fool after arresting and hanging so many people. He wants to look like he did what was right, so he says that John Proctor must confess and sign a document to save his life as well as Danforth's own reputation. He refuses to postpone the executions because it will appear that he is hesitating and questioning his decision.

To convince the accused to confess and save their innocent lives.

She wants John Proctor to do what he wishes and "have his goodness".

She has forgiven John Proctor and apologizes for keeping such a "cold house".

He was crushed to death by stones because he didn't want to subject someone else to hatred from Thomas Putnam over key land by divulging a name. He, himself, would die either way.

He does not want his confession nailed to the church door before all to see. He claims that he has left is his name and they won't even leave him that.

She is spared for at least a year because she is pregnant.

His reputation has been destroyed and he is fired.

She goes to Boston and becomes a prostitute.