Question

the crucible act i analysis

1. why is reverend parris praying at the beginning of act one? might he have more than one reason?
2. describe what reverend parris encountered in the woods. why would this be an upsetting sight for a puritan minister?
3. infer why the putnams have reason to pursue the rumors of witchcraft. what tragedy in mrs. putnams life?

based on the context, what does reverend parris mean when he asks abigail if her name is entirely \white\?
how does abigail initially defend the girls behavior in the woods? how does this change when she wakes betty up?
what has happened in abigails past that causes the girls to fear her?
who is rebecca nurse? what effect does her presence have on betty? how does mrs. putnam feel about rebecca?
examine and explain john proctors reasoning for not going to church? do you agree?
in what way does abigails behavior change when she is alone with proctor? what do you learn about abigail and proctor in this scene?
why do you think the girls begin their accusations when they could have just confessed to the entire situation?

Explanation:

1. Reverend Parris is praying at the start of Act One partly because his daughter Betty is ill and in a seemingly - comatose state, and he fears for her well - being and the potential presence of witchcraft in his household which could damage his reputation as a minister.
2. In the woods, Parris saw the girls dancing. For a Puritan minister, this was an upsetting sight as dancing was considered a sin, and any form of behavior that deviated from strict Puritan values was a threat to the religious order.
3. The Putnams pursue rumors of witchcraft in part because Mrs. Putnam has lost seven children in infancy. She is desperate for an explanation and blames supernatural forces, believing that a witch may have caused their deaths.

Answer:

1. He is praying because his daughter Betty is ill and he is worried about his reputation if witchcraft is suspected in his household.
2. He saw the girls dancing, which is a sin for Puritans.
3. Mrs. Putnam has lost seven children in infancy and is looking for an explanation in witchcraft.