How Does Act One of 'The Crucible' by Arthur Miller Prepare Us For the Rest of the Play
How Does Act One of 'The Crucible' by Arthur Miller Prepare Us For the Rest of the Play?
'The Crucible' by Arthur Miller was first produced in the early 1950's. It is set in the late 17th century and is based on historical events surrounding the Salem witch-trials. It is also a parable regarding the events of the McCarthy Era, a political witch-hunt against communists in the USA. Miller prepares us for the rest of the play by small introductions into major themes and his use of suspense.
The scene first opens to show a small, barely furnished room and we are given the impression that these people do not lead a grand or expensive lifestyle. Although it is not said in the dialogue, it becomes clear the characters are Puritan and this gives the audience an indication to the way events may unfold. We see a man, who we later discover to be Reverend Parris, praying over a little girl who is lying on the bed, inert. It immediately becomes clear something is wrong and we are left in a quandary as we have nothing to deduce the answer from. The setting and the costume suggest a time period long before ours, so the characters would have very limited resources to finding out what ails the little girl.
A knock comes from the door and in enters Tituba, Parris' black slave. Parris is clearly angry with her and questions are asked as to why. This leaves Tituba in the back of a viewers mind, causing intrigue and wondering what revelations she may bring.
Susanna and Parris' niece, Abigail enter the room. Susanna explains that Doctor Griggs cannot find a 'natural cause' and suggests that Parris looks to 'unnatural causes'. Parris immediate dismissal at the slightest implication of witchcraft displays an apparent fear and this is confirmed by his strict, Puritan ways. Although it is unclear as to how it will be dealt with, it is likely that religion and the church will play a big part. Religion can be dangerous - as has been seen in history, for example The Crusades - and having such strong beliefs and fixed views can lead to narrow mindedness. The information that this is a Puritan community which is supposedly being tainted with witchcraft the hysteria to follow is inevitable. History does not change and when there is no one else to blame, people will victimise others.
What follows is a gradual unfolding of the previous nights events during a conversation between Parris and his niece, Abigail. At first, Miller creates confusion for the audience as although Parris appears to be deeply concerned for his daughters state, comments such as 'Abigail, do you know I have many enemies' and 'There is a faction that is sworn to drive me from my pulpit' makes those watching it wonder whether he is really just concerned about his reputation. It then becomes clear that later in the play, he may do whatever he can to keep a 'good' ...
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What follows is a gradual unfolding of the previous nights events during a conversation between Parris and his niece, Abigail. At first, Miller creates confusion for the audience as although Parris appears to be deeply concerned for his daughters state, comments such as 'Abigail, do you know I have many enemies' and 'There is a faction that is sworn to drive me from my pulpit' makes those watching it wonder whether he is really just concerned about his reputation. It then becomes clear that later in the play, he may do whatever he can to keep a 'good' name.
During Abigail and Parris' conversation, Abigail's tale almost seems rehearsed to convince Parris that the dancing was innocent. You can decide from this that Abigail is a practiced liar and this will most certainly lead to trouble.
Relationships between characters play a big part in 'The Crucible' and during Abigail and Parris' conversation we see the first signs of how it affects the story. Abigail clearly has a strong dislike for a character named Goody Proctor. 'It's a bitter woman, a lying, cold, snivelling, woman, and I will not work for such a woman!' By doing this Miller has raised an interest in why Abigail dislikes her so, the only explanation being that Abigail 'would not be her slave' and that Goody Proctor is a 'gossiping liar'. However, what is not answered is what led to these events, why has Goody Proctor supposedly been gossiping?
What Miller also does during act one is introduce characters, such as Goody Proctor and Reverend Hale who we do not meet until later in the play. However, we know we shall meet them at some point and have a vague idea of how their scenes will turn out. For example, Goody Proctor's scenes may be highly influenced by Abigail or her actions.
Goody Putnam enters. Her child, Ruth, who was also involved in the last nights activities has also fallen sick. The audience may, or may have not come to a conclusion whether something is actually wrong yet, but when they learn Ruth's eyes are open and Betty's are closed it becomes debatable as to how 'sick' they really are. Previously Abigail said she'd be whipped if she must. Betty is obviously a lot younger than Abigail and likely to be more frightened of a whipping than her. The chances are she is merely putting on an act to get out of trouble. There is the possibility that other characters will adopt this style of escaping punishment or by shifting the blame onto someone else later in the play.
It is clear when Goody Putnam enters and begins to talk about the rumours of Betty flying that everyone is very much into other people's business. They also live in a very tight-knit community so when something they have not experienced before, or there's a snag in the community you can expect there to be severe consequences.
It is revealed by Goody Putnam that Tituba can talk to the dead and having seven babies mysteriously die on the night of their birth, she sends Ruth to Tituba to find the cause of their death. Parris is shocked and turns to Abigail asking her if she was conjuring spirits, she denies it and puts the blame on Tituba and Ruth. This is the first accusation in the play and we know immediately that Tituba will suffer for it, particularly as she does not have a high position in society.
What follows is a scene between Abigail and the girls, Betty, Mercy and Mary. It is clear Abigail is the leader of the group and is determined to not let the truth get out, to the point she resorts to violence: '(smashes her (Betty) across the face)' and threats: 'Let either of you breathe a word...and I will come to you in the black of some terrible night and bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder you'. This means the girls are completely trapped under Abigail's net; she is clearly not someone to be reckoned with. It is also doubtful that she will have a 'change of heart' and so continue to tyrannise the girls.
However, Mary Warren almost seems to want the truth to be out ('Abby, we've got to tell') and although she is by far the more timid of the two you cannot help wonder whether she will tell the truth.
Abigail's reason for hitting Betty was because she announced out loud - although not in front of anyone who was not at the forest - that Abigail killed a charm to kill Goody Proctor. This shows Abigail clearly has no qualms with murder and to what extent she will go to for revenge or to bring about what she wants.
An old affair becomes apparent between John Proctor and Abigail in the next scene. However, John called it off, much to Abigail's dislike. This explains Abigail's hatred for his wife and why she means to kill her. When Abigail tries to re-ignite the affair, John pushes her away and gently calls her a child. She becomes angry at his rejection and the audience knowing what they already know about her can come to the conclusion later in the play Abigail will certainly take action either against John or his wife again.
Rebecca Nurse, a highly respected person in the village, enters. Betty quietens and Good Putnam asks her to see if she can wake Ruth, Rebecca says she will wake in her own time. Goody Putnam becomes sarcastic and from there on, the problems between people arise, particularly between Proctor and Parris and Proctor and Putnam. Parris, because Proctor does not like the way he preaches and Putnam believes the land Proctor owns is his. This shows later in the play, Proctor will not have support from either character or one of the turns fully against him.
John Proctor's open dislike for Parris and his ways may also not bode well for him in the future. Should someone accuse him of witchcraft, his attitude could be used against him as evidence in the future.
Reverend Hale arrives, the witchcraft 'expert'. He Interviews Abigail, when asked if she summoned the Devil she denies it and blames Tituba, claiming she also made her drink blood. They then begin to interrogate Tituba, almost putting the words into her mouth. Tituba's position plays a vital role, as if she had been anyone else they would have not questioned her in such an aggressive manner. When it becomes too much for her, she breaks and announces she saw George Jacobs and Goody Howe with the Devil. This sets Abigail and Betty up to accuse others in the village. From there on it can be expected that if someone has a bad history with them they could get away with accusing them of witchcraft, as it was just seen when Putnam attempted to get Tituba to say she saw Sarah Good. From this you could also presume that none of the accusations afterwards to be true.
Act one has moments of high tension and moments where things are quieter. This fluctuation of atmosphere prepares the audience for the drama to follow. The atmosphere is created through the raising of issues and questions which the audience want answered and make there own conclusions, however it's the events leading to the final conclusion that create the drama. Act one prepares us for what is to follow by giving a small amount of information which logical conclusions can be drawn from, or ideas of what to expect.
Lian Patston 19th October
