Notes

Why did the Salem settlement need a theocracy? Why had the settlers begun to turn toward individualism? The Puritans chose a theocracy to maintain unity in their settlements. The rules of the settlement were extremely strict which in some senses they needed for survival, but after living under such strict law for so long, people began to crave freedoms that were denied to them by the theocracy.
How does Miller characterize Parris? How does Parris feel about his parishioners? He is a man who symbolizes the particular quality of moral repression and paranoia that drive the trials. Miller immediately establishes Parris as a man whose main concern is his reputation and status in the community, rather than the well-being of his daughter. Parris showed an obsession with damnation and hell in order to strike fear into his parishioners.
Why is Thomas Putnam willing to speak of witchcraft? How does Mrs. Putnam know what Ruth was doing in the woods? Putnam demonstrates that his motivation involves his longstanding grudges against others; the witchcraft trials give Putnam an opportunity to exact revenge against others, and, as will later be shown to profit economically from others' executions. Mrs. Putnam knows what Ruth was doing because she asked Ruth to go to Tituba to raise her children from the dead.
Why does Abigail “admit” that Tituba and Ruth were conjuring spirits? Why is Abigail afraid the others will confess what they were doing in the woods? How does Abigail treat the other girls? How does she treat her uncle? Abigail is afraid the other girls will confess what was truly going on in the woods and she doesn't want to get into trouble. She admits that Tituba and Ruth were conjuring spirits only to save Betty from being accused of witchcraft. Abigail treats the other girls badly, but treats her uncle good and with respect.
What are Abigail’s feelings towards John Proctor? Why is she antagonistic toward Elizabeth Proctor? Why has she been asked to leave her home? Why does she tell John what happened to Betty? Abigail is in love with John Proctor. When she worked for the Proctors, she and John had a brief affair. John regretted it almost immediately and Elizabeth, suspicious of the looks passing between John and Abigail, let Abigail go. Abigail still loves John and she not only is antagonistic toward Elizabeth because Elizabeth asked Abigail to leave the Proctor house, she is jealous of Elizabeth. Abigail sees Elizabeth as an impediment to her own happiness and she thinks if Elizabeth is out of the way, she can have John. Abigail also accuses Elizabeth of spreading rumors about her in the town.
Why do Proctor and Rebecca speak out against Hale’s coming? Why has Proctor set himself against Parris? How does Rebecca’s departure affect those waiting at the bedside? a) Proctor and Rebecca speak out against Hale's coming because they do not think the incidence is serious enough to warrant an outsider coming to help with their community's affairs.
​b) Proctor has set himself against Parris because he dislikes Reverend Parris' focus on Satan and Hell instead of God and Heaven.
​c) Those waiting at the bedside become much more antagonistic and volatile when Rebecca leaves.
Why does Abigail accuse Tituba? Why does Hale believe Abigail rather than Tituba? How does he lead Tituba into naming names? Why do Abigail and Betty name names? Abigail accuses Tituba because she feels others will think witchcraft is something Tituba would likely be involved in. Also, Tituba is a slave who is outside of their community and is considered different and is also in a powerless position because she is a slave, so it is likely Abigail will be believed. Hale believe Abigail rather than Tituba because Tituba is a slave and does not have the full trust of those in the community. She is from a heathen society, and is therefore likely to have heathen practices Abigail and Betty name names because they want to take the attention off themselves, and they think blaming others will be easier than convincing the adults that the story isn't actually true