🔥Reverend Parris's desire for power fuels the hysteria in Salem.
🧙♀️The Puritans' fear of difference and original thought leads to conformity and persecution.
🧪The girls use accusations of witchcraft to avoid punishment and gain power.
🔮The townspeople's blind acceptance of authority enables the witch-hunt to escalate.
🌪️Selfish motivations and rumors drive the Salem witch-hunt.
What is the main cause of the hysteria in Salem?
—The main cause of the hysteria in Salem is Reverend Parris's desire for power and control.
Why do the Puritans condemn original thought and belief?
—The Puritans fear being excommunicated for any unorthodox opinions that do not align with their religion.
Why do the girls accuse others of witchcraft?
—The girls accuse others of witchcraft to avoid punishment for their own forbidden activities and gain power.
How does the townspeople's blind acceptance of authority contribute to the witch-hunt?
—The townspeople unquestioningly accept Reverend Parris's dictates, allowing the witch-hunt to escalate.
What drives the Salem witch-hunt?
—The Salem witch-hunt is primarily driven by selfish motivations and rumors among the citizens.
00:09Act one of The Crucible begins with Reverend Parris praying for his comatose daughter, Betty, and suspecting sorcery as the cause.
00:23Abigail Williams admits to dancing in the forest with the other girls, but denies any nakedness or witchcraft involvement.
00:55Mrs. Putnam shares gossip about witchcraft and suspects a witch murdered her previous children.
01:11Mr. Putnam accuses landowners he covets of witchcraft, fueling the hysteria.
01:21Abigail and Ruth confess to calling up spirits, escalating the accusations.
01:27Mercy Lewis reports that Ruth has awoken from sleepwalking, adding to the frenzy.
01:42Abigail commands the girls to keep silent about their activities and threatens them with a spell.
02:00Reverend Parris sews the seeds of hysteria to protect his position of power within the community.
