The Crucible Act 1 Part 4 Summary
The Crucible is a play written by the famous American playwright, Arthur Miller. The play shows how the superstitious behaviour of the people of Salem related to witchcraft leads to serious consequences for the society. Through this drama, the writer intends to convey how illogical thinking or superstitions can lead people astray as a society and cause their downfall. And in today’s article, you will learn about The Crucible Act 1 part 4 summary so that you can understand how the plot develops in that section.
Summary of The Crucible Act 1 Part 4:
When Parris hears Betty’s screaming, he runs to her room. Ann Putnam also follows him with feverish excitement for being curious. Thomas Putnam and Mercy Lewis also follow them to Betty’s room. Then, Parris enters her room, and he sees her moaning and attempting to get up from her bed. At this, Abigail tells him that Betty sat up suddenly and started screaming, and this happened when she heard Parris sing a sacred hymn, psalm. That’s when Mrs. Putnam comments that Betty could not tolerate the god’s name in the house. Parris instructs Mercy to visit the doctor immediately and explain to him everything that happened in the house. She runs to visit the doctor.
Then, a white-haired woman, aged 72 years, Rebecca Nurse, enters the room while leaning on a walking stick. Mr. Putnam tells her that whimpering Betty is a living proof of witchcraft. Afterwards, Giles Corey, a still energetic and strong old man of 83 years, enters the room. He is curious and intends to know whether Betty is going to fly again or not because he had heard of her flying in Salem. However, he is told that he should remain quiet. Now everyone is silent in the room. Then, Rebecca goes near Betty’s bed. Due to Rebecca’s gentle vibes, whimpering Betty becomes silent surprisingly.
Everyone in the room is surprised after seeing the improvement in Betty’s condition. Then, Thomas Putnam requests Rebecca to visit Ruth and check whether she can make her conscious or not. In response, Rebecca sits and instructs him to be silent and wait for Ruth’s consciousness. She suggests Mr. and Mrs. Putnam that they should not assert so early that witchcraft is the reason behind the girls’ condition. She also advises Mr. Parris that he should not look for loose spirits in the area as he has promised the Salem people to do so. At this, Mr. Parris remarks that the parishioners believe that the Devil’s being is present among them, and he must be found and punished to relieve the town. However, for some time, he would make them believe that the truth might be the opposite of what they think. He also informs Rebecca that he has told them that he has called Rev John Hale (an authoritative minister on witches). At this, Rebecca tries to convince Parris that there is no need for the minister at present. And he should send him back as soon as he reaches here. She also remarks that the requirement of the current situation is that they must trust in the medicine and prayer.
However, Thomas Putnam opposes Rebecca’s view and asks Parris to look for the signs of witchcraft in Salem immediately after Reverend Hale’s arrival. Then, John Proctor objects to this suggestion and emphatically says to Parris that he shouldn’t do such an act without the approval of their society’s representatives. In response, Putnam answers Proctor in the same tone by saying that he is not often seen at Sabbath meetings. Therefore, there is no need to mention the society’s approval now. At this, Proctor responds angrily that many people remain away from the church like him because Parris is heard preaching hellfire and bloody damnation instead of other Godly matters usually. At this response, Parris and Proctor’s quarrel starts. After some time, Parris exaggerates the Salem people’s dislike for him into a danger against God and churches. Parris even states that he knows that his enemies belong to a faction against him. Then, Thomas Putnam adds more fuel to the fire by saying that the faction is not only against him but also against the divine authority. In response, Proctor mockingly remarks that he intends to find and join that faction.
Then, Rebecca tries to end the fight and reconcile the men, but she fails. She fails because Proctor states that he does not like the restrictions of the authority (Mr. Parris). Afterwards, Giles Corey’s support for Parris leads to another fight over the property rights. After some time, Proctor asks Corey to assist him in dragging some wood to his home from the forest. But Mr. Putnam objects to this by saying that the wood Proctor intends to drag towards his home belongs to his part of the forest. On hearing this, Corey supports Proctor because he knows very well about the habit of the Putnam family of claiming the lands that are not theirs. Then, this quarrel ends soon due to the arrival of the minister of Beverly, Rev John Hale.
Conclusion:
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