The Crucible Conflicts

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The Crucible is a play by Arthur Miller, concerning the Salem witch trials of 1692, in the small parish of Salem Village, Massachusetts. In Act I of The Crucible, the situation and initial conflicts of the play are introduced. The first main conflict is between Reverend Parris and the village, and the second main conflict is between Abigail and the Proctors. These conflicts set the tone for the rest of the play, giving the reader an idea of the many conflicts to come. Reverend Parris is the reverend of the village. He has lots of power because the Puritans are religiously strict. Lots of the characters in the play don’t care for Parris, because he gives harsh sermons week after week. The village doesn’t like the way Parris preaches, but it would be against their faith to stop going to church, even if they don’t come away with anything new from the sermons. One villager in particular, John Proctor, absolutely resents Reverend Parris. Proctor dislikes Parris so much, he won’t even go to church, making him a sort of outsider in the village. Parris is very worried about keeping his job and reputation, so …show more content…

Abigail Williams, Parris’ niece, used to work for the Proctors, until she got fired. She was fired when Elizabeth discovered her husband, having an affair with Abigail. John didn’t want Abby to lose her job, so he tried to convince Elizabeth it wouldn’t happen again, but she stood her ground and fired Abigail. Later, when John and Abigail see each other, Abigail reveals her feelings of John to him. John tells her they can’t see each other anymore, in fear of losing his wife. It is obvious he still longs for Abby, at least some, because she catches him looking up at her window and he admits he thinks of her from time to time. Abby is still deeply in love with John, but he won’t leave Elizabeth. When Abby was caught dancing in the woods, it is revealed she was drinking blood, trying to put a curse on Elizabeth to kill

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