The Crucible

In Andrew Miller’s The Crucible, a developing pilgrim town is thrown into disarray after Parris, a minister, finds his daughter, servant, niece and their friends dancing in the forest. As his daughter is unconscious from the surprise, the people of Salem think that it is witchcraft. Tituba, Parris’ servant, Abigail, Parris’ niece, and Betty, Parris’ daughter, accuse people of being witches. The reason Tituba, Abigail, and Betty make these claims is because of the circumstances they were under during the time of investigation.
During the play, Tituba was the first person to make claims of people accompanying the Devil. She does so because of the extreme pressure she was put under. Accusing Tituba, Abigail begins with, “She made me do it! She made Betty do it! She makes me drink blood!” (847). Abby uses Tituba as a scapegoat and places the blame on her. Abby does not want to be charged with witchcraft. Tituba tries to explain herself and deny these claims but they do not give her a chance. The threats and accusations of Tituba just escalate and worsen.
Tituba: I have no power on this child, sir.
Hale: You most certainly do, and you will free her from it now! When did you make compact with the Devil?
Tituba: I don’t compact with no Devil!
Parris: You will confess yourself or I will take you out and whip you to your death, Tituba!
Putnam: This woman must be hanged! She must be taken and hanged! (847)

Hale, Parris, and Putnam all accuse her of being a witch, regardless of the lack of evidence given.   Parris and Putnam threaten her violently, saying that she will be whipped, beaten, or hanged if she does not tell the truth. From all the pressure she receives from the threats and accusations, she finally cracks and tells them what they want to hear out of self-preservation. Tituba offers up names “rocking and weeping”, saying, “and there was Goody Good… and Goody Osburn” (848).   Because of the accusations of witchcraft and her powerless position, Tituba is...