ARTHUR MILLER: The Crucible Read this extract, and then answer the question that follows it. Putnam: [at the moment he is intent upon getting PARRIS, for whom he has only contempt, to move toward the abyss] Mr Parris, I have taken your part in all contention here, and I would continue; but I cannot if you hold back in this. There are hurtful, vengeful spirits layin' hands on these children. 5 Parris: But, Thomas, you cannot— Putnam: Ann! Tell Mr Parris what you have done. Mrs Putnam: Reverend Parris, I have laid seven babies unbaptized in the earth. Believe me, sir, you never saw more hearty babies born. And yet, each would wither in my arms the very night of their birth. I have spoke nothin', but my heart has clamoured intimations. And now, this year, my Ruth, my only—I see her turning strange. A secret child she has become this year, and shrivels like a sucking mouth were pullin' on her life too. And so I thought to send her to your Tituba— To Tituba! What may Tituba—? Tituba knows how to speak to the dead, Mr Parris. Parris: Mrs Putnam: Parris: Goody Ann, it is a formidable sin to conjure up the dead! I take it on my soul, but who else may surely tell us what person murdered my babies? [horrified] Woman! They were murdered, Mr Parris! And mark this proof! Mark it! Last night my Ruth were ever so close to their little spirits; I know it, sir. For how else is she struck dumb now except some power of darkness would stop her mouth? It is a marvellous sign, Mr Parris! Don't you understand it, sir? There is a murdering witch among us, bound to keep herself in the dark. [PARRIS turns to BETTY, a frantic terror rising in him.] Let your enemies make of it what they will, you cannot blink it more. [to ABIGAIL] Then you were conjuring spirits last night. [whispering] Not I, sir—Tituba and Ruth. [turns now, with new fear, and goes to BETTY, looks down at her, and then gazing off] Oh, Abigail, what proper payment for my charity! Now I am undone. You are not undone! Let you take hold there. Wait for no one to charge you—declare it yourself. You have discovered witchcraft— In my house? In my house, Thomas? They will topple me with this! They will make of it a— Enter MERCY LEWIS, the Putnam's servant, a fat, sly, merciless girl of eighteen. Your pardons. I only thought to see how Betty is. Why aren't you home? Who's with Ruth? Her grandma come. She's improved a little, I think she give a powerful sneeze before. Ah, there's a sign of life? I'd fear no more, Goody Putnam. It were a grand sneeze; another like it will shake her wits together, I'm sure. [She goes to the bed to look.] 10 15 20 25 Mrs Putnam: Putnam: Parris: Abigail: Parris: Putnam: 30 35 40 Parris: Mercy: Putnam: Mercy: 45 Mrs Putnam: Mercy: 50 Parris: Abigail: Parris: Putnam: Will you leave me now, Thomas? I would pray a while alone. Uncle, you've prayed since midnight. Why do you not go down and— No—no. [To PUTNAM] I have no answer for that crowd. I'll wait till Mr Hale arrives. [To get MRS PUTNAM to leave.] If you will, Goody Ann... Now look you, sir. Let you strike out against the Devil, and the village will bless you for it! Come down, speak to them—pray with them. They're thirsting for your word, Mister! Surely you'll pray with them. [swayed] I'll lead them in a psalm, but let you say nothing of witchcraft yet. I will not discuss it. The cause is yet unknown. I have had enough contention since I came; I want no more. Mercy, you go home to Ruth, d'y'hear? Aye, mum. MRS PUTNAM goes out. 55 60 Parris: 65 Mrs Putnam: Mercy: How does Miller dramatically convey in this passage the tensions and hatreds in Salem?