The Crucible Through a Historical lens

Question

I need Help on this Please :)

1. When people find out that Betty and Ruth are sick, why do their thoughts immediately go to witchcraft?
2. What does this reveal about the state of their society? What kind of relationships do the towns people have with each other?
3. Why does it scare Reverend Parris so badly that the people are talking of witchcraft?

Answer 1

1. When people find out that Betty and Ruth are sick, their thoughts go immediately to witchcraft because it is an illness that they cannot explain. Because Betty is suffering from mental and emotional trauma, the people are unable to see and diagnose her illness. They assume she has had a spell put on her by a witch.
2. This shows us that the society is living in a constant state of paranoia. Anything that they cannot explain can be attributed to witchcraft. This causes a lot of strain on even the strongest of relationships. People who have known each other their entire lives and even people who are married can turn on each other in an instant because they are so afraid of the possibility of witchcraft.
3. Reverend Parris is scared that people are talking about witchcraft in Salem because he is afraid that it will ruin his reputation. He believes that people will no longer respect him as a reverend because the Devil has made his way into Salem.