The Crucible by Arthur Miller The show begins in a small town during the Salem witch trials of 1692. The show is set in Salem, Massachusetts. The event takes place in Puritan society. The community is described as superstitious and gullible. The Crucible is based on a true story, so the setting is real. Act 1 The Crucible begins in the bedroom of Betty Parris, the ailing daughter of town preacher Samuel Parris. The people of the village began to spread rumors that witchcraft was the cause of Betty's illness. Reverend John Hale is called by Mr. Parris to find out what is going on, because Hale is an investigator into strange events involving witchcraft. Samuel accuses and interrogates Abigail Williams, his niece, of dancing and singing around a fire in the woods with Betty and her slave, Tituba, to summon evil spirits. She denies these claims and says she and the other girls were just dancing. The other girls are then threatened by Abigail to prevent them from telling what really happened in the forest. Later in the scene, John Proctor enters the room and Abigail talks about their relationship. Then, Tibuta confesses to witchcraft after being interrogated by Parris and Hale under threat of being whipped to death. She is only sentenced to a short prison sentence because she accuses Sarah Good and Goody Osborne of the crime. Betty and Abigail also confess to witchcraft and begin accusing nearly every woman in town until Act 2. John Proctor returns home from working in his fields to his wife, Elizabeth. They discuss his relationship with Abigail. Mary Warren, their maid, enters. It tells of a death sentence for one of the accused witches. He gives Elizabeth a small doll made to represent a person. Mary tells them that Elizabeth's name has been mentioned at court and goes to bed. John and Elizabeth continue to argue. John Hale appears at their door. He goes to each house, talks to those who have been mentioned in court, trying to find out more information about them. John says he knows Abigail and the other girls aren't telling the truth. Two citizens of Salem who have had their wives arrested show up and it is not long before a group arrives to arrest Elizabeth.