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Act one
Ten year old Betty parris has contracted a mysterious illnes that renders her mute and bedridden. Her father, reverend samuel Parris, caught her dancing in the woods the night before with a group of girls. rumors spread that witchcraft caused her illnes. -
Abigail had an affair with a farmer named John Proctor while serving in his house
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Reverend Hale, the church leader from the town of Beverley, is summoned to examine Betty because he's an expert on witchcraft.
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Act two
Mary returns from Salem after participating in the trials and gives Elizabeth a ragdoll she made in court. -
They find a needle in the doll Mary gave Elizabeth that corresponds to the needle that Elizabeth's familiar spirit supposedly used to stab Abigail.
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John angrily insists that Mary must tell the court Abigail is lying.
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Act three
Giles informs Danforth that Thomas Putnam told Ruth Putnam to accuse George Jacobs so Putnam could get Jacobs' land -
John admits to his affair with Abigail in desperation, but the usually truthful Elizabeth does not corroborate his claims because she doesn't know he's already confessed.
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John Proctor and Giles Corey are arrested, and Hale quits the court.
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Act four
Both Parris and Hale beg Danforth to either pardon the prisoners or postpone the hangings until confessions are obtained because Rebecca Nurse and John Proctor still have such good reputations, and their executions could cause an uprising. -
Danforth refuses because he's already executed other prisoners accused of the same crimes, and he doesn't want to look weak.
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John and Rebecca Nurse are led to the gallows to be executed.
