Act 4 - Proctor Hangs

Today is a painful day for sure. John Proctor was given a second chance at life and he threw it all away for the sake of his pride. Poor Elizabeth, how will she do this alone? She has two young boys and a child on the way that she will have to care for. This is just a horrible situation.

There were many people present at the gallows today for the hanging of Rebecca Nurse, John Proctor, and Martha Corey. It was a sad sight to see all three of those people with a noose around their necks. It was evident that many people felt remorseful for Rebecca Nurse. I could not bear to watch her hang. She was such a good and honest women that everyone respected.

As they stood on the platform with the noose around their necks they began to recite the Lord's Prayer. It was a bittersweet moment for all. I know people in the town will surely miss them all.

-Parris

Act 4 - Proctor's Decision

Today Proctor decided that he would confess to being involved in witchcraft. Well, at least that is how it was supposed to happen.

After Hale asked Elizabeth to convince Proctor to confess he decided that he wanted his life. Reverend Hale stated that it would be a bigger sin to die for pride than to lie and save one's own life. John Proctor seemed to agree with that for a while. Proctor confessed to witchcraft in front of Governor Danforth and when he thought that only his word was enough Danforth made him sign his name as evidence. Proctor really struggled to sign his name. You could see the strain and resentment as he signed. He did not look like a man that had just spared his life. To make it worse, Governor Danforth was going to post the signature on the church door. This is when Proctor lost it. He took the piece of paper and he tore it into shreds. He said that he would rather die than live a life of lies. Proctor will hang.

-Parris

Elizabeth Tries to Convince Proctor

Today it was decided that Elizabeth Proctor should be released from the jail to try and convince Proctor to confess and spare his own life. I thought it might be a good idea, but Elizabeth is good and she might tell him to do what is honest and true.

I never thought that I would say this, but I hope Proctor confesses. I am overcome with guilt. Please Lord, let Proctor confess so that he may keep his life and take care of his wife and children . We have learned that Elizabeth is with child for sure.

After Elizabeth and Proctor talked for a while, he came off of the beach saying, "I want my life!" Praise God!

-Parris

Hale is in the Jails.

It appears that Reverend Hale is trying to save the day. If the people accused of witchcraft do not confess to witchcraft they will be hanged. Danforth will not listen to anyone. He has already sent so many people to their death that he feels he cannot change anything. He is just too prideful and arrogant.

Knowing this, Reverend Hale is trying to get the prisoners to confess so that they will not die. He feels that not confessing and losing your life is a bigger sin than lying and keeping the precious gift of life. I do hope that people will confess. I could not bear to watch Rebecca Nurse and Martha Corey hang because I know that they are innocent and good women. I hate to say it, but I wish Proctor would also confess and spare his life. We shall see what happens. Right now no one is quite sure of anything.

-Parris

Act 4 - Abigail Has Vanished!

The worst thing that could have ever happened, has happened. Abigail is gone. She has taken all of my money and she has completely disappeared. I have no clue where she could have gone.

I cannot believe that all of this has happened. At first, it was just some silly girls dancing in a forest, and now so many have died. I feel guilty as I could possibly be. I have been weeping uncontrollably for days. I cannot eat, I cannot sleep, and I cannot pray. I feel that I am mostly responsible for this whole catastrophe. If I could go back in time and do things differently I most certainly would. I was just so worried about myself that at the time I would do anything for the blame not to land on me. What I am going through now is worse than I could have ever imagined.

Last night heard a loud bang on my door. I had no idea what it could have been so I went outside and to my amazement there was a knife stuck in the door. There is only one reason someone would do this. They are tired of all of the lies and they want to repay me for all that has been done. I fear for my life and if I die I'm not sure where I would go. Maybe this can all be repaired somehow, but I am almost certain that it cannot.

-Parris

Act 3 - Mary Turns on Proctor

After that whole display with Mary Warren and the girls, Mary decided that it was time to tell the truth. She started yelling, "You're the devil's man!" at John Proctor. Praise God! This is working out perfectly. Mary Warren said that John Proctor made her sing the "Devil's Book", and that Proctor came to overthrow the entire court. I was exactly right the whole time. I just knew that John Proctor had bad intentions.

While this was happening, Revered Hale was in an outrage. He said that he denounced the proceedings and quit the court. It has been a wild day indeed in Salem. I don't think this dry town has ever seen this much excitement.

-Parris

Act 3 - Abigail Turns on Mary

Today in court another astonishing thing has happened. John Proctor brought in Mary Warren to testify. She claimed that she made the poppet and that the girls were just dancing in the forest. She also claims that all the girls are faking. The court asked her to fake a faint like she claimed she had done and she could not faint! This proves that Abigail and the girls are telling the truth. It got even more hectic when Abigail started wailing about something crazy. She said there was a bird up in the ceiling and that it was going to attack her. She said it was Mary Warren that was sending out her spirit to cause harm on her and the girls. Every time Mary would speak, the girls would also speak. The courtroom was in a great uproar. Nobody was certain what exactly was going on. There is much more to come.

-Parris

Act 3 - Danforth Questions Elizabeth

I have never seen a courtroom in this much chaos as this one is in now. Abigail acts as if she is being afflicted upon by evil spirits. She runs about the courtroom with the other girls acting as if they are being attacked, but they are the only ones that see.

Today Governor Danforth questioned Elizabeth Proctor. Mr. Proctor had the audacity to say that he committed adultery with my Abigail! I could not hardly believe my ears when he said that. I know Abigail has had some rough times, but she cannot help it! She has come from a broken family. She has seen things that anyone should ever see, but she would never commit adultery!

Elizabeth was brought in for questioning and Proctor says she is an honest women and that she never lies. Elizabeth denied that she removed Abigail from her service for committing adultery with Abigail. Proctor must have lied. I know that the man is out to get me and my family.

-Parris

Giles and Francis Declare Their Wives Have Been Arrested

Today I have heard that Gile's wife and Francis' wife have been arrested. This whole thing is getting is completely out of order. The town is in an uproar and their all on the brink of insanity. Everything is just plain mass hysteria. I can somewhat believe Martha Corey being arrested because of her strange book reading, but Rebecca Nurse? Martha Corey is at least a little suspicious, but Rebecca Nurse is the most unlikely suspect! She is one of the most respected women in the town. How could she be convicted? It has to be false, but then again maybe she is guilty. She could just be a great deceiver.

-Parris

Act 2 - Hale Questions Proctor

Today Reverend Hale went to question the Proctors about the Christian character of their house. I do not respect the man that John Proctor is. He is hardly ever in church. His actions show that he is not a God-fearing man. Today Mr. Hale asked him to recite the ten commandments and he could not! Mr. Hale said that he could not remember the commandment, "Thou shalt not commit adultery."

This is a good reason to suspect the Proctor family of witchcraft. If he cannot even say all of his commandments then I say he is dancin' with the devil! I hope Proctor is guilty of some kind of crime! I would not mind seeing his face out of this town.

-Parris

Act 2 - Early Arrests

So much has happened in so little time. I cannot even count how many people have been arrested. Betty and Abigail have been professing all of the women they have seen with the Devil. Left and right they are naming names without the slightest hesitation. I must admit, I am a bit reluctant to believe all those women are involved in witchcraft, but they are outcasts in the community. The town will not grieve over their death. Most people might be a little relieved that they are gone.

I hope my ministry will not be affected, and I wish to ensure the safety of my daughters. I know it is what their parents would want. If the outcasts must die then so be it, but the noose will not come anywhere near my families neck.

-Parris

Act 1 - Town People Assume Betty's Possessed...

The whole town is gossiping now. I do not know what I shall do if she does not get better soon. I may have to quit my ministry and then I would have nothing! God forbid that I, of all people, is thrown into jail.

The people will not stop talking about my Betty. They all keep saying she is possessed by some kind of spirits, and there is so much talk of witchcraft. It is the only thing people are talking about. This witchcraft hysteria has taken over all of Salem. This gossip is spreading around town like the plague. If people here prayed and read the scriptures as much as they gossip the would all be saints!

All Betty does is lie on the bed looking like she is in some kind of trance. I do not know what to do anymore. Maybe Reverend Hale will help us...

-Parris

Act 1 - Ann Reveals She Sent Girls to Tituba

Today I received the most astounding news from Mrs. Putnam. I could not beleive my ears when she informed me that she deliberately sent Ruth to Tituba. My Tituba? Her explanation was that she ahd laid seven babies unbabtized in the Earth, and she wanted to find out who "murdered" her babies. I could understand being remorseful about losing children, but I would not go to the extent of conjuring spirits! I told her that it is a formidable sin to conjure up the dead. This just makes matters so much worse! Mr. Putnam said, "There is a murdering witch among us, bound to keep herself in the dark." When he said this I was utterly terrified for Betty. I hope this matter clears up. Besides, it was just a couple of girls dancing in the woods. Wasn't it?

-Parris

Act 1 - Ruth's Also Sick

Earlier today Mr. Putnam and Mrs.Putnam paid us a visit at the house. I am afraid the visit did not soothe any of my worries or fears. In fact, I am feeling worse than I ever was before. I am in a complete state of crisis! I have been praying all day but I still do no know what to do. Goody Putnam came with the horribly dreadful news that her Ruth is also sick with this strange illness. Mr. Putnam, that bitter man, is set upon witchcraft as the cause, but I will not yield. I am only bringing Reverend Hale here as a precaution. I will fight anything that has to do with witchcraft. My ministry will not be hurt by this atrocious monstrosity!

I am still very worried about Betty and now Ruth is sick too. What is the matter with the little children? Why are they the only ones that seem to be inflicted? God, give me mercy.

-Parris

Act 1 - Betty's Strange Illness

Today the most awful thing happened. I've never seen anything like it in all my years of ministry! Betty is completely unresponsive. She will not eat or speak, she lies on the bed looking pale as a ghost. I do not know what to think or how to treat her. I am deathly afraid for her well being. I saw Tituba and girls from the village up to something in the forest. I would hate to think that they were doing something awful, but I have a feeling that witchcraft had something to do with it. I have summoned Reverend Hale to come and see Betty. He knows all about matters such as this one. I cannot let the word get around that witchcraft has come upon my household. The whole town would find out and rumors would start spreading like wildfire. I cannot imagine how it would affect my ministry.
-Parris