Crucible HW 11/5/08 pgs 20-36

"Abigail: I know how you clutched my back behind your house and sweated like a stallion whenever I come near!  Or did I dream that?  It's she put me out, you cannot pretend it were you.  I saw your face when she put me out, and you loved me then and you do now!" (22)

• The relationship between Abigail and Proctor is foggy at best.  The reader is not given a true answer about their relationship, or what their relationship pertains to.  Is it sexual or casual?  From Abigail's statement it seems as if they had a past sexual relationship, but Proctor strongly denies this claim.  This could also be a motive for Abigail drinking the charm to kill Proctor's wife.  She may want Proctor all to herself.

What is the relationship, past and present, between Proctor and Abby?

"Putman: He had no right to sell it.  It stands clear in my grandfather's will that all the land between the river and-

Proctor: Your grandfather had a habit of willing land that never belonged to him, if I may say it plain."

• There seems to be a underlying theme that is continuous throughout the play.  The townspeople all seem to dislike each other for certain reasons.  Putman puts his family up on a pedestal, and looks down upon others.  Proctor seems to be more levelheaded about the situation and says what he feels.  There seems to be a conflict eminent, and it may not be the witch hunt itself.  

How will the tensions between Proctor and Putman play out?  Why is there conflict between the people of Salem?