Respond to Crucible (Acts 1 and 2)

   It has been years since I last read (probably the same for everyone else) The Crucible, but I still find it interesting to read. The Crucible starts with a girl name Betty lying on the bed unconscious for unknown reason. As the story goes on, it can be seen that some other girls in the town also seem to have the same problem. Eager for an answer to the uncertainty, the town people starting to spread words of witchcraft. When reverend Parris calls in reverend Hale to find evidence of witchcraft, Abigail accuses Tituba for luring her into witchcraft. Tituba, in order to prevent her own punishment, admits her practice and named a few other innocent town folks for the same practice. Soon then , Betty awakes, along with Abigail, join to give name of others.
   Soon after, the idea of witchcraft is deeply entangled in Salem. As the accusation spread, all accused are brought to the court and promised to be hanged unless confessed. Thus, many did confessed for something they have never done. As more confessed, the judge and the town folks are more assure that witchcraft exists. Some other town folks such as the Putnams, use the agitation to accuse their enemies in their own favor. Hatred between the people now becomes clear.
   It is weird how people in the court do not hanged all known witches but only those who will not confess to witchcraft. Is confession a sign of conversion back from witches to pure christian? If a witch, pressed by authority, can release her soul to attack the girls in the court, as the girls said to be, wouldn't they also be able to do so even in jail? I suppose the main reason for all these accusation and acceptance of the punishment put on witches are due to their aversion of uncertainty. They need a clear target for all the bad things happening around them.
  One more interesting thing also came into my mind. Remember in the DuBois's reading, he mentioned a slave falsely accused his master when he is promised freedom during the torture (basanos). This idea also apply to the accused women in The Crucible. When they are promised to be free of death, they confessed the practice of witchcraft. Arthur Miller did a good job illustrating the suspicion and selfishness of the human beings.