Act 1 is a large act... let's look at each character
individually:
ABIGAIL WILLIAMS: Miller suggests that
Abigail is cunning, sneaky, manipulative and selfish throughout his stage directions of
her relationships with the other girls, as well as her relationship with John Proctor.
He does this through directions like "grasping his hand before he can release her" and
"now beginning to anger - she can't believe it". One of my favorite directions is
"winningly she comes a little closer, with a confidential, wicked air." We see this
parallel her dialogue with John Proctor as she confidently suggests they get back
together.
ANN PUTNAM: Miller paints Ann much more directly
through her own words as a woman in support of her husband and as one who is very
hopeful that there is indeed witchcraft in the Parris household. However, one striking
stage direction has her speaking "with a growing edge of sarcasm". Sarcasm is not
becoming of a good Christian Puritan woman. However, Mrs. Putnam's words mock Rebecca
Nurse's great bounty of children while insisting that her own failure to multiply weighs
mightily on her.
MERCY LEWIS: Upon entry, Mercy is
described in stage directions as "the Putnams' servant, a fat, sly, merciless girl of
eighteen." Her image immediately portrays itself as when the girls are alone she is
ready to beat the pretend out of Betty.
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