The overture of the Crucible sets up the story and explains the backgrounds of some of the major characters, including Parris. It is revealed that even though Parris is a Reverend, he has enemies that weren't good to have during that time. Miller reveals the time period in the overture to be the time of the Salem Witch Trials. He explains how it isn't good to have enemies, because they would take advantage of the time, have revenge on somebody, and accuse them of witchcraft. It is also revealed that punishment for witchcraft would result in death by hanging. Miller shows that Massachusetts had a big value in religion by saying the towns stuck together to cast away evil and darkness out of their community. The result of this was the witch trials which were believed to be the cause of the devil coming int their community.
In a way, Miller leads into the plot by explaining the forest and the evils that were believed to be in there. He says that people do not go into the dark forest because it “was the Devil's last preserve”(5). This segues into the plot when Abigail, Mary, and Mercy go into the woods and dance. Miller explains the paradox of pity in the play and explains that it is hard to keep order in a community, but also keep freedom. This ultimately means that if accused are innocent even if the public believes them to be guilty, they aren't to be let go, in order to keep peace and order. After explaining more about how the witch trials were used for neighbors to get revenge on neighbors, Miller leads into the opening scene where Betty is shown to be affected by witchcraft.
In a way, Miller leads into the plot by explaining the forest and the evils that were believed to be in there. He says that people do not go into the dark forest because it “was the Devil's last preserve”(5). This segues into the plot when Abigail, Mary, and Mercy go into the woods and dance. Miller explains the paradox of pity in the play and explains that it is hard to keep order in a community, but also keep freedom. This ultimately means that if accused are innocent even if the public believes them to be guilty, they aren't to be let go, in order to keep peace and order. After explaining more about how the witch trials were used for neighbors to get revenge on neighbors, Miller leads into the opening scene where Betty is shown to be affected by witchcraft.