Putnam's obsession not only leads her to solicit Tituba's services in conjuring her children's spirits, but also results in jealousy toward other mothers who have not lost children. Inherently self-righteous, she believes she has been victimized and devotes all of her energy to discovering the cause of her children's deaths. Even so, seven is an unusually high number of children's deaths within one family, and losing seven children, coupled with the threat to her surviving child, has left Mrs. In this time period, it was not uncommon for children to die at birth or early in childhood for a number of reasons, including poor medical treatment, improper nutrition, and harsh living conditions. Scene 4 reveals old animosities that later drive the action of the play. Putnam states that Goody Nurse's husband did not own the land because it belonged to Putnam's grandfather. Putnam accuses Proctor of stealing wood from his land, but Proctor says he bought the land five months before from Goody Nurse's husband. The men begin discussing lawsuits and land rights. Parris claims that a faction within Salem is determined to get rid of him. Putnam, Proctor, and Giles Corey argue with Parris about his salary and his expectations as the minister of Salem. Proctor criticizes Parris for preaching about money rather than God. She is suspicious because Rebecca has not lost any of her children. Putnam declares that witchcraft is to blame for the loss of his seven infant children, and Mrs. Rebecca tells Putnam and the others that Betty and Ruth's condition will pass, and she warns Parris that looking to witchcraft would be a dangerous explanation of the girls' behavior. Putnam asks Rebecca to visit Ruth and attempt to wake her. Putnam interprets Betty's behavior as a sign of witchcraft because "she cannot bear to hear the Lord's name!" Rebecca Nurse instructs everyone to be quiet and then stands by Betty until she calms down. Parishioners downstairs have been singing a hymn. Betty begins screaming and covering her ears.
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