Significance of Witchcraft

Witchcraft is the central motif in the drama. When Abigail and several other young girls are discovered dancing naked in the woods with the slave Tituba, accusations of witchcraft arise as the girls try to escape persecution themselves. Soon, a full-fledged frenzy explodes in the town, with neighbors accusing one another of witchcraft to avenge past squabbles, obtain land, and attain power.