Journal 1

The days in Salem seem to grow longer and longer. This painfully mundane town is taking its toll. Boredom acts like a disease, infecting all the young ones of the town. Dullness has made me extremely easily tempted. One of the greatest indulgences the girls and I humor is listening and being thoroughly entertained by Tituba’s magical acts and tails that she describes in both an accented English and a foreign tongue. Without a doubt, she is the most interesting slave I have ever encountered. Mercy, Betty, Marry, and I often watch in awe and shock as Tituba tells her stories and shows us voodoo upon my request. The greatest thrill of all is knowing such witchcraft is very dangerous and can even result in a hanging. The excitement of breaking the stringent rules of our Puritan society is one that brings much joy to me. On one occasion, Tituba guided us to the woods and conducted a strange ceremony. I voluntarily drank blood as I was promised great benefits. We danced and danced with smiles on our faces. Our laughter could not be contained! Our hair was down and our shoes were off. It was a wondrous feeling to be free from the social pressures of Puritan society. Nonetheless, we had to be vigilant because being caught dancing in the woods would surely result in severe punishment. Admittedly, this voodoo is not my only flaw. I miss John Proctor more and more everyday. Though our affair was short, he has found a special place in my heart. It pains me to see him so blatantly unhappy with his current wife.  Unquestionably, he would be happier with me, but such a relationship would surely be deemed unacceptable with his wife, Elizabeth, in the way. Being the niece of Reverend Parris, I am no stranger to social pressures and exorbitant expectations. Much of my time was devoted to pretending to be a perfect Puritan girl, being free from temptation, and putting the church above all else. I was interesting to see how some blindly followed the church while some cared little for it. Of course, being the niece of the new reverend, I had little choice in whether or not I was going to church. As a growing discontent with the current church matters seems to pile up against Parris, I only hope no one learns of the secret between Tituba, the girls, and I.