How are bettys and ruths illnesses similar and different in The Crucible by Arthur Miller?
In "The Crucible," both Betty Parris and Ruth Putnam exhibit mysterious illnesses that reflect the broader themes of hysteria and manipulation in Salem. Their conditions are similar in that both girls fall into a trance-like state, prompting suspicions of witchcraft and leading to mass panic in the community. However, they differ in their motivations; Betty's illness stems from fear of punishment for dancing in the woods, while Ruth's condition is tied to the loss of her siblings and her parents' desire for vengeance against those they blame for their deaths. This distinction highlights the different ways personal trauma and societal pressures manifest in the characters.