The Salem villagers' willingness to believe the girls' accusations shows how eager some of them are to find a scapegoat for their problems. For example, Mrs. Putnam is desperate to find a reason for the deaths of seven of her eight children; all seven died within a day of their births despite their appearance of health. She believes that it cannot be the work of God, as she does not feel she deserves such a punishment, and so she assumes...
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