Which character was convicted of witchcraft but did not hang due to pregnancy?

Which character was convicted of witchcraft but did not hang due to pregnancy?

• A. Martha Corey
• B. Elizabeth Proctor
• C. Abigail Williams
• D. Rebecca Nurse

Answer: (B)

Elizabeth Proctor is the correct answer because she was pregnant during the events of the trials and was granted a temporary reprieve from execution. In the context of "The Crucible," Elizabeth's pregnancy is a significant plot point, highlighting her vulnerability and the dire consequences of the witch trials on innocent lives. This also reflects the societal norms of the time, where the life of an unborn child could influence legal outcomes. Martha Corey, Abigail Williams, and Rebecca Nurse were all accused and faced serious consequences as well, but their situations did not involve the factor of pregnancy leading to a stay of execution. Martha Corey was convicted and executed, Abigail Williams fled and was not prosecuted, and Rebecca Nurse was sentenced to hang despite her age and reputation, showing the indiscriminate nature of the trials and the hysteria surrounding witchcraft accusations. Elizabeth's unique position is central to her character's development and the decisions made by John Proctor later in the play.

Elizabeth Proctor is the correct answer because she was pregnant during the events of the trials and was granted a temporary reprieve from execution. In the context of "The Crucible," Elizabeth's pregnancy is a significant plot point, highlighting her vulnerability and the dire consequences of the witch trials on innocent lives. This also reflects the societal norms of the time, where the life of an unborn child could influence legal outcomes.

Martha Corey, Abigail Williams, and Rebecca Nurse were all accused and faced serious consequences as well, but their situations did not involve the factor of pregnancy leading to a stay of execution. Martha Corey was convicted and executed, Abigail Williams fled and was not prosecuted, and Rebecca Nurse was sentenced to hang despite her age and reputation, showing the indiscriminate nature of the trials and the hysteria surrounding witchcraft accusations. Elizabeth's unique position is central to her character's development and the decisions made by John Proctor later in the play.