In the crucible act 4

Why might Mary be scared here?

1. She's afraid of what might happen to her if she goes against Abigail

2. She's gone mute

3. She doesn't know where she is

1 answer

In Act 4 of "The Crucible," Mary Warren is indeed in a precarious and fearful situation. Among the options you've provided, the first one stands out as the most relevant to her fear:

  1. She's afraid of what might happen to her if she goes against Abigail: Mary is fully aware of the power and influence Abigail has over the other girls and the court. She fears retribution from Abigail, who is known to be vindictive and manipulative. This fear is compounded by the fact that Abigail has already proven she can incite hysteria and turn the community against anyone who opposes her.

The other options, while they might reflect some level of disorientation or confusion, are not as significant in the context of her fear in this act. Mary is not mute in this scene, and while she might feel overwhelmed or lost, her primary concern is the danger posed by Abigail and the other girls who are involved in the witch trials.