The Crucible

I am somewhat ashamed to admit that I have not read The Crucible until now. I always seemed to end up in the wrong English class, and while my friends were discussing this play I can remember thinking it sounded interesting. Instead of doing the sensible thing and actually reading the play that everyone was talking about, I put it off. Now I am very glad to be given the opportunity to finally check the play out.
The main theme that I noticed throughout the first part of the play is the fear of public perception. Everyone seems to be working around what they actually want or think in order to bend to the will of the community. Many of the characters so far lead very secretive lives, and spend a great deal of time convincing anyone who knows about them to keep their mouths shut. The townspeople are so conscious of what they should not be doing, but they are all still not about to stop doing those things. I was especially surprised by the apparent adultery being committed, and how bold they were for speaking about it when people could have been within earshot. The society seems to preach so much but no individual appears to be able to actually follow the rules. This kind of repressed emotional society must have been a breeding ground for gossip and accusations, which I assume is going to have a much greater role soon in the play.
I am a little confused about what those girls were doing in the woods. I want to know why they were all seemingly attempting to conjure spirits. I am also confused about the way Betty has been acting. I know that she is ill, and it seems to be a legitimate illness. Is it due to the fragile constitution of the girl? This is doubtful because Ruth has taken ill as well. I am not sure what direction the story is going to take (other than obviously the accusations about witchcraft that will come), which is why I find this play to be very easy and interesting to read.