Hour of the Witch begins by suggesting that in Boston in 1662, the Devil was always present and that God was always watching. The Prologue sets the scene both physically and spiritually for the rest of the novel. The narrator examines the logic of faith in the Americas to justify death, goodness, and original sin—as well as marital abuse. Mary Deerfield, survivor of this abuse, wonders whether her own desire is as condemnable as the violence to which she is subjected. Though she knows she does not deserve to be beaten, she does wonder whether she is a soul worthy of God’s love.

Mary thinks about the way Thomas holds his arm before he strikes her as the same way a man would use a scythe. Thomas comes home drunk, beats Mary, and returns to drinking before apologizing the next day. Thomas also always strikes her in the privacy of their home, ensuring there are never any witnesses.

Mary and Catherine Stileman, a servant girl, prepare breakfast while Mary wonders what kind of mood Thomas will be in. She can usually detect this by the sounds he makes when he wakes up and wonders whether Catherine notices too, but Thomas never abuses Mary in front of Catherine.