Normally, she is the one told what to do and told to obey; now, however, she has the power of life and death over others. A crucible is used to melt down metals and separate out the base metals - or in the case of those questioned about witchcraft, it separates out lies and hypocrisy. "I have this morning signed away the soul of Rebecca Nurse, Your Honor. In telling people they must confess to their crimes or be hanged, the officials show that they have already decided the person is guilty no matter what evidence is provided in their defense. As he says,How may I live without my name? Why does Mary Warren warn John about testifying against Abigail? I have your back with this complete guide to The Crucible quotes. A+ Student Essay: The Role of Sex & Sexual Repression in the Play, Arthur Miller and The Crucible Background. Beware of it!" He uses his reputation to assert his authority; he will not be told what to do. The girls are essentially given permission by authority figures to continue their act because they are made to feel special and important for their participation. "No, old man, you have not hurt these people if they are of good conscience. Dont have an account? What is Reverend Parriss biggest concern? (Act 4, p. 119). This act also sees the irony of Hale discussing the powers of the dark that are attacking Salem (pg. In Act 3, Hale continues to make ironic statements about the existence of concrete proof for the accusations of witchcraft. Tituba is forced to accept her role as a pawn for those with greater authority and a stepping stone for Abigails ascent to power. (Act 3, p. 103). Why does John decide to ruin his reputation in Act 3 by confessing to the affair? God forbid I take it from him! Got an essay to write on 'The Crucible', but aren't too sure about which quotes you should be analysing?. 119). No one even considers Mary's statement about sticking the needle in herself. The town slips further and further into chaos and paranoia until it reaches a point of total devastation. (Proctor, Act 3, p. 111). SAT is a registered trademark of the College Entrance Examination BoardTM. The definition of power-hungry is basically the gist of Reverend Parris's character. Though Rebecca Nurse's involvement has already been corroborated by other confessors, Danforth demands to hear it from John to confirm that John is fully committed to renouncing his supposed ties to Satan. They're also revealed though events in the plot. builds quickly as accusations of witchcraft proliferate throughout Salem. The only power they have left is in refusing to confess and preserving their integrity. Four judges and the King's deputy sat to dinner with us but an hour ago. (Cheever pg. In a way,John welcomes the loss of his reputation because he feels so guilty about the disconnect between howhe is perceived by others and the sins he has committed. One path to higher standing and greater control would be in becoming John Proctors wife. "Now Hell and Heaven grapple on our backs, and all our old pretense is ripped awaymake your peace!Peace. I do wonder on it, when such a steady-minded minister as you will suspicion such a woman that never lied, and cannot, and the world knows she cannot! Rebecca Nurse, a woman whose character was previously thought to be unimpeachable, is accused and arrested. To Danforth, anything that doesnt confirm that he was right all along is a lie. The Crucible Power Analysis 705 Words | 3 Pages. overflows, and we see the roots of what becomes her targeted, destructive Goody Proctor is a gossiping liar!" Have I not? They so fear the devilish consequences of challenging the accusers that theyre willing to take them at their word and ignore any defenses the accused have to offer. No one will listen to Tituba until she agrees to confirm the version of events that the people in traditional positions of authority have already decided is true, a pattern which continues throughout the play. The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points, How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer, Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests. Parris cares more about himself than others, even his own blood. Ann Putnam jumps at any opportunity to blame supernatural forces for the deaths of her children. He is openly weeping. This new power is exciting and very dangerous because it encourages the girls to make additional accusations in order to preserve their value in the eyes of the court. The people in charge are so eager to hold onto their power that if anyone disagrees with them in the way the trials are conducted, it is taken as a personal affront and challenge to their authority. Abigails many deceptions are sometimes laughably ironic as she chastises others for lying even as she is spinning falsehoods. Explore a character analysis of John Proctor, the plot summary, and important quotes. First, there is her jealousy of Elizabeth Proctor and her fantasy that if she could only dispose of Elizabeth, John would be hers. Danforth also acts out of concern for his reputations here. As John gives his confession, Danforth says to Rebecca Nurse Now, woman, you surely see it profit nothin to keep this conspiracy any further. Most Important Quotes From The Crucible, Analyzed, Get Free Guides to Boost Your SAT/ACT Score, Salem Massachusetts - Burying Point Cemetery, Find out more about PrepScholar Admissions now, We profile Aleister Crowley and analyze some of his key quotes in this article, "ABIGAIL: I never sold myself! Quotation Who said it to whom Act Thematic and Character Analysis "It is a mouse no more. She is able to use threats of physical violence to cow other girls into doing her bidding, but that's about as far as her influence extends. (Act 1, p. 41). Is there any character besides John Proctor that represents the voice of common sense amidst the madness? Let you look sometimes for the goodness in me, and judge me not." ~Arthur Miller, The Crucible, John Proctor, Page 51 "Why do you never wonder if Parris be innocent, or Abigail? Abigail, the one character who breaks from this mold slightly, is portrayed extremely unsympathetically despite the fact that the power dynamic between her and John makes him far more culpable in their illicit relationship. Ask below and we'll reply! Parris Act 1, Paranoia, jealousy, power, reputation, repression, "You cannot command Mr Parris, We vote by name in this society, not by acreage." John Hale. ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score, How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League, Is the ACT easier than the SAT? Choose a single character and discuss how this person embodies one of the themes. Now we cannot hope the witch will accuse herself; granted? Mary Warren feels entitled to, asks for, and (to some extent) receives respect because she is now in a greater position of power. Hale tries to combat his guilt by persuading the prisoners to confess, refusing to accept that the damage has already been done. And died., The Devil is precise; the marks of his presence are definite as stone, A fire, a fire is burning! Abigail also shows concern for her reputation. 50). "In an ordinary crime, how does one defend the accused? Abigail, in particular, has quickly risen from a nobody to one of the most influential people in Salem. romp through Salem. (Hale, Act 2, p. 68). She has the power to utterly destroy peoples lives with a single accusation because she is seen as a victim and a savior. Well, it's not. How does Reverend Hale make Tituba feel important? The price he has to pay in reputation to save his own life is ultimately too high. In Act 3, Abigails power in the courthouse is on display. He claims that they must not jump to conclusions based on superstition in their investigation of Bettys affliction. He walks as though toward a great horror, facing the open sky. You can also read my full summary of The Crucible here for a review of exactly what happens in the plot in each act. "PROCTOR, with a cry of his whole soul: Because it is my name! None other. How does John Proctor know that the witchcraft isnt real? In this act, she yells Dont lie! at Tituba immediately before she tells some of the most damning lies of the play accusing Tituba of witchcraft (She comes to me while I sleep; shes always making me dream corruptions! pg. In this act, she yells Dont lie! at Tituba immediately before she tells some of the most damning lies of the play accusing Tituba of witchcraft (. The madness begins in earnest with Abigails claim that Tituba and Ruth were conjuring spirits in the woods. 71). on 50-99 accounts. This lie essentially condemns both of them. Concern for reputation is a theme that looms large over most of the events in The Crucible. . Then, on the other end of the spectrum, we have Rebecca Nurse. Wed love to have you back! One of the main elements that eventually build up to the main plot in the play is power. TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. Hereferences the many sentencing decisions he has already made in the trials of the accused. Later in Act 4, Danforth becomes angry at the implication that Johns confession may not be the truth. I hear the boot of Lucifer, I see his filthy face! SparkNotes PLUS Parris is extremely dismayed by this revelation because of the damage it will do to his reputation. The Crucible Danforth's Innocence Quotes. Mary Warren Quotes. what pretense Salem was, I never knew the lying lessons. Act 2 Characters: Proctor (Speaker), Herrick, Elizabeth, Hale (Abigail, Act 1 p. 11), "A man will not cast away his good name. Download it for free now: hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(360031, '688715d6-bf92-47d7-8526-4c53d1f5fe7d', {"useNewLoader":"true","region":"na1"}); hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(360031, '03a85984-6dfd-4a19-93c8-5f46091f5e2b', {"useNewLoader":"true","region":"na1"}); Samantha is a blog content writer for PrepScholar. A Comprehensive Guide. Read on for an overview of what a theme is, a list of important themes in The Crucible with specific act-by-act details, and a summary of how to use this information in your essays and other assignments. No one thinks a teenage orphan girl is capable of such extensive deception (or delusion), so she is consistently trusted. I'll go over the most important quotes from The Crucible, explaining both their literal meaning and why they're important. Throughout the play, there is evidence that many characters, power rises while it falls for others . I will not have it said my name is soiled! John has already confessed that the affair was the reason for Abigails dismissal. - Rev. They so fear the devilish consequences of challenging the accusers that theyre willing to take them at their word and ignore any defenses the accused have to offer. Elizabeth's side of the story is disregarded because Abigails testimony is far more dramatic. (Act 3, p. 88), "Oh, Mary, this is a black art to change your shape. Get professional help from PrepScholar. Danforth insists that John must know more about the Devil's dealings than he has revealed. Proctors good reputation is almost a burden for him at this point because he knows that he doesnt deserve it. Reverend Parris has a false notion of reputation. hbspt.cta.load(360031, '4efd5fbd-40d7-4b12-8674-6c4f312edd05', {}); Have any questions about this article or other topics? Insert commas where necessary. The way to have power is to capture it. The irony in Danforth's statement is that it wasn't "just" to hang any of the accused witches in the first place, and so continuing to hang people just because it's already been done before is a terrible idea. Goody Good, an old beggar woman, is one of the first to be named a witch. For Proctor, we quickly realize, In the Arthur Miller play, The Crucible, one person abused their power; while the other person was elevated . Why didnt more people sign false confessions that they were witches to save their lives? Our blog has complete analyses and discussion of all The Crucible themes as well as of McCarthyism in The Crucible. (Hale, Act 1, p. 35). He claims that they must not jump to conclusions based on superstition in their investigation of Bettys affliction. He manages to make himself confess and signs the confession, but when the court officials try to take the confession away to show to the whole town, that is the sticking point. How do outside forces contribute to the character's flaws and eventual downfall?". (Mary Warren, Act 2, p. 57). Abigails presence is always rife with irony in. And Mary is not the only one to benefit from the added respect accorded to the afflicted girls, as the next quote demonstrates. Deception is a major driving force inThe Crucible. Abigail, on the other hand, has no such sense of closure, as this (Abigail Williams, Act 1, p. 19). No, I cannot, I cannot stop my mouth; it's God's work I do." ..it may well be God damns a liar less than he that throws his life away for pride. Again, the "proof so immaculate" that Hale speaks of is the word of one person against the word of another. Because I cannot have another in my life! We've got 50 quotes and 4 themes that will help you spark some great ideas. Of course, the part he leaves out in his discussion is whether or not the victims are trustworthy just because "they do testify" doesn't mean that they're testifying truthfully but this is a blind spot for Danforth. We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. This confess or die mindset is one of the central ironies of the play. (After all, you as the historian are alive on earth. I think I have made my point. But witchcraft is ipso facto, on its face and by its nature, an invisible crime, is it not? How is Parris fate in act 4 ironic when considering his role in the events of the play? Will you confess yourself with him? (pg. No one considers that the accusers are lying, partially because theyre seen as innocent children and partially because many witches confess to avoid the death penalty. 41). Let either of you breathe a word, or the edge of a word, about the other things, and I will come to you in the black of some terrible night and I will bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder you. Write a feature article summing up the main events of the historical disaster and offering some possible reasons for the birds' sudden frenzy. In The Crucible, the reputation of the church, the government, and the individual is called into question. Why is Rebecca Nurse accused of witchcraft? And it is my face, and yours, Danforth! Proctor, gently pressing her from him, with great sympathy but firmly: Child. For the next 7 days, you'll have access to awesome PLUS stuff like AP English test prep, No Fear Shakespeare translations and audio, a note-taking tool, personalized dashboard, & much more! When Abigail accuses Elizabeth, a respected farmers wife, it shows that she is willing to take big risks to remove Elizabeth from the picture. In this act, we learn more details about the accused that paint a clearer picture of the influence of reputation and social standing on the patterns of accusations. 118). Abigails presence is always rife with irony in The Crucible, as she constantly chastises others for sins she herself has committed. The petition he presents to Danforth is used as a weapon against the signers rather than a proof of the innocence of Elizabeth, Martha, and Rebecca. I will not have it said my name is soiled! The seeds are planted in Act 1, when Abigail is questioned about her activities in the woods and ends up accusing Tituba of witchcraft to avoid punishment. If Tituba was permitted to explain what really happened, the ensuing tragedy might have been prevented. Stephen Hendry criticised Mark Selby and Mark Allen for casting a 'dark cloud' over the Crucible after the second session of their World Championship semi-final was halted three frames earlier . The other two main female characters, Elizabeth and Mary Warren, are somewhat bland. "We burn a hot fire here; it melts down all concealment." Hales involvement is taken to mean that there must be a supernatural element to Bettys illness. Each new false confession is thrown onto the pile of evidence of a grand Satanic plot, and as the pile grows larger, the hysteria surrounding it is fed generously. I have given you my soul; leave me my name!, I speak my own sins; I cannot judge another. The Devil is precise; the marks of his presence are definite as stone, and I must tell you all that I shall not proceed unless you are prepared to believe me if I should find no bruise of Hell upon her." When Abigail accuses Elizabeth, a respected farmers wife, it shows that she is willing to take big risks to remove Elizabeth from the picture. This makes him particularly averse to accepting that he's been fooled by a teenage girl. The village is certainly under attack, but not necessarily in the way Hale thinks it is. How does Parris pride prevent him from doing anything to stop the progression of events in the play? These two institutions fuse together in The Crucible to actively encourage accusers and discourage rational explanations of events. Proctor is the voice of common sense here, as a counterpoint to Hale's "don't question the process" stance. 520 Words3 Pages. Essay questions that ask about themes in this straightforward way can be tricky because there's a temptation to speak in vague terms about the theme's significance. Get the latest articles and test prep tips! 20% God will not let you clean your hands of this!, If she is innocent! I'll tell you what's walking Salem - vengeance is walking Salem. The court refuses to challenge anyone who claims to have been afflicted. Thomas Putnam tells him to Wait for no one to charge you - declare it yourself.Parris must rush to be the first accuser so he can place himself beyond reproach. Reverend Hale (speaker), Elizabeth Proctor. (Danforth, Act 3, p. 83). Curious about more recent (20th-century) occult activity in the U.S.? I'm a good girl! Once there have been enough convictions, the reputations of the judges also become factors. (Act 3, p. 100). Parris Act 1, Power, paranoia, hysteria, repression, self righteous society, "It's a bitter woman, a lying, cold, sniveling woman" Abigail about Elizabeth Act 1, "My name is goodI will not have it said my name is soiled" Abigail to Rev. Elizabeth is defined by her relationship to John, and Mary is pushed around by other characters (mostly men) throughout the play. This causes problems down the line as Parris allows his paranoia about losing his position to translate into enthusiasm for the witch hunt. If you hope to write an awesome essay onThe Crucible, you should have extensive knowledge of its themes. Though Rebecca Nurse's involvement has already been corroborated by other confessors, Danforth demands to hear it from John to confirm that John is fully committed to renouncing his supposed ties to Satan.