Want to write the perfect college application essay? 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. The Reverend is the one preaching God and against witchcraft. 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. 73), meaning the girls are testing out the extent of the chaos they can create with their newfound power. By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy. If her name is "soiled," Abigail could face harsh consequences in the Salem theocracy where women are already low on the totem pole if it's discovered that she, an unmarried orphan woman, slept with a married man, she would face huge consequences (although what these consequences would be aren't specified in the play). what pretense Salem was, I never knew the lying lessons. . John Hale. Contact us I pay you, sir, this argument, let lawyers present to you." Now that you've read about the most important themes in The Crucible, check out ourlist of every single character in the play, including brief analyses of their relationships and motivations. The Crucible Quotes - eNotes.com 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. Nowhere is there any consideration of ulterior motives. Significant Quotations Acts 2-3 . The Crucible: Important Quotes Explained | SparkNotes You'll be billed after your free trial ends. Essay On Power In The Crucible. (Danforth, Act 3, p. 83). How may I live without my name? Look no further! I'll give a short summary of how each plays a role in the events of The Crucible. Hale demonstrates perfectly the mindset of the characters affected by the hysteria and fear. This leads to Marys hysterical accusation of Proctor after she finds herself targeted by the other girls and about to be consumed by the hysteria herself if she doesnt contribute to it. How is the theme of power shown in the crucible? They're also revealed though events in the plot. 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. Other essay questions may not ask you directly about the themes listed in this article, but that doesn't mean that the themes are irrelevant to your writing. "I only hope you'll not be so sarcastical no more. The attitudes towards women in the 1950s, when the play was written, are evident in the roles they're given. 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 (. ..it may well be God damns a liar less than he that throws his life away for pride. The way to have power is to capture it. Goody Proctor is a gossiping liar!" Parris asks Danforth to postpone Proctor and Rebecca's executions in Act IV after Abigail and Mercy run away, which casts doubt on the entire trial. Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Salem Massachusetts - Burying Point Cemetery/Used under CC BY 2.0/Resized from original. In her conversation with John, Abigail claims that he helped her realize all the lies she was told by two-faced people in Salem who only publicly adhere to the conventions of respectable society (pg. Shes not a traditionally accepted target like the others (except in her susceptibility as a woman to the misogyny that runs rampant in the play). The authorities ignore any inconvenient logical objections to the proceedings because they, too, are swept up in the madness. The depths of the hysteria that has gripped Salem are revealed in Act 3 when John finally confronts the court. "Do you know who I am, Mr. View ZgZx-the-crucible-quotes.docx from ENGL 122 at San Jose State University. The Salem witch trials empowered several characters in the play who were previously marginalized in Salem society. Now we cannot hope the witch will accuse herself; granted? This fact could destroy his credibility, so he is biased towards continuing to trust Abigail. If you can show that you understand the themes of a work of literature, you've clearly mastered the material on a deeper level. Because I cannot have another in my life! He refers to Johns refusal to confess as a calamity, looking past his own involvement in the larger calamity of the conviction that led John to this point. 60 The Crucible Quotes With Page Numbers | Ageless Investing 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"}); Laura graduated magna cum laude from Wellesley College with a BA in Music and Psychology, and earned a Master's degree in Composition from the Longy School of Music of Bard College. At the end this act, John Proctor delivers a short monologue anticipating the imminent loss of the disguises of propriety worn by himself and other members of the Salem community. But second, and perhaps more important, we see in this quotation a fierce loathing of the entire town"I never knew what pretense Salem was, I never knew the lying lessons. 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. Central Idea Essay: Who Is Actually on Trial in the Play? Abigail also shows concern for her reputation. How does reputation influence who is first accused of witchcraft? But these themes aren't always easy to explain or dissect in the context of the play, and they can be even harder to develop into essays. Free trial is available to new customers only. 41). The Crucible Power Quotes - 721 Words | Bartleby With that in mind, here are some key quotes from The Crucible that demonstrate irony of some kind. I see now your spirit twists around the single error of my life, and I will never tear it free!" This quote shows how even Giles Corey, one of the more level-headed characters in The Crucible, got caught up in the hysteria of the witch trials and got his wife accused of being a witch. "ABIGAIL: Don't lie! This lie essentially condemns both of them. The prisoners have lost all faith in earthly authority figures and look towards the judgment of God. By this point in the play, Abigail has gotten powerful enough that she can threaten the Deputy Governor of the entire province without negative consequences. 10. Hale doesnt realize that his own fears and suspicions are the real powers of the dark. John attempts to crush his guilt instead of facing it, which only ends up making it an even more destructive factor in his life. How is the theme of power shown in the crucible? I think I have made my point. This quote shows that even though John Proctor has signed the confession, Danforth won't give him his name, and will refuse for him to take his innocence. Ask below and we'll reply! (Proctor, Act 4, p. 133). 130). 133). Here's another example of a potential essay question for The Crucible that's less explicit in its request for you to discuss themes of the play: "Most of the main characters in the play have personal flaws and either contribute to or end up in tragedy. It is an invisible craft, evidence is hard to consider. By the second act, the repercussions of the trials are starting to reverberate out of the courtroom. I'll tell you what's walking Salemvengeance is walking Salem. 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. Goody Proctor is a gossiping liar!" One calls up witnesses to prove his innocence. The power of mass hysteria is further revealed when Mary is unable to faint outside of a charged courtroom environment. Danforth cannot speak. No one thinks a teenage orphan girl is capable of such extensive deception (or delusion), so she is consistently trusted. The judges cannot force her to commit herself to a lie, and her martyrdom severely damages their legitimacy and favor amongst the townspeople. Here are a few discussion questions to consider after you've read my summary of how the theme of reputation motivates characters and plot developments in The Crucible: If you're an old beggar woman who sometimes takes shelter in this creepy shack, you better believe these jerks are gonna turn on you as soon as anyone says the word "witch.". Act 4 Quotes. 129). | The desire to preserve and gain power pervadesThe Crucible as the witch trials lead to dramatic changes in which characters hold the greatest control over the course of events. The Crucible's themes have lent the play artistic longevity because they're more or less universal to the human experience across time. We have listed the best ones for you here. In the Puritan theocracy of Massachusetts, a government run by religious authorities, the dominant . 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. First off, what is irony? Miller's portrayal of women in The Crucible is a much-discussed topic. But witchcraft is ipso facto, on its face and by its nature, an invisible crime, is it not? Power in Salem flourished in 1962 at the beginning of the Salem Witch Trials. John Proctor sabotages his own reputation in Act 3 after realizing it's the only way he can discredit Abigail. Anns extreme conclusions are gradually accepted because rational people are too afraid to challenge the consensus and risk bringing accusations upon themselves. As she begs him to come back to her, her anger Get professional help from PrepScholar. This vicious cycle continues to claim the lives of more and more people as the play progresses. I'm a good girl! Want to find out more about the characters who say these things? Try your hand at explaining why each one is ironic and analyzing the difference between what the character mean when she said the quote and the hidden meaning. I have broke charity with the woman, I have broke charity with her. He is weak and vulnerable after Abigail's theft of his life's savings, and hes even facing death threats from the townspeople as a result of John and Rebecca's imminent executions. (Elizabeth, Act 4, p. 134). 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! Proctor cannot bear to have his reputation be smeared with this confession of witchcraft, because if his reputation is damaged then he no longer can think well of himself. I will not have it said my name is soiled! (Mrs. Putnam, Act 1, p. 26). One of the main elements that eventually build up to the main plot in the play is power. Be sure to tell why the murderous birds didn't succeed in wiping out the world. The Crucible: Study Guide | SparkNotes He chooses to die instead of providing a false confession because he doesnt think life will be worth living after he is so disgraced. How does the central tragic character change throughout the play, and how does this relate to the play's title? The Crucible | 50 of the Most Important Quotes You Should Know SparkNotes PLUS It's possible that Danforth cannot fathom that women or children would lie to him (a judge!) This is a decision with dire consequences in a town where reputation is so important, a fact that contributes to the misunderstanding that follows. 705 Words3 Pages. 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. This is ironic becausesearching for "the Devil's marks" as the potential cause of an ailment is inherently superstitious. He says, I would to God it were not so, Excellency, but these people have great weight yet in the town (pg. 123). What motivates their attitudes and responses toward the witch trials? As mentioned in the overview, religion holds significant power over the people of Salem. "I have given you my soul; leave my name" (Miller 143). (Abigail, Act 3, p.107), "PROCTOR: I falter nothing, but I may wonder if my story will be credited in such a court. In the final events of Act 4, John Proctor has a tough choice to make between losing his dignity and losing his life. However, this runs up against Danforths desire to preserve his reputation as a strong judge. Abigail is concerned about her reputation and her "name;" this is no doubt what motivates her, at least initially, to put the blame for the dancing in the woods on Tituba. Abigail, on the other hand, faces an uphill battle towards more power over her situation. Will you confess yourself with him? (pg. to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. The faces that people present to the public are designed to garner respect in the community, but the witch trials have thrown this system into disarray. Get Free Guides to Boost Your SAT/ACT Score, list of every single character in the play, details on the history and thematic parallels behind this connection. I will not have it said my name is soiled! She is enraged when Parris questions her suspicious dismissal from the Proctor household. It is as impossible for most men to conceive of a morality without sin as of an earth without 'sky'. What is Reverend Parriss biggest concern? 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. (Act 1, p. 41). Danforth has extensive pride in his intelligence and perceptiveness. This act also sees the irony of Hale discussing the powers of the dark that are attacking Salem (pg. (Abigail Williams, Act 1, p. 19). Danforth is convinced that there is a moving plot to topple Christ in the country! and anyone who doubts the decisions of the court is potentially involved. Even with prompts that ask you to discuss a specific character or plot point, you can find ways to connect your answer to major themes. I have given you my soul; leave me my name! (pg. because of societal preconceptions; but his stance is also influenced, at least to some extent, by the fear of witchcraft that pervades Puritan society. (Proctor, Act 3, p. 111). Quail not before God's judgment in this, for it may well be God damns a liar less than he that throws his life away for pride." Goody Good, an old beggar woman, is one of the first to be named a witch. for a customized plan. The Crucible Quotes: Justice | SparkNotes AbracaDENIAL! In Act 3, Hale continues to make ironic statements about the existence of concrete proof for the accusations of witchcraft. Why does Mary Warren warn John about testifying against Abigail? By Act 2, there have been notable changes in the power structure in Salem as a result of the ongoing trials. At the end this act, John Proctor delivers a short monologue anticipating the imminent loss of the disguises of propriety worn by himself and other members of the Salem community. "PROCTOR, with a cry of his whole soul: Because it is my name! In high school, she earned a 2400 on the SAT, 5's on all seven of her AP tests, and was named a National Merit Scholar. Even before Abigail makes accusations, rumors of witchcraft have morphed into accepted truths in the minds of the more superstitious members of the community. Hale also makes some unintentionally ironic statements in Act 1 when he begins his investigation. Abigail yelling "don't lie" at another person is highly ironic, not only because Miller introduced her as a liar (she has "an endless capacity for dissembling"), but because Abigail had just told Proctor Betty's illness was nothing to do with witchcraft not 20 page previously. Arthur Miller, The Crucible: A Play in Four Acts 59 likes Like "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. Elizabeth notes that Mary's demeanor is now like that of the daughter of a prince (pg. Giles Corey provided evidence against his wife, Martha (reading book), on accident; but he got kicked out. We are what we always were in Salem, but now the little crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom, and common vengeance writes the law!" 61). Many fungi grow out of the earth; consequently they are often discussed in books about plants. Discount, Discount Code 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. The court's attempts to preserve Puritan morality by arresting and executing accused witches ironically lead to the removal of the most virtuous people from society. 42). Abigail accuses Tituba first because Tituba is the one person below her on the ladder of power, so she makes an easy scapegoat. How may I live without my name? Parris initially insists that there are no unnatural causes for Bettys illness because he fears that he will lose favor with the townspeople if witchcraft is discovered under his roof. There are several ironies in Act 1 that center around Abigail Williams. - Rev. Here are few more quotes that show the concern of Salem residents with reputation and the pride they have in their names. 520 Words3 Pages. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. The irony is that, in the face of Johns rejection, Abigail turns around and creates her own lies soon after that give her increased control over the society she resents. Use quotes to discuss how Abigail, Danforth, and John Proctor use their Danforth explains that witchcraft is an invisible crime and that only the victims are reliable. How is the arrest of Rebecca Nurse a sign that the hysteria in Salem has gotten out of control? . (Cheever pg. Anns extreme conclusions are gradually accepted because rational people are too afraid to challenge the consensus and risk bringing accusations upon themselves. He questions Abigail aggressively because hes worried his enemies will learn the full story of what happened in the woods first and use it to discredit him. SAT is a registered trademark of the College Entrance Examination BoardTM. Sometimes it can end up there. He says, I would to God it were not so, Excellency, but these people have great weight yet in the town (pg. She says, "My name is good in the village! He. Ironically, though she is normally honest to a fault, in this situation Elizabeth decides to lie to preserve Johns reputation, not knowing he has already confessed. Goody Good, an old beggar woman, is one of the first to be named a witch. The Crucible remains a staple of high school English because it is rich in themes that are consistently relevant to human beings regardless of time period. This is a lesson in how fear can twist perceptions of reality even for those who consider themselves reasonable under normal circumstances. 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. By Act 4, many of the power structures that were firmly in place earlier in the play have disintegrated. John P to Rev P and Putnam Act 1, Greed, Abuse of Power, Jealousy, paranoia, reputation, "I like not the smell of this 'authority'" John P to Rebecca and others Act 1, Themes & issues: The Crucible & The Dressmake, trespass to the person: false imprisonment, The Crucible quotes (theme: freedom of speech), Higher Don Paterson poem quotes: The Ferryman, Higher Don Paterson poem quotes: Waking with, The Language of Composition: Reading, Writing, Rhetoric, Lawrence Scanlon, Renee H. Shea, Robin Dissin Aufses, Literature and Composition: Reading, Writing,Thinking, Carol Jago, Lawrence Scanlon, Renee H. Shea, Robin Dissin Aufses. (Hale, Act 1, p. 35). The Crucible . Let us know whats wrong with this preview of, Until an hour before the Devil fell, God thought him beautiful in Heaven., Because it is my name! Ask questions; get answers. The Crucible: Reverend Parris Quotes - Study.com 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! Want 100 or more? Proctor slept with Abigail, which led to her being fired by his wife, which led to her accusing his wife of witchcraft, which led to Proctor being accused of witchcraft and ultimately hanged for it. "I came into this village like a bridegroom to his beloved, bearing gifts of high religion; the very crowns of holy law I brought, and what I touched with my bright confidence, it died; and where I turned the eye of my great faith, blood flowed up. Therefore, we must rely upon her victimsand they do testify, the children certainly do testify. "ABIGAIL, in a temper: My name is good in the village! She is clearly outspoken and dominant, but her initial position in society is one of very little influence and authority. He believes there is a group of people in town determined to remove him from this position, and. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? hbspt.cta.load(360031, '4efd5fbd-40d7-4b12-8674-6c4f312edd05', {}); Have any questions about this article or other topics? Mary Warrens sense of self-importance has increased as a result of the perceived value of her participation in court. Tituba is pressured to confess and name the names of other witches to avoid execution, which leads to Abigail and Bettys accusations, now validated by a coerced confession. Ask below and we'll reply! One could make the argument that Giles didn't intentionally accuse his wife of witchcraft and that he just wanted to ask the witchcraft expert about his wife's strange behavior, that's all. 118). What makes Danforth so unwilling to consider that the girls could be pretending? Most Important Quotes From The Crucible, Analyzed - PrepScholar The importance placed on reputation helps perpetuate hysteria because it leads to inaction, inflexibility, and, in many cases, active sabotage of the reputations of others for selfish purposes. in an Act I conversation with John Proctor, clueing the audience This quote also fits a little bit under the "Power/Authority" theme the witchcraft trials have turned the world upside down, so that those who used to be powerless ("the little crazy children") are the ones in power ("are jangling the keys of the kingdom"). Got an essay to write on 'The Crucible', but aren't too sure about which quotes you should be analysing?. I beg you, sir, I beg you - see her what she isShe thinks to dance with me on my wife's grave! Abigail, in particular, has quickly risen from a nobody to one of the most influential people in Salem. Why is Rebecca Nurse accused of witchcraft? To Danforth, anything that doesnt confirm that he was right all along is a lie. These are themes that could be considered subsets of the topics detailed in the previous sections, but there's also room to discuss them as topics in their own right. Mary Warren Quotes. Once there have been enough convictions, the reputations of the judges also become factors. Mr. Nurse is now trying to prove the girls as frauds. The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points, How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer. Below are a few Crucible quotes that relate to this theme. The prisoners have lost all faith in earthly authority figures and look towards the judgment of God. This includes not only accusatory lies about the involvement of others in witchcraft but also the lies that people consistently tell about their own virtuousness and purity in such a repressive society. He is completely oblivious to the fact that the victims might be lying. These connections will bolster your responses by positioning them in relation to the most important concepts discussed throughout the play. This is a decision with dire consequences in a town where reputation is so important, a fact that contributes to the misunderstanding that follows. Reverend Parris in The Crucible | Character Traits & Quotes - Video "In an ordinary crime, how does one defend the accused? There is a culture of keeping up appearances already in place, which makes it natural for people to lie about witnessing their neighbors partaking in Satanic rituals when the opportunity arises (especially if it means insulating themselves from similar accusations and even achieving personal gain). "I never had no wife that be so taken with books, and I thought to find the cause of it, d'y'see, but it were no witch I blamed her for. 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. The Crucible Essential Quotes by Theme: Reputation - eNotes.com (Hale, Act 2, p. 68). It is mistaken law that leads you to sacrifice. But you must understand, sir, that a person is either with this court or he must be counted against it, there be no road between. romp through Salem. The town, already primed with rumors of black magic, is quickly willing to accept that the first few women who are accused are involved in black magic because theyre beggars and slaves. Ironically, he is the first to demand a confession from Tituba based on Abigail's dramatic but false testimony. Once the accusations begin, Parris initiates an ironic thought process that persists throughout The Crucible: You will confess yourself or I will take you out and whip you to your death, Tituba! (pg. If retaliation is your fear, know thisI should hang ten thousand that dared to rise against the law, and an ocean of salt tears could not melt the resolution of the statute." He is there to convene trials of the accused, so when he tells John and the others he'll "burn a hot fire,", he means it. The madness begins in earnest with Abigails claim that Tituba and Ruth were conjuring spirits in the woods. Why is hypocrisy so common in repressive communities like Salem? 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. On Balance/Used under CC BY 2.0/Cropped from original. One path to higher standing and greater control would be in becoming John Proctors wife. Rational explanations are ground up by the drama of the rumor mill, and people see only what they want to see (whatever keeps them in the good graces of society andmakes them feel the best about themselves) in situations that don't appear to have easy explanations. Elizabeth notes that Mary's demeanor is now like that of the daughter of a prince (pg. He is openly weeping. Why does he decide to do so anyways? I'll go over the most important quotes from The Crucible, explaining both their literal meaning and why they're important. 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. By Act 4, many of the power structures that were firmly in place earlier in the play have disintegrated. Is there any character besides John Proctor that represents the voice of common sense amidst the madness? Did the girls really see the Devil or witches? The College Entrance Examination BoardTM does not endorse, nor is it affiliated in any way with the owner or any content of this site. Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here: PrepScholar 2013-2018. None other. 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.
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