As an exercise to deepen your understanding of the book, try to explain how each one demonstrates concern about name, reputation, or pride. PDF The Crucible Hale is convinced that a scientific inquiry based only on facts and reality can be conducted to detect a supernatural presence. Throughout the play, there is evidence that many characters, power rises while it falls for others . Many of the characters in Arthur Miller's The Crucible have a strong desire for power. Abigail's version of events is held to be true even after John confesses to their affair in a final effort to discredit her. The depths of the hysteria that has gripped Salem are revealed in Act 3 when John finally confronts the court. The ruthlessness with which the suspected witches are treated is aimed at purifying Salem, but it achieves the opposite outcome. In the Arthur Miller play, The Crucible, one person abused their power; while the other person was elevated . It is a marvellous sign, Mr Parris!" (pg.24) . No one even considers Mary's statement about sticking the needle in herself. Anns extreme conclusions are gradually accepted because rational people are too afraid to challenge the consensus and risk bringing accusations upon themselves. 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. We profile Aleister Crowley and analyze some of his key quotes in this article. 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). She says, "My name is good in the village! Aye, naked! The Power Of Power In The Crucible If witchcraft is discovered in the Reverend's own home, it can very quickly ruin his reputation. Because I cannot have another in my life! This vicious cycle continues to claim the lives of more and more people as the play progresses. I have broke charity with the woman, I have broke charity with her. And he goes to save her, and, stuck two inches in the flesh of her belly, he draw a needle out." Danforth to Francis Nurse. There is too much evidence now to deny it" (Hale, Act 2, p. 61). Abigail Williams utters these words Anns extreme conclusions are gradually accepted because rational people are too afraid to challenge the consensus and risk bringing accusations upon themselves. Many of the Crucible quotes fall into the category of "dramatic irony", which is the irony that's created when there's a mismatch between what a character thinks or says and what the audience knows to be true. (Act 3, p. 103). By Act 4, many of the power structures that were firmly in place earlier in the play have disintegrated. The turmoil in Salem is propelled forward by desires for revenge and power that have been simmering beneath the town's placid exterior. The Salem witch trials empowered several characters in the play who were previously marginalized in Salem society. As he says,How may I live without my name? Take a look at this article for details on the history and thematic parallels behind this connection. to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. "PROCTOR, with a cry of his whole soul: Because it is my name! As for the witches, none will deny that we are most eager for all their confessions. There's also a bit of foreshadowing with "as though I come into a court", since in Act 3 Proctor will do that very thing. I'll go over the most important quotes from The Crucible, explaining both their literal meaning and why they're important. See if you can answer these questions for yourself about this quote: What are the implications of this quote? 41). 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. His only goal is to get on the good side of the community as a whole, even in the midst of this bout of collective hysteria. Is reputation more important than truth? She is enraged when Parris questions her suspicious dismissal from the Proctor household. 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. "More weight," he says. The court refuses to challenge anyone who claims to have been afflicted. It is mistaken law that leads you to sacrifice. She is enraged when Parris questions her suspicious dismissal from the Proctor household. 121). I beg you, sir, I beg you - see her what she isShe thinks to dance with me on my wife's grave! (Abigail, Act 3, p.107), "PROCTOR: I falter nothing, but I may wonder if my story will be credited in such a court. Why does John decide to ruin his reputation in Act 3 by confessing to the affair? 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. 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. 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? Hale also makes some unintentionally ironic statements in Act 1 when he begins his investigation. 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. Why is Elizabeth Proctor accused of witchcraft? Tituba, the lowest of the low (slave and a woman) has her status temporarily elevated because of the witch trials. Read our overview of the characters in The Crucible here. Now that you've seen a few ironic quotes analyzed and explained, it's your turn! These two institutions fuse together in The Crucible to actively encourage accusers and discourage rational explanations of events. I will not have it said my name is soiled! These types of statements made by Hale earlier in the play become even more ironic in Act 4 when he realizes he made a horrible mistake by trusting the "evidence" that was presented to him. Quotes Deputy Governor Danforth We burn a hot fire here; it melts down all concealment. (Proctor, Act 2, p. 73). By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. Ours is a divided empire in which certain ideas and emotions and actions are of God, and their opposites are of Lucifer. "We burn a hot fire here; it melts down all concealment." This makes him particularly averse to accepting that he's been fooled by a teenage girl. How does this philosophy perpetuate hysteria? Beware of it!" I have your back with this complete guide to The Crucible quotes. In Act 2, John Proctors guilt over his affair with Abigail is demonstrated through an ironic exchange with Reverend Hale. How are characters behaviors affected by concern for their reputations? It's strange work for a Christian girl to hang old women!, [W]e conceive the Devil as a necessary part of a respectable view of cosmology. How does the central tragic character change throughout the play, and how does this relate to the play's title? 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! "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. 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? (Proctor, Act 2 p. 52), "PROCTOR: Because it speaks deceit, and I am honest! How is the theme of power shown in the crucible? Abigails presence is always rife with irony in The Crucible, as she constantly chastises others for sins she herself has committed. quote makes clear. I have seen too many frightful proofs in court - the Devil is alive in Salem, and we dare not quail to follow wherever the accusing finger points!" Explore a character analysis of John Proctor, the plot summary, and important quotes. Reverend Parris' concerns about his reputation are immediately evident in Act 1. She continues to act under the assumption that his reputation is of the utmost importance to him, and she does not reveal the affair. The Crucible Quotes by Arthur Miller - Goodreads A man may think God sleeps, but God sees everything, I know it now. The Reverend is the one preaching God and against witchcraft. 123). Here, Proctor is anticipating the loss of his reputation once it comes to light that he has had an affair with Abigail. $18.74/subscription + tax, Save 25% The Crucible: Important Quotes Explained | SparkNotes In The Crucible, Miller gradually reveals Reverend Parris's persona as the play goes on. references the many sentencing decisions he has already made in the trials of the accused. If Tituba was permitted to explain what really happened, the ensuing tragedy might have been prevented. Be sure to tell why the murderous birds didn't succeed in wiping out the world. Danforth insists that John must know more about the Devil's dealings than he has revealed. romp through Salem. Many people are under the impression that irony is just when something happens that you don't expect (or that you really hoped wouldn't happen). (Hale, Act 2, p. 68). First, his upstanding reputation is melted away (when he confesses to adultery) and Procto is revealed as a hypocrite; at the end of The Crucible, though, a second, stronger core is exposed when Proctor chooses to be hanged as a witch rather than falsely (and publicly) confess to witchcraft. How do outside forces contribute to the character's flaws and eventual downfall?". Danforth has extensive pride in his intelligence and perceptiveness. 129). It is a providence, and no great change; we are only what we always were, but naked now.. He appears to have no governing system of morality. While I speak God's law, I will not crack its voice with whimpering. ann putnam quotes the crucible - weeteneet.be The Crucible Power Analysis. Hales involvement is taken to mean that there must be a supernatural element to Bettys illness. Set in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1692, The Crucible centers on a small, Puritan community. It is an invisible craft, evidence is hard to consider. Act 4 is Danforths turn to shine in the irony department. And he goes to save her, and, stuck two inches in the flesh of her belly, he draw a needle out." He says, I would to God it were not so, Excellency, but these people have great weight yet in the town (pg. Research/Science. The College Entrance Examination BoardTM does not endorse, nor is it affiliated in any way with the owner or any content of this site. 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. Themes can be expressed in many different ways. 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. She has the power to utterly destroy peoples lives with a single accusation because she is seen as a victim and a savior. Abigails power skyrockets as the hysteria grows more severe. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. ZgZx-the-crucible-quotes.docx - Theme Religion Quote "The Abigail insists that she did nothing to deserve it and tries to put all the blame on Elizabeth Proctor. I hear the boot of Lucifer, I see his filthy face! Hysteria blinds the people of Salem to reason as they become convinced that there is a grand Satanic plot brewing in town, and they must not hesitate to condemn anyone who could be involved. What happens when Mary Warren tells the court the truth about the girls acting bewitched? For Proctor, we quickly realize, I think I have made my point. "ABIGAIL, in an open threat: Let you beware, Mr. Danforth. She comes to me while I sleep; shes always making me dream corruptions! pg. 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). 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. Hale tells Danforth not to be hasty, let Proctor come back with a lawyer later. Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools. This line is a reference to the name of the play, The Crucible. 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." (Act 2, p. 59). The fact that he forgets only this commandment shows that he is trying extremely hard to repress his guilt. SAT is a registered trademark of the College Entrance Examination BoardTM. Ann Putnam jumps at any opportunity to blame supernatural forces for the deaths of her children. Goody Proctor is a gossiping liar!" Power Quotes From The Crucible. QuotesGram Why does Mary Warren behave differently when she becomes involved in the trials?