For Proctor, we quickly realize, Danforth insists that John must know more about the Devil's dealings than he has revealed. 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. 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. 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. Aye, naked! He claims that they must not jump to conclusions based on superstition in their investigation of Bettys affliction. in to her past affair with him. Danforth, who has the most authority, is also the most sold on her act, and it only takes a few screams to persuade him that hes in the presence of witchcraft. Like a struck beast, he says, and screamed a scream that a bull would weep to hear. Abigail's version of events is held to be true even after John confesses to their affair in a final effort to discredit her. Arthur Miller's story, ''The Crucible,'' explores the Salem witch trials. Refresh and try again. He is openly weeping. She has the power to utterly destroy peoples lives with a single accusation because she is seen as a victim and a savior. The concept of unity, in which positive and negative are attributes of the same force, in which good and evil are relative, ever-changing, and always joined to the same phenomenon - such a concept is still reserved to the physical sciences and to the few who have grasped the history of ideas., There is prodigious fear in seeking loose spirits, Pontius Pilate! (After all, you as the historian are alive on earth. . Abigails low status and perceived innocence under normal circumstances allow her to claim even greater power in her current situation. The Crucible Power Quotes - 721 Words | Bartleby Death sentences are not to be taken lightly, they must be careful. He believes that Postponement now speaks a floundering on my part; reprieve or pardon must cast doubt upon the guilt of them that died till now. Continue to start your free trial. The second major theme in The Crucible (and one that teachers often ask about) is fear and hysteria. Beware of it!" Here are a couple of other quotes that demonstrate fear/hysteria. And well she might, for I thought of her softly. (Elizabeth, Act 4, p. 134). Sure, you don't expect or want rain, but it's not the polar opposite of getting married. By Act 2, there have been notable changes in the power structure in Salem as a result of the ongoing trials. How does John Proctor know that the witchcraft isnt real? 'Near to four hundred are in the jails, and upon my signature" It is a mouse no more. Want 100 or more? Reverend Parris has a false notion of reputation. (Act 3, p. 103). 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. 73), meaning the girls are testing out the extent of the chaos they can create with their newfound power. Crucible Power Quotes - 1147 Words | Cram 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. Or are you somewhere else?) See how other students and parents are navigating high school, college, and the college admissions process. What motivates their attitudes and responses toward the witch trials? The witch and the victim. This is a sharp time, now, a precise timewe live no longer in the dusky afternoon when evil mixed itself with good and befuddled the world. Why doesnt Danforth believe John Proctors confession of his infidelity with Abigail Williams? The theme of guilt is one that is deeply relevant to John Proctor's character development throughout the play. 22). 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. c_ re\hspace{1cm}_ _ ardianship \hspace{1cm}_ us _ _ _ _. Some will be very direct. The final major theme is that of the power of society and authority in Puritan Salem. Her goal is to help students adopt a less stressful view of standardized testing and other academic challenges through her articles. First off, what is irony? This is taken as evidence that things are really getting out of control ("if Rebecca Nurse be tainted, then nothing's left to stop the whole green world from burning." I'll go over the most important quotes from The Crucible, explaining both their literal meaning and why they're important. Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here: PrepScholar 2013-2018. 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"). The judges cannot force her to commit herself to a lie, and her martyrdom severely damages their legitimacy and favor amongst the townspeople. The Crucible: John Proctor Quotes | SparkNotes Want to find out more about the characters who say these things? As she begs him to come back to her, her anger In one of the most well-known quotes in the play, John Proctor angrily insists that the little crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom (pg. It is as impossible for most men to conceive of a morality without sin as of an earth without 'sky'. ..it may well be God damns a liar less than he that throws his life away for pride. 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. 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. This confess or die mindset is one of the central ironies of the play. Armed with the false proof of these coerced confessions, the court officials aggressively persecute anyone who is accused. John feels incredibly ashamed of his affair with Abigail, so he tries to bury it and pretend it never happened. Sometimes it can end up there. 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. Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang! this quotation a fierce loathing of the entire townI never knew On Balance/Used under CC BY 2.0/Cropped from original. But I'll plead no more! One of the main elements that eventually build up to the main plot in the play is power. And it is my face, and yours, Danforth! 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. Below you'll find several quotes that demonstrate irony (dramatic or otherwise). Abigails many deceptions are sometimes laughably ironic as she chastises others for lying even as she is spinning falsehoods. They are all in the meeting room at court. The idea that a witch's familiar spirit is capable of stabbing people is too scary for the superstitious and now hysterical people of Salem to give Elizabeth the benefit of the doubt. Danforth cannot speak. This act also sees the irony of Hale discussing the powers of the dark that are attacking Salem (pg. I'll go over the most important quotes from The Crucible, explaining both their literal meaning and why they're important. God will not let you clean your hands of this!, If she is innocent! John Hale. Danforth has extensive pride in his intelligence and perceptiveness. 10. What is the writer attempting to convey to the viewer? 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. If you hope to write an awesome essay onThe Crucible, you should have extensive knowledge of its themes. midpoint between fall equinox and winter solstice; ryan nassar; who is cariad lloyd husband. Life, woman, life is God's most precious gift; no principle, however glorious, may justify the taking of it. 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. Each section also includes additional quotes that fall under the same general theme for you to practice analyzing on your own. Her jealousy of Elizabeth Proctors position as Johns wife has led her to attempted murder, first by the charm in the woods and now by accusing Elizabeth of witchcraft. Ask below and we'll reply! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang! 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. The Crucible | Quotes Share 1. Lie/Used under CC BY 2.0/Cropped from original. 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. Though actions are often motivated by fear and desires for power and revenge, they are also propped up by underlying worries about how a loss of reputation will negatively affect characters' lives. To Danforth, anything that doesnt confirm that he was right all along is a lie. You can also read my full summary of The Crucible here for a review of exactly what happens in the plot in each act. The village is certainly under attack, but not necessarily in the way Hale thinks it is. Reverend Parris in The Crucible | Character Traits & Quotes - Video In Act 3, Hale continues to make ironic statements about the existence of concrete proof for the accusations of witchcraft. The depths of the hysteria that has gripped Salem are revealed in Act 3 when John finally confronts the court. Abigail accuses Tituba first because Tituba is the one person below her on the ladder of power, so she makes an easy scapegoat. Both Hale and Proctor don't want to live with the consequences of their mistakes, so they try to ignore or undo their past actions. 119). Get the latest articles and test prep tips! 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. There is a faction that is sworn to drive me from my pulpit. 705 Words3 Pages. Ours is a divided empire in which certain ideas and emotions and actions are of God, and their opposites are of Lucifer. And Mary is not the only one to benefit from the added respect accorded to the afflicted girls, as the next quote demonstrates. He counters, the only evidence is the witch and victim's words. Why is everyone so quick to believe Abigails story? Compare and contrast three authority figures in this drama: Hale, Danforth, and Parris. How does reputation influence who is first accused of witchcraft? Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. The play illustrates the sudden empowerment of women, the fall of community, and the loss of power of high-ranking people, like Reverend Parris and John Proctor. Reverend Parris' concerns about his reputation are immediately evident in Act 1. Need some context to make these quotations make sense? There are several ironies in Act 1 that center around Abigail Williams. Samantha is also passionate about art and graduated with honors from Dartmouth College as a Studio Art major in 2014. Proctor explicitly states the subtext of the play the real devil of The Crucible is not Satan, but instead is people who don't step up to tell the truth (like Proctor) or who refuse to see the truth (like Danforth). makes them feel the best about themselves. Abigails presence is always rife with irony in. Therefore, we must rely upon her victimsand they do testify, the children certainly do testify. The depths of the hysteria that has gripped Salem are revealed in Act 3 when John finally confronts the court. Power can change a person's whole life perspective. Use quotes to discuss how Abigail, Danforth, and John Proctor use their . The Crucible is a play written by Arthur Miller about the Salem witch trials of 1692. Anns extreme conclusions are gradually accepted because rational people are too afraid to challenge the consensus and risk bringing accusations upon themselves. 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. In one of the most well-known quotes in the play, John Proctor angrily insists that the little crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom (pg. Danforth has extensive pride in his intelligence and perceptiveness. The Crucible: Study Guide | SparkNotes 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. "PROCTOR, with a cry of his whole soul: Because it is my name! Suppose you are a historian at some future time studying this famous bird attack. Free trial is available to new customers only. "Now Hell and Heaven grapple on our backs, and all our old pretense is ripped awaymake your peace!Peace. This causes problems down the line as Parris allows his paranoia about losing his position to translate into enthusiasm for the witch hunt. Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! The prisoners have lost all faith in earthly authority figures and look towards the judgment of God. They are extremely biased towards believing they have made the correct sentencing decisions in court thus far, so they are reluctant to accept new evidence that may prove them wrong. Most Important Themes in The Crucible, Analyzed. Envy is a deadly sin, Mary" (Abigail, Act 3, p. 106). She would never be able to say what she says in this quote to, for instance, her uncle Parris, and get away with it. 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. Here's another quote that shows the flip-flop of power and authority that happens during the witch trials: "ABIGAIL, stepping up to Danforth: What look do you give me? Most Important Themes in The Crucible, Analyzed - PrepScholar Even before Abigail makes accusations, rumors of witchcraft have morphed into accepted truths in the minds of the more superstitious members of the community. Mr. Nurse is now trying to prove the girls as frauds. I have broke charity with the woman, I have broke charity with her. He believes there is a group of people in town determined to remove him from this position, and. Find out more about PrepScholar Admissions now: hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(360031, 'f20994d3-fd87-4c1e-988d-22ad8d920c1a', {"useNewLoader":"true","region":"na1"}); This final section is devoted to The Crucible quotes that don't relate to one of the themes listed above, but still mark an important moment in the play. Want to write the perfect college application essay? This is a lesson in how fear can twist perceptions of reality even for those who consider themselves reasonable under normal circumstances. May 1, 2023, SNPLUSROCKS20 What causes tension between John and Elizabeth Proctor? The Crucible Quotes: Justice | SparkNotes Danforth takes offence to Mr. Nurse's claims. Elizabeth doesnt realize that John is willing to sacrifice his reputation to save her life. The town slips further and further into chaos and paranoia until it reaches a point of total devastation. Danforth continues to demonstrate the effects of hysteria in act 4 even after things have died down a bit in Salem and there have been rumblings of discontent about the courts actions. The fear caused by the thought of supernatural evil in Salem causes the characters in the play to turn a blind eye to logic and instead believe in claims not backed by actual "hard as rock" proof. Renews May 8, 2023 In Act 3, Abigails power in the courthouse is on display. Many of the characters in Arthur Miller's The Crucible have a strong desire for power. . The attitudes towards women in the 1950s, when the play was written, are evident in the roles they're given. The Crucible Essential Quotes by Theme: Reputation - eNotes.com to her, he is desperately trying to put the incident behind him. There are numerous connections between the flaws of individual characters and the overarching themes of the play that could be brought into this discussion. Irony abounds throughout The Crucibleascharacters who believe they are combating the Devils handiwork actually perform it themselves. 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. It's atoxic strategy that causes panic to spread quickly and fear for ones life to take the place of rationality. "I cannot speak but I am doubted, every moment judged for lies, as though I come into a court when I come into this house!" | She has the power to utterly destroy peoples lives with a single accusation because she is seen as a victim and a savior. And died., The Devil is precise; the marks of his presence are definite as stone, A fire, a fire is burning! for a customized plan. First, there is her jealousy of Elizabeth Proctor How are characters behaviors affected by concern for their reputations? The Crucible | 50 of the Most Important Quotes You Should Know Abigail distracts the judges from any rational investigation in this act by playing into this hysteria. An example would be something like: "How are themes like hysteria, hunger for power, reputation, or any of a number of others functional in the drama? However, this runs up against Danforths desire to preserve his reputation as a strong judge. Danforth, who has the most authority, is also the most sold on her act, and it only takes a few screams to persuade him that hes in the presence of witchcraft. You are selected, Tituba, you are chosen to help us cleanse our village." In Act 2, John Proctors guilt over his affair with Abigail is demonstrated through an ironic exchange with Reverend Hale. He has sentenced people to death based on lies about their dealings in black magic, and he has accepted other false confessions from those who would rather lie than be executed. In reality, true irony only happens when a situation is the exact opposite of what you would expect. If that was the case, though, this quote shows how even those not taken in by the hysterical claims or fear can still be affected by it. The other two main female characters, Elizabeth and Mary Warren, are somewhat bland. You can view our. Reverend Samuel Parris plays an important role in . She is a sensible, saintly old woman who chooses to martyr herself rather than lie and confess to witchcraft. See if you can answer these questions for yourself about this quote: What are the implications of this quote? SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. The fact that he forgets only this commandment shows that he is trying extremely hard to repress his guilt. Beware, Goody Proctorcleave to no faith when faith brings blood. overflows, and we see the roots of what becomes her targeted, destructive (Danforth, Act 3, p. 93). "ABIGAIL, in a temper: My name is good in the village! In this case, you're asked to discuss the concept of a tragic character, explaining who fits that mold in The Crucible and why. This makes him particularly averse to accepting that he's been fooled by a teenage girl. Our blog has complete analyses and discussion of all The Crucible themes as well as of McCarthyism in The Crucible. "ABIGAIL, in an open threat: Let you beware, Mr. Danforth. His guilt leads to great tension in interactions with Elizabeth because he projects his feelings onto her, accusing her of being judgmental and dwelling on his mistakes. 133). In the Puritan theocracy of Massachusetts, a government run by religious authorities, the dominant .
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