the crucible quotes about power

She openly threatens Danforth for even entertaining Mary and John's accusations of fraud against her. The Crucible Quotes Act 2 With Page Numbers "Some dream I had must have mistaken you for God that day. Purchasing This means that much of the population that remains is comprised of the power-hungry, the selfish, and the cowardly. "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. This new power is exciting and very dangerous because. 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. This makes him particularly averse to accepting that he's been fooled by a teenage girl. While touting his holy credentials, he claims that he dare not take a life without there be a proof so immaculate no slightest qualm of my conscience may doubt it (pg. It can be hard to pick out particular moments or quotes as being key since everything moves along so quickly. This attitude comes from a man who has shown no remorse for condemning people to death throughout the play. I have given you my soul; leave me my name!, I speak my own sins; I cannot judge another. to her, he is desperately trying to put the incident behind him. 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 Power Of Power In The Crucible If witchcraft is discovered in the Reverend's own home, it can very quickly ruin his reputation. Abigails many deceptions are sometimes laughably ironic as she chastises others for lying even as she is spinning falsehoods. 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. We see Abigail's art of manipulation, Danforth's black-and-white worldview, and Proctor losing his initial restraint and admitting to what he did. God will not let you clean your hands of this!, If she is innocent! midpoint between fall equinox and winter solstice; ryan nassar; who is cariad lloyd husband. Ann Putnam jumps at any opportunity to blame supernatural forces for the deaths of her children. Parris is extremely dismayed by this revelation because of the damage it will do to his reputation. "More weight," he says. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? The price he has to pay in reputation to save his own life is ultimately too high. See how other students and parents are navigating high school, college, and the college admissions process. Why does Mary Warren warn John about testifying against Abigail? He have his goodness now. The judges cannot force her to commit herself to a lie, and her martyrdom severely damages their legitimacy and favor amongst the townspeople. on 50-99 accounts. All Quotes AbracaDENIAL! Welcome back. creating and saving your own notes as you read. Ask below and we'll reply! Power is the ability or right to control people, things, or outcomes. Later in Act 4, Danforth becomes angry at the implication that Johns confession may not be the truth. The Danger of Ideology. Armed with the false proof of these coerced confessions, the court officials aggressively persecute anyone who is accused. Elizabeth notes that Mary's demeanor is now like that of the daughter of a prince (pg. One example of this is when Mary Warren accuses John Proctor of being the Devil's man: when push comes to shove, she is not strong enough to tell the truth (Act 3, p. 110). However, this runs up against Danforths desire to preserve his reputation as a strong judge. (Act 1, p. 12). Danforth explains that witchcraft is an invisible crime and that only the victims are reliable. 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! 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 3, p. 88), "Oh, Mary, this is a black art to change your shape. Johns concern for his reputation is strong throughout the play, and his hesitation to reveal Abigails true nature is a product of his own fears of being labeled an adulterer. Both flaws led him to delay telling the truth about Abigail's fraudulent claims and their previous relationship, thus dooming himself and many others to death or imprisonment. In Act 2, the value of reputation in Salem starts to butt heads with the power of hysteria and fear to sway peoples opinions (and vengeance to dictate their actions). Essential Passage 1: Act 1. 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. We profile Aleister Crowley and analyze some of his key quotes in this article. 123). Why does he decide to do so anyways? builds quickly as accusations of witchcraft proliferate throughout Salem. Why does Mary Warren behave differently when she becomes involved in the trials? The Crucible . I have your back with this complete guide to The Crucible quotes. What ACT target score should you be aiming for? 22). The Crucible Quotes about Hysteria #1: There are wheels within wheels in this village, and fires within fires! Its easy for more respectable citizens to accept that shes in league with the Devil because she is an "other" in Salem, just like Tituba. It's hardly surprising there is so much irony in The Crucible after all, one of the central causes of conflict in the play is hypocrisy. How is the theme of power shown in the crucible? I beg you, woman, prevail upon your husband to confess. This immaculate proof that has led him to sign numerous death warrants is nothing but the fabrications of teenage girls and other townspeople seeking petty revenge. I hear the boot of Lucifer, I see his filthy face! this quotation a fierce loathing of the entire townI never knew In a way. Don't leave your college application to chance. Why doesnt John Proctor attend church often? In a case like this, you'd be writing directly about a specific theme in connection to one of the characters. He says, I would to God it were not so, Excellency, but these people have great weight yet in the town (pg. 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? First, there is her jealousy of Elizabeth Proctor and her fantasy that if she could only dispose of Elizabeth, John would be hers. I I would have you speak civilly to me, from this out." 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). 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. 71). 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. By the second act, the repercussions of the trials are starting to reverberate out of the courtroom. It is the best the Devil wants, and who is better than the minister." As Reverend Hale says to Danforth, Excellency, there are orphans wandering from house to house; abandoned cattle bellow on the highroads, the stink of rotting crops hangs everywhere, and no man knows when the harlots cry will end his life - and you wonder yet if rebellions spoke? (Act 4, pg. Hales involvement is taken to mean that there must be a supernatural element to Bettys illness. In steadfastly refusing to confess, Rebecca Nurse holds onto a great deal of power. If Tituba was permitted to explain what really happened, the ensuing tragedy might have been prevented. 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. How may I live without my name? "We burn a hot fire here; it melts down all concealment." Have I not? 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. 71). A Comprehensive Guide. "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. 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. No one even considers Mary's statement about sticking the needle in herself. Hale also contends with his guilt in act 4 for his role in condemning the accused witches, who he now believes are innocent. He covers his face, ashamed. 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. Envy is a deadly sin, Mary" (Abigail, Act 3, p. 106). This well-intentioned mistake seals both of their fates. Danforth also acts out of concern for his reputations here. Below you'll find several quotes that demonstrate irony (dramatic or otherwise). Mr. Hale, as God have not empowered me like Joshua to stop this sun from rising, so I cannot withhold from them the perfection of their punishment. Four judges and the King's deputy sat to dinner with us but an hour ago. and her fantasy that if she could only dispose of Elizabeth, John Now we cannot hope the witch will accuse herself; granted? She is enraged when Parris questions her suspicious dismissal from the Proctor household. Danforth, Hathorne, and Parris become even more rigid in their views when they feel they are under attack. Deception is a major driving force inThe Crucible. This all takes place in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. 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. The Crucible provides an example of how convenient lies can build on one another to create a universally accepted truth even in the absence of any real evidence. For Proctor, we quickly realize, The thematic significance of hysteria builds quickly as accusations of witchcraft proliferate throughout Salem. The turmoil in Salem is propelled forward by desires for revenge and power that have been simmering beneath the town's placid exterior. Contact us 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.". This makes him particularly averse to accepting that he's been fooled by a teenage girl. SAT is a registered trademark of the College Entrance Examination BoardTM. 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. I will not have it said my name is soiled! 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. 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. Hale also makes some unintentionally ironic statements in Act 1 when he begins his investigation. In the final events of Act 4, John Proctor has a tough choice to make between losing his dignity and losing his life. "For how else is she struck dumb now except some power of darkness would stop her mouth? The Reverend is the one preaching God and against witchcraft. c_ re\hspace{1cm}_ _ ardianship \hspace{1cm}_ us _ _ _ _. Many of the characters in Arthur Miller's The Crucible have a strong desire for power. While I speak Gods law, I will not crack its voice with whimpering (pg. 91). In his case, it's more hysteria than fear he doesn't particularly fear that he may be accused as a witch, but he has been persuaded by the "frightful proofs" he's seen and this has blinded him to any other possible reasons that the witchcraft accusations might be being made. A man may think God sleeps, but God sees everything, I know it now. Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Though hysteria overpowered the reputations of the accused in the past two acts, in act 4 the sticking power of their original reputations becomes apparent. Refresh and try again. "We cannot look to superstition in this. Here are a couple of other quotes that demonstrate fear/hysteria. He appears to have no governing system of morality. No one even considers Mary's statement about sticking the needle in herself. What is the writer attempting to convey to the viewer? Have I not?" Elizabeth is a victim of cruel irony in this Act when she is summoned to testify on the reasons why she dismissed Abigail from her household. Hale pg. When Abigail accuses Elizabeth, a respected farmers wife, it shows that she is willing to take big risks to remove Elizabeth from the picture. Quotes By Arthur Miller. (Hale, Act 4, p. 122). 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. Curious about more recent (20th-century) occult activity in the U.S.? Try our summaries of all four acts of The Crucible, as well as our comprehensive plot summary. Insert commas where necessary. Even before Abigail makes accusations, rumors of witchcraft have morphed into accepted truths in the minds of the more superstitious members of the community. Danforth makes a shocking argument defending the way the trials have been conducted, insisting that only the victims testimony can serve as reliable evidence in this type of trial. Significant Quotations Acts 2-3 . Youve successfully purchased a group discount. As he says, How may I live without my name? 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. Hale is convinced that a scientific inquiry based only on facts and reality can be conducted to detect a supernatural presence. In Act 1 he jumped on board with the hysteria to preserve his power, but he ended up losing what little authority he had in the first place (and, according to Miller's afterward, was voted out of office soon after the end of the play). 119). When she cant get John to abandon Elizabeth for her, she decides to take matters into her own hands and gain control through manipulating the fears of others. "Do you know who I am, Mr. Abigail also shows concern for her reputation. Renews May 8, 2023 In this environment, whoever yells the loudest seems to get the most credibility. 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. 121). Theme Religion Quote "The parochial snobbery of these people was partly responsible for their failure to convert the . their relationship belongs to the pastwhile he may still be attracted As John gives his confession, Danforth says to Rebecca Nurse Now, woman, you surely see it profit nothin to keep this conspiracy any further. The fact that he forgets only this commandment shows that he is trying extremely hard to repress his guilt. How does Parris pride prevent him from doing anything to stop the progression of events in the play? "But God made my face; you cannot want to tear my face. Act 4 is Danforths turn to shine in the irony department. 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. (After all, you as the historian are alive on earth. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. "She sat to dinner in Reverend Parris's house tonight, and without word nor warnin' she falls to the floor. Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. And the wind, God's icy wind, will blow!" (Abigail Williams, Act 1, p. 19). 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. But I'll plead no more! Parris Act 1, Paranoia, jealousy, power, reputation, repression, "You cannot command Mr Parris, We vote by name in this society, not by acreage." 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. He chooses to die instead of providing a false confession because he doesnt think life will be worth living after he is so disgraced. 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. In the Puritan theocracy of Massachusetts, a government run by religious authorities, the dominant . Proctor is the voice of common sense here, as a counterpoint to Hale's "don't question the process" stance. 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). In this environment, whoever yells the loudest seems to get the most credibility. 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. 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. 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. Throughout the play, there is evidence that many characters, power rises while it falls for others . 133). 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. 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. Salem Massachusetts - Burying Point Cemetery/Used under CC BY 2.0/Resized from original. Parris cares more about himself than others, even his own blood. Essay prompts will ask about these themes in a variety of different ways. 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 (. This is a lesson in how fear can twist perceptions of reality even for those who consider themselves reasonable under normal circumstances. This act also sees the irony of Hale discussing the powers of the dark that are attacking Salem (pg. One of the main elements that eventually build up to the main plot in the play is power. (Danforth, Act 3, p. 87), Danforth's belief in black-and-white morality exacerbates the situation in Salem. Mrs. Putnam intends her exclamation to refer to the fact that there are witchy plots afoot, but it holds true even outside of that context things are not what they seem in Salem, and there are complex cause-and-effect chains. What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For? 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. She turns and starts for the door." 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. Is the accuser always holy now? Beware, Goody Proctorcleave to no faith when faith brings blood. 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 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points, How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer. It's atoxic strategy that causes panic to spread quickly and fear for ones life to take the place of rationality. Is it really the weather, as some characters in the story think? Will you confess yourself with him? (pg. 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. (Act 3, p. 100). Mary Warren feels entitled to, asks for, and (to some extent) receives respect because she is now in a greater position of power. She is enraged when Parris questions her suspicious dismissal from the Proctor household. And Mary is not the only one to benefit from the added respect accorded to the afflicted girls, as the next quote demonstrates. Were they born this morning as clean as God's fingers? I think I have made my point. I have no tongue for it., Life, woman, life is God's most precious gift; no principle, however glorious, may justify the taking of it., It is rare for people to be asked the question which puts them squarely in front of themselves, I may think of you softly from time to time. Before I get into the nitty-gritty of howThe Cruciblethemes are expressed, let's do a quick overview of what themes are and why they matter. 133). Danforths image is extremely valuable to him, and he refuses to allow Parris concerns to disrupt his belief in the validity of his decisions. 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. Once there have been enough convictions, the reputations of the judges also become factors. Need some context to make these quotations make sense? The final major theme is that of the power of society and authority in Puritan Salem. It'll mean the loss of his good name, but on the other hand, it'll be a way for him to atone for his sins maybe he'll at last feel "God's icy wind" and be able to put this behind him. Tituba is forced to accept her role as a pawn for those with greater authority and a stepping stone for Abigails ascent to power. We have listed the best ones for you here. Hale pg. 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. (Act 4, p. 119). ..it may well be God damns a liar less than he that throws his life away for pride. In the case of a play like The Crucible, themes are revealed mainly through the dialogue of the characters. One path to higher standing and greater control would be in becoming John Proctors wife. 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! She has the power to utterly destroy peoples lives with a single accusation because she is seen as a victim and a savior. Research/Science. John tells the judge to summon Elizabeth to back him up because he knows she always tells the truth. They say he give them but two words. There's a message here about the choices we have in dealing with guilt. Abigail's version of events is held to be true even after John confesses to their affair in a final effort to discredit her. Each line, when completed, should have three words similar in meaning. Set in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1692, The Crucible centers on a small, Puritan community. (Giles, Act 3, p. 79). When Abigail accuses Elizabeth, a respected farmers wife, it shows that she is willing to take big risks to remove Elizabeth from the picture. If Danforth accepts Marys testimony, it would mean that he wrongly convicted numerous people already. In Act 2, John Proctors guilt over his affair with Abigail is demonstrated through an ironic exchange with Reverend Hale. Elizabeth notes that Mary's demeanor is now like that of the daughter of a prince (pg. But it is a whore's vengeance For example, Abigail went from being powerless to using the witch trials to become empowered. It is a marvellous sign, Mr Parris!" (pg.24) . Why is everyone so quick to believe Abigails story? He is completely oblivious to the fact that the victims might be lying. How do the witch trials empower individuals who were previously powerless? I'm a proper girl!" Danforth, Hathorne, and Parris become even more rigid in their views when they feel they are under attack. Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Crucible, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. Learn about the story by reviewing quotes from Reverend Parris, one of the book's main characters. Choose a single character and discuss how this person embodies one of the themes. I have given you my soul; leave me my name! (pg. The madness begins in earnest with Abigails claim that Tituba and Ruth were conjuring spirits in the woods. Want 100 or more? Choose a single character and discuss how this person embodies one of the themes. 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. The fact that he forgets only this commandment shows that he is trying extremely hard to repress his guilt. I'll give a short summary of how each plays a role in the events of The Crucible. 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. Abigails power skyrockets as the hysteria grows more severe. Abigail also shows concern for her reputation. A theme is a central topic that is addressed by a work of literature. 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. Get the latest articles and test prep tips! You can also read my full summary of The Crucible here for a review of exactly what happens in the plot in each act. Abigails many deceptions are sometimes laughably ironic as she chastises others for lying even as she is spinning falsehoods. Giles Corey provided evidence against his wife, Martha (reading book), on accident; but he got kicked out. 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! 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. None other. 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. Parris is worried "they will howl [him] out of Salem for such corruption in [his] house" (14). AGAIN, Danforth takes this as an act against his authority. 50). Abigail, with a flash of anger: How do you call me child! 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. Hale demonstrates perfectly the mindset of the characters affected by the hysteria and fear. The way to have power is to capture it. These connections will bolster your responses by positioning them in relation to the most important concepts discussed throughout the play. 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.

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