Important Quotes from Crucible
"I have given you my soul; leave me my name!" Explain what this quote means.
At this point in the story, John Proctor knows he has little left to live for. He's been stripped of some many things- his dignity, his wife, his children, his home, etc... When he says "leave me my name," John is begging that despite everything he's been through, he can keep his name for both himself and God.
"You are pulling Heaven down and raising up a wh*re!" - Identify the quote (who, to whom, about whom) and its significance.
John Proctor said this quote about Abigail to Danforth. This shows how fed up he was with the whole affair and how powerful Abigail was becoming. He is also finally giving up on trying to maintain his dignity since he has nothing to lose anymore.
What does John say about his wife before she is brought in to testify? (111) Why is this ironic? Does she lie? What does this reveal about her character?
Before Elizabeth is brought to testify, John tells the court that his wife cannot lie. He said, "In her life, sir, she have never lied. There are them that cannot sing, and them that cannot weep - my wife cannot lie. I have paid much to learn it, sir." This is ironic because when Elizabeth is called in, she lies to protect John's name. This shows that no matter what, she is a good christian wife who truly loves her husband, even if he has an affair with someone else.
Proctor says, "My honesty is broke, Elizabeth, I am no good man." Explain what he means. Do you agree or disagree?
By saying this, Proctor means that he has already sinned, so he may as well sin again and lie to save his own life. The consequences of sinning are already in place for him so there is no use in telling the truth, just to be hanged. I agree with this because of two things: first of all, it is true that he has sinned before and therefore his name is already not pure. Secondly, the sin of lying would be in order to save himself from a hanging that he does not deserve, so that he can be there for his children.
Explain Danforth's reasoning that a pardon would not be just. Do you agree or disagree?
Danforth says that if he pardons the remaining accused, everyone who has already been hanged died in vain. He claims that it wouldn't be just to pardon the living accused witches when twelve others died for committing the same crime. Danforth doesn't want to admit to his own wrongdoing or show weakness. I disagree with his reasoning because it only makes the situation worse if he continues to imprison or hang the remaining accused witches. The others have already died without reason so it doesn't make sense to punish the living for their sake. It sounds more like Danforth is making excuses so he doesn't have to publically admit that what he did was unjust.
What confession does Elizabeth make to John? How has she changed since we first met her?
Elizabeth confesses that she does not believe that she has been a good wife, and kept a cold house. She really loves Jon, and thinks that she was partially at fault for his lechery. When she was first introduced, she was kind of flat character that seemed to be there only to make John's littlething with Abigail forbidden. But now, she has evolved into a more complex character who has deep inner turmoil.
"He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him!" What does Elizabeth mean?
Elizabeth says this about John at the very end of the play, once he finally comes to terms with himself and begins to forgive and love himself the way a person should. In that sense, he finally got his goodness you could say. John was finally accepting himself and deciding to do the right thing, morally and religiously, which would be to not lie and deceive the people who had died innocently for crimes they did not commit. The courageous friends he had known all died because they refused to lie and give up what they stood for, and John realized that it was worth it to him to follow their footsteps. This however would mean that he has to die, and Hale wanted Elizabeth to plead with John one last time and convince him to confess and live. She refused saying that now that he finally had his goodness, her asking him to lie would be taking this goodness right away from him, something she is not willing to do.
"This man is killing his neighbors for their land." - (96) Identify the quote (who, to whom, about whom) and its significance. What ultimately happens as a result of this accusation?
The context of the quote is this: Giles is telling the court that Putnam is only in the business of claiming land for personal profit and not because he (Putnam) actually owns or has a claim to that land. Giles is not able to substantiate this claim and his thrown out of court and all evidence he presented is essentially dismissed.
"Do that which is good and no harm shall come to thee." (95) Identify the quote (who, to whom, about whom) and its significance. Why is this ironic in terms of what is happening in Salem?
This quote from Act three is Proctor quoting what the angel Raphael said to Tobias. He is also encouraging Mary Warren to tell Danforth that the girls have been faking the entire time and that no one they have convicted is a witch. This quote is ironic in terms of what is happening in Salem because none of the characters are doing any good. For example, Proctor has committed adultery, the girls are lying about witchcraft and are getting people hanged, and Abigail drank chicken blood to kill Proctor's wife so she could marry him.
Explain the following quote: "We burn a hot fire here; it melts down all concealment." (89) Who says it? What does he/she mean? How is this an example of foreshadowing (think about what this might mean for John)?
This quote is said by Danforth when he is talking to Proctor. It is brought up as Proctor is accusing all the girls of pretense. When Danforth says this, he is talking about all of the lies and truths being told. It explains how the court gets to the bottom of everything and the truth will soon be let out one way or another. This is an example of foreshadowing because it tells you the truth will come out about Abby and John and that he should watch what he says.
"I dare not take a life without there be a proof so immaculate no slightest qualm of conscience may doubt it." (99) Identify the quote and its significance. How has this character changed since the beginning of the play?
This quote is stated by Reverend Hale, and it expresses that he is beginning to doubt that all the "witches" are guilty and deserved to be condemned, thus, questioning the legitimacy of the court. This is particularly significant as up until now, the officials have been blindly following the accusations of Abigail and the other girls. Reverend Hale is sacrificing his reputation in the court in order to do what he thinks is right, and attempt to take a stand to save the women and men whom he believes are innocent. In the beginning of the play, Reverend Hale believed the girls that there were witches and fell for their tricks, even going so far as to visit John Proctor to see if his house was one that belonged to Satan. However, he had since become aware that the court is being manipulated and has changed sides.
During John Proctor and Abigail's conversation, John says "But I will cut off my hand before I'll ever reach for you again". What does this say about his character?
This quote shows a lot about John Proctor's character. He is a man who has done some sinful things, but he is truly trying to better himself in his own eyes and the lord's. He is full of regret about his affair with Abigail, but he has since grown, and knows that he would never do anything to jeopardize his marriage again.
"How do you call Heaven! Wh*re! Wh*re!" (109) Identify the quote (who, to whom, about whom) and its significance. What secret is revealed as a result of this quotation?
This quote was said by John Proctor about Abigail Williams. Previous to this proclamation, Proctor practically attacks Abigail after she tries to prolong her lies. The quote reveals the secret that Proctor, Goody Proctor, and Abigail have been keeping, which is that Proctor had an affair and cheated on his wife with Abigail while she was working in his house.
What does Abigail mean when she says, "There be no blush about my name"? What does the color white represent?
When Abigail says "there be no blush about my name", she means that her character and standing in the community is untarnished. She is communicating that she has committed no wrongs in the eyes of the law, communal norms and God. In this case, she is also saying that her name is 'white' or unblemished, or has no flaws.
Parris says, "You cannot hang this sort. There is danger for me." What "sort" does he mean and what is the danger to him? Has Parris changed at all?
When Parris says, "You cannot hang this sort. There is a danger for me." he is talking about how if you hanging "this sort", meaning the ones who keep the town running through farming, will eventually ruin the town. There will be nobody to keep the farms in check, and those not hanged will be angry with Parris because he is the minister. I do not think that Parris has changed at all, just the situation has escalated, resulting in him caring only due to his reputation.
When Danforth puts the pressure on Abigail (108) and questions whether spirits might be directing her accusations, how does she respond? Give a direct quote. What does she do to take the attention off of herself?
When pressure is on Abigail, she is more determined than ever to keep herself out of trouble. She responds very dramatically and stands by her beliefs that the devil is in salem. Abigail says "I have been near murdered every day because I done my duty pointing out the devil's people- and this is my reward? To be mistrusted, denied, questioned like a-". Instead of responding reasonably she appeals to Danforth's insecurities and emotions.
