JOHN PROCTOR QUOTES ELIZABETH PROCTOR QUOTES HALE QUOTES

JOHN PROCTOR QUOTES

ELIZABETH PROCTOR QUOTES

HALE QUOTES

PARRIS QUOTES

Parris Go directly home and speak nothing of unnatural causes Act 1 To who? Susanna Relevance Fear of the possibility that it may be “unnatural” and fear that his name and reputation will be tainted Abigail, do you understand that I have many enemies? There is a faction that is sworn to drive me from my pulpit 1 Abigail His reputation matters to him and he knows that his “enemies” (i. e. those in the community who do not like his way, his manner or his arrogance) will take full advantage of anything negative about him. This sets the scene for the audience to know that there is a divide in the community already. I pray you leap not to witchcraft …they will howl me out of Salem for such corruption in my house. 1 Mr Putnam Fear of the vengeance of his enemies and of the accusation of witch craft. I do not preach for children, Rebecca. It is 1 not the children who are unmindful of their obligations towards this ministry. Rebecca Ironic since it is the children who start and continue the accusations! I am not some preaching farmer. . : I am a graduate of Harvard College. 1 John Proctor Characterisation. Arrogance and hubris – he sees his academic success as the only skill he needs to be a minister of God – the compassion and love that some in the community (Rebecca, John, Giles all represent these people) look for in their minister is not evident in anything Parris does. Why am I persecuted here? …I have often wondered if the Devil be in it somewhere 1 Proctor, Giles Blames the existence of the devil in the community for the fact he is not welcomed in Salem as he would like – shows that the Devil was blamed for a lot of things they could not understand. Since they could not actually see the devil himself but instead he would be found in people who had apparently “trafficked” with him so they then would be blamed …and so the laws and justice was meted out even before the witch hunt.

Parris Act To who? Relevance There is either obedience or the church will burn like Hell is burning! 1 Proctor, Giles How can it be the devil? Why would he choose my house to strike? 1 Hale KEY quote to explain the reasons why people stuck to theology and the laws – the fear that if they did not their communities would break down, God would abandon them and the devil would take over. This is what their leaders told them would happen and it was important in those uncertain times to keep a sense of a strong community – but people like John (and even Abigail in her way) were questioning these laws and rules. He/they think the devil would only communicate with the obviously “bad”. Fear of the devil and the unknown. You will confess yourself or I will take you out 1 and whip you to your death, Tituba! Tituba Violent and aggressive – fearful and stoking the flames of the fear and the beginnings of the hysteria. Also, who would not confess if they thought they would be whipped to death anyway? But the authority figures never see this human aspect to the accusations. Who? Their names, their names! 1 Tituba Fueling the accusations and hysteria – getting the names is key for the blame to be placed and for Parris to feel he can be distanced from the accusations. Throughout the play, Parris and other authority figures often fuel the very hysteria that fuels the accusations of innocent people thereby destroying the community they claim to want to save from the devil! Such a Christian that will not come to church but once in a month! 3 Danforth about Proctor Accusing Proctor of being un. Christian – he sees Proctor as an enemy and would like to see him “undone” and humiliated in public. So, even the authority figures are taking their revenge on those they dislike or distrust without thought to the consequences.

Parris Act To who? Relevance All innocent and Christian people are happy for the courts in Salem! These people are gloomy for it. 3 Danforth Highlighting the fact that if people questioned any of the court proceedings they would be accused of being un. Christian and so possibly in league with the devil or with those who have been accused – reminiscent of George W Bush’s statement about terrorism “you are either with us or against us” which leads to very simplistic, extreme and often unjust laws. The Devil lives on such confidences! 3 Danforth Using the name of the Devil (and sometimes he uses the name Satan) gives his point more power and intensity and means it can be ignored less easily as no one can be seen to be ignoring any accusations that the Devil be involved. The use of religious language throughout the play is used to give power and intensity to the lines so that the characters speaking it or listening to it gain more control or influence in the scene. I never saw any of them naked 3 Danforth Characterisation and abuse of power. A lie as he tells Abi in Act 1 that he thought he saw someone naked running through the trees. Desperate to keep any blame away from himself. Abi knows he is lying - she would only do herself damage if she tells them this. People are protecting themselves now no matter what the real truth is. Cast the. Devil out! Look him in the face! Trample him! We’ll save you, Mary, only stand fast against him Parris There be a faction here, feeding on that news, and I tell you true, sir, I fear there will be a riot here. 3 Mary Warren Act 4 To who? Danforth Religious language to inspire Mary and persuade her that God is on her side – the ultimate thing they all want. Relevance Individual against authority. Parris is realising that he has been duped by his niece, Abigail – now he is trying to redeem himself in some way by trying to stop the trials. If he (Hale) brings even one of these to God, that confession surely damns the others in the public eye, and none may doubt more that they are linked to Hell 4 Danforth Highlights the fact that the authorities now know that they need to find a way out of the situation without losing credibility – their power and abuse of it has gone too far It will strike the village that Proctor confess. Let him sign it, let him sign it. 4 Danforth Using Proctor to get what they want i. e. an end to the trials. Desperate – starts the hysteria leading up to Proctor refusing to sign his confession

ABIGAIL QUOTES

Abigail Act To who? Relevance a bitter woman, a lying cold, snivelling woman 1 John Proctor Characterisation very nasty and mean in her description – talking out of turn for a girl her age in that community. Starts to show her darker side. a gossiping liar! 1 John Characterisation no blush about my name 1 Parris Characterisation Lying to save herself; “dissembling” to appear innocent; in direct contrast with Elizabeth Oh we’ll be whipped! 1 Mary Characterisation the darker side is clear here. No way will she take the full blame even if she did instigate the calling of the spirits etc. 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. 1 Mary and Mercy Characterisation and use of powerful imagery in her language to create more intensity and fear. oh she’s only gone silly somehow 1 John Explicitly says that Betty is not witched and yet as the play unfolds she uses the witchcraft rumours and hysteria for her own ends I have a sense for heat, John, and yours has 1 drawn me to your window and I have seen you looking up, burning in your loneliness John Characterisation The language and sensual imagery shows her to be a much more sophisticated and experienced girl than her uncle, Parris, or the community would believe of a young girl.

Abigail Act To who? Relevance you are no wintry man 1 John Description of John as a man with warmth and heat in his character – flirty and explicit for the times which shows us her forward and confident personality I never knew the lying lessons I was taught by all these Christian women and their covenanted men! 1 John The affair with John has opened her eyes to a life and a relationship with a man that she has never been taught about – now that she knows about mutual passion, love making and that someone like John can have an affair it makes all the things she has been taught a lie. The adults must know these things go on but as children they would never be told these things as it would be unchristian and seen as evil/dirty/against God’s will etc I never sold myself! I’m a good girl! I’m a proper girl! 1 Hale Desperately trying to find a way out of the situation and of being accused herself. She made me do it! She made Betty do it! 1 Hale KEY moment. The start of the accusations and the hysteria I want to open myself! I want the light of God, I want the sweet love of Jesus! I danced for the Devil: I saw him: I wrote my name in his book…I saw Sarah Good with the Devil! I saw Goody Osburn with the Devil!. . . 1 Hale Using religious language to increase the intensity and persuade Hale and Parris and the rest of those there that she is sincere - using language that refers to God and His love would be taken very seriously and not questioned. Here she is abusing that knowledge to get herself out of her predicament. The start of the very hysterical accusations. No I cannot, I cannot stop my mouth; it’s God’s work I do. 3 Mary Warren/court Using God’s name (religious language)to reinforce the impression she wants to give that she is “good”. You will not! Begone 3 To the “bird” Just as Hale has said he has always thought Abigail false she starts to become HYSYERICAL again to divert attention away from the truth. Abuse of her POWER.

DANFORTH QUOTES

Danforth Act To who? Relevance This is the highest court of 4 the supreme government of this province Giles Characterisation. Using his status and position to ensure he gets the respect he feels he deserves. Mary Warren draw back your spirit out of them! 3 Mary Warren Clearly believes in the witching of Abigail by Mary; shows belief in Abigail and in evil spirits; drawn in by Abigail’s and the girls’ HYSTERIA; Demands she do this as if she has control and as if anything he asks must be done. We burn a hot fire here; it melts down all concealment 3 Proctor Use of imagery – the crucible – to give the claim more power. Dramatic ironyas they have a huge amount of power to find the truth but this is not what is happening and the audience and some characters know this which creates tension. Growing hysterical 3 Miller’s stage directions Even Danforth is drawn into the HYSTERIA. Shows how powerful it/Abigail was. And seventy two hang by that signature 3 Francis Nurse Proud of the fact he has hung these people accused of witchcraft Proctor Cannot believe that Proctor would question the girls and their accusations – ironic that the court and proceedings have been dominated and led by children who are so much more guilty than anyone can imagine. Do you know, Mr Proctor, 3 that the entire contention of the state in these trials is that the voice of Heaven is speaking through the children?

Danforth Act To who? Relevance You are combined with 3 anti-Christ. I have seen your power; you will not deny it! Proctor Using the power of religious language to make the moment more intense and give his statement more credibility. You must understand sir that a person is either with us or he must be counted against it Proctor Underlines the stress and pressure that people were under to be seen to be on the court – God’s - side and not be accused. There is a fear in the 3 country because there is a moving plot to topple Christ in the country! Hale The fear that those in authority have that the communities and the country will disintegrate without the law of God to keep everyone law abiding and keep them scared of questioning the authorities. The abuse of this power is what continues to fuel the accusations and the hysteria. Children, a very augur 3 bit will now be turned into your souls until your honesty is proved, Mary Warren and Abigail Powerful and visual language to reinforce threat. To God every soul is precious and His vengeance is terrible on them that take life without cause 3 Abigail Powerful and religious language to reinforce the importance of the damnation – and also ironic as it is Danforth that is taking innocent lives even though he is noes not know it She spoke nothing of lechery and this man has lied! 3 To those present in the ante room off the court room KEY moment as Danforth decides that Elizabeth has told the truth and that Proctor has lied about his affair – the irony!! 3

Danforth Act To who? Relevance You will confess yourself 3 or you will hang! Do you confess this power! Speak! Will you speak! Will you confess yourself 3 befouled with Hell, or do you keep that black allegiance yet? Abigail Fueling the hysteria and the panic which ensures she will not admit to lying. Proctor Powerful religious language to create intensity and fear in everyone not just Proctor. You misunderstand, sir, I 4 cannot pardon those when twelve are already hanged for the same crime. It is not just. Hale He is admitting that if he stops now he will look as if he has been mistaken in the other hangings so he cannot do this. Irony again as nothing about these trials has been just and this least of all. I am not empowered to trade your life for a lie 4 Proctor This is exactly what he has been doing all along and is not aware of it. It is the same is it not? If 4 I report it or you sign to it? Do you mean to deny this confession when you are free? Proctor Does not see the significance of Proctor’s demand not to sign his name – that Proctor does not want any evidence of his betrayal of his family and values that he, Proctor, holds dear. Hang them high over the 4 town! Who weeps for these weeps for corruption! To all those present Fueling the hysteria at the end of the Act and the play.

Mrs Putnam and other community Act Who to who? Relevance You think it God’s work you should never lose a child…and I bury all but one? There are wheels within wheels in this village and fires within fires 1 Mrs P to Rebecca Hysteria Shows the revenge and the need for people to blame others for their misfortune as they could not blame God Visual image – crucible/fires within fires It is a providence, the thing is out now! It is a providence! 1 Mr Putnam to Parris Fueling the hysteria in the village from the start.