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"That she - she sometimes made a compact with Lucifer, and wrote her name in his black book - with her blood - and bound herself to torment Christians till God's thrown down - and we all must worship hell forevermore." (56-57)

This quote comes in when Mary Warren, Elizabeth, and Proctor are discussing those who have been recently accused of witchcraft. This quote discussed the story that Sarah Good told that spared her the death sentence. She claims to have met with the devil and vowed to weaken Christendom. This is important since it shows how dire the situation was at the time. Witchcraft must have been a very serious crime if those accused were forced to tell such outrageous stories just to possibly save themselves. For one, the devil does not really exist. Also, she is being accused for something that no one could have witnessed, and chances are it was made up by a fellow rival. It comes across as striking that she would have to make up such fallaciousness.

What other things might a person accused of witchcraft make up in order to save themselves?

"It may be I have been too quick to bring the man to book, but you cannot think we ever desired the destruction of religion. I think that's in your mind, is it not?" (66)

This quote comes in when Reverend Hale visits the Proctors. He says that Elizabeth's name was mentioned during a witchcraft trial, and came over to investigate the issue. In drawing up conclusions about witchcraft, Hale was quite liberal. He looked anywhere, inquiring of the absence of the Proctors at mass to why one of their sons was not baptized to is Elizabeth knew the Commandments. Again, this is strange, since Hale seemed to be accusing them from only the most trivial sources. If a person does not go to church, that does not mean that they are against the church or anything. Sometimes, it is a personal choice to not go. maybe one sees church as boring or someone is sick and cannot attend. Also, The Proctors do not have to baptize their sons to remain as Catholics. As long as they live wholesome lives, they do not exactly have to baptize their sons that way. Lastly, it was quite petty of Hale to ask Elizabeth if she knew her Commandments. There was little purpose in the act, and if she did not know them, she was not exactly a witch. As long as she lived a good life, her lack of knowledge in that area may be compensated for.

What other such things may have arisen suspicion of witchcraft?