To Page 144

"The victim was forever on the rack; it needed only to know the spring that controlled the engine; and the physician knew it well!"(127)

This quote symbolizes Dimmesdale's means for salvation. It is clear to the reader that Dimmesdale had committed a sin that was very much against his vocation, and would have serious consequences if discovered. At the moment, only Chillingworth has any thought that Dimmesdale might be the adulterer. Known for being relentless, Chillingworth is likely to never give Dimmesdale a break until he lets the truth out. In that case, salvation is represented, in how Dimmesdale could further lie his way out if he chose to, which would bring yet another mark up against him. In that way, Dimmesdale could save his person, but not his soul. Either that, or he would tell the truth, which would redeem him of his sin, but would not save himself from the long road of ridicule ahead. The name of the chapter this quote comes in is called the interior of a heart, and it is up to Dimmesdale to decide whether he loves himself or God the most.

Which path will Dimmesdale choose?

"A pure hand needs no glove to cover it!"(143)

This quote comes in towards the end of the twelfth chapter. At this point, a sexton finds a glove on the scaffold where Hester stood, which belonged to Dimmesdale. He brought the glove to Dimmesdale, and cited the following quote. At this point, when Chillingworth had found him, he had no choice but to admit his sin. The sexton discovered this sin, and decided to make it know to Dimmesdale that he was caught. He claimed that only the devil would have a need to be on the scaffold, and that if Dimmesdale were as pure as a priest should be, he had no reason to hide his purity with a glove. This quote references Dimmesdale's salvation. It alludes to the two paths he could take, as referenced in the previous quote. Yet, Danforth seems to be denying himself in a way, as he reacted fearfully in Chillingworth's presence, rather than willing to repent, and he denies his act the the sexton when he says, "'No,' answered the minister, 'I had not heard of it'"(144).

What might become of Dimmesdale?

To Page 126

"In Arthur Dimmesdale, thought and imagination were were so active , and sensibility so intense, that the bodily infirmity would be likely to have its groundwork there. So Roger Chillingworth - the man of skill, the kind and friendly physician, - strove to go deep into his patient's bosom, delving among his principles, prying into his recollections, and probing everything with a cautious touch, like a treasure-seeker in a dark cavern."(113)

This quote discreetly describes the relationship between Dimmesdale and Chillingworth. They are good friends and reverends. Yet, one of them is young and the other elderly. This quote relates to salvation in how both Chillingworth and Dimmesdale see their occupations as reverends as their means to salvation, as they are living their lives very closely to God in that way, and are also helping to spread the Kingdom of God with their teachings. At the time, being a priest must have been honorable, and must have gained a person much status. As the reading continues on, it becomes apparent through quirky reactions towards Hester's situation, that Hester's child may also be Dimmesdale's child. Dimmesdale and Chillingworth are similar to each other by occupation and ethical views, but are very much different in their destiny. Chillingworth was to be a sapient, old priest, yet, Dimmesdale was to have a child with Hester, which went against his occupation. More differences between the two also allude to the theme of society's effect on a person. For example, Dimmesdale decided not to announce that Pearl was his child, since he would be forced from his position and would be ridiculed harshly for it.

How might differences between Dimmesdale and Chillingworth lead to either character's downfall?

" A bodily disease, which we look upon as whole and entire within itself, may, after all, be but a symptom of some ailment in the spiritual part."(124)

This quote comes in after a part in which Pearl is hooking burrs onto Hester's "A" badge, and sees Chillingworth and Dimmesdale. Before that happened, Chillingworth and Dimmesdale were having a discussion about hiding one's sin, to Dimmesdale's dismay. Chillingworth reacts to seeing Hester by saying that she wears her sin on her breast. Dimmesdale then seems to take on a defensive stance, and Chillingworth begins to examine him relentlessly. After a bit, Dimmesdale leaves the room, which augments Chillingworth's suspicion. This quote relates to the nature of evil. This is because it gives insight into how sins tend to hide themselves within one's conscious. In Puritan society, confessing certain sins could have major repercussions, so for sins much like Dimmesdale's, it was a better idea to keep quiet.

How might Chillingworth react if he finds about Dimmesdale's secret?

To Page 107

"But it was a remarkable attribute of this garb, and, indeed, of the child's whole appearance, that it irresistibly and inevitably reminded the beholder of the token which Hester Prynne was doomed to wear upon her bosom. It was the scarlet letter in another form; the scarlet letter endowed with life!"(93)

This quote comes in after a section where Pearl's clothes are described. "[...] arraying her in a crimson velvet tunic, of a peculiar cut, abundantly embroidered with fantasies and flourishes of gold-thread,"(92) describes more fully how Hester dressed Pearl. Upon closer examination, the "crimson velvet tunic" and "gold-thread" components should be most recognizable. It seems that Hester made Pearl's clothes like hers, crimson, and with gold thread, as on Hester's scarlet letter. This generally expresses a recurring theme of vanity, a theme concerned with Hester's pride in her sin and self. Hester sees her sin as a defining feature, and readily flaunts it in the face of society with her elaborate scarlet letter. "It had the effect of a spell, taking her out of the ordinary relations with humanity, and enclosing her in a sphere by herself,"(51) is a quote that better expresses this view. With herself isolated by her act, she feels more like she has a cause to be living for, and she sees that cause to be to care for her daughter. Knowing that she may have never another child, she sees Pearl as a priority, and dresses her similarly to herself to remind her of this purpose and how Pearl was born of Hester's coveted sin.

With vanity being one of the seven deadly sins, what might become of Hester later on?

"'Nevertheless,' said the mother, calmly, though growing more pale, 'this badge hath taught me - it daily teaches me - it is teaching me at this moment - lessons whereof my child may be the wiser and better, albeit they can profit nothing to myself.'"(101)

This quote comes in during Hester's visit to Governor Bellingham's house. Bellingham, at one point, tells Hester of some gossip he overheard. This gossip simply stated that Hester should give up Pearl, so that she may grow with the potential to go well, rather than to be led astray as Hester was. The previous quote mentioned that Pearl was one reason as to why Hester valued her life, and she objects to such a proposal. The above quote is her objection, and she simply alludes to her main goal, which is to treat Pearl well, and educate her about her sin, so that it may be avoided in the future. As it seems, society sees Pearl as a further mark of shame for Hester. On the other hand, Hester herself sees Pearl as a gift and a blessing, and sees Pearl as her only reason to be in this world.

The Puritan society being holy as it is, would authority look towards gossip and the law or towards Hester's faith, that she may create a better generation if she cares for Pearl?

To Page 91

"It had been built by an earlier settler, and abandoned, because the soil about it was too sterile for cultivation[...] In this little, lonesome dwelling, with some slender means that she possessed, and by the license of the magistrates, who still kept an inquisitorial watch over her, Hester established herself, with her infant child."(74-75)

This quote conveys many revelations about Hester's life at home. She chose to settle away from society, as one can see. This relates to the theme of society's effect on the individual, since if Hester lived in a settled area, she and her child would face more ridicule than if she settled away from civilization. Also, the land at the site was barren. This is almost symbolic of Hester's act, since her act of adultery would almost seem to render her so. With such a glaring sin, no other men would want to associate with her in any way. That is the meaning behind this quote.

What might be a problem with living away from society?

"[...] poor little Pearl was a demon offspring; such as, ever since old Catholic times, had occasionally been seen on earth, through the agency of their mother's sin, and to promote some foul and wicked purpose."(90)

This quote gives insight on the plight of Hester's daughter. From the start, Pearl was a forsaken child. Being born by sinful means, that is how that would be true. This quote portrays the theme of the nature of evil, since society sees evil, in Pearl's case, as eminent through Hester's act. Pearl may have been born of sinful means, yet, society has no right to assume that she herself would be that way. Considering the time in which the story is set, these would be reasonable explanations for this issue.

What might Pearl's later life be like if this stigma sticks?

To Page 72

"I pray you, good Sir," said he, "who is this woman? - and wherefore is she here set up to public shame?"(57)

This quote is said by Hester's husband. He is merely inquiring of a stranger who Hester really was, yet, all along, he knew Hester more than everyone else did. His naivety relates to the theme of society's effect on the individual, as Hester's husband had to deny knowing her in order to maintain a level of secrecy about him. If anything, he should have been admitting that he was Hester's husband, as he was equally responsible for Hester's action by letting her alone for too long. Yet, there would be major repercussions for doing such an act in a Puritan society, as they will probably treat him with more scorn for being so secretive about such a boiling social woe. Also, admitting that he was Hester's husband would lead to her death, since the government would see that there was someone out there to care for her child.

Why should Hester's husband not have to bear his own sin?

"Never!" Replied Hester Prynne, looking, not at Mr. Wilson, but into the deep and troubled eyes of the younger clergyman. "It is too deeply branded. Ye cannot take it off. And would that I might endure his agony, as well as mine!"(64)

This quote also relates to the theme of society's effect on the individual. This quote comes in after someone in the crowd watching Hester tells her to find a father for her baby. Hester is quick to say never, since on the inside, she loves the one with which she had created her child, and could not imagine her child in someone else's care, not even in her husband's. Yet, the dilemma there is that if she were to reveal that the baby had a father figure already, this would only excite popular interest in finding our who this "mystery man" really is. If when she saw her husband, she suddenly blurted out that she saw him, the public would see him as a fitting caretaker for the child and would kill Hester as a result. Also, she literally says that her baby is a symbol of her sin, almost proudly. Hester bears her sin with pride, as can be seen with the elaborate "A" seal she wears, and only wants to share it with her counterpart in the act and put no one else through the agony of this sin.

Why might it not be a bad idea to announce that the baby has a potential caretaker?

To Page 56

"Finding it so directly on the threshold of our narrative, which is now about to issue from that inauspicious portal, we could hardly do otherwise than pluck one of its flowers, and present it to the reader."(46)

This quote may describe the purpose of the book. The reason for this connects to the theme of salvation that seems to be prominent throughout the book. Being a strict Puritanical society, the people of the time were likely to be worried about where they would be heading after death. At the time in which the book takes place, Puritan officials claimed that Salvation was determined through the leading of a holy life. Before this quote, the historical figure known as Anne Hutchinson was mentioned, as she stayed in a jail cell described before this quote as well. She preached that holiness did not guarantee salvation, and that salvation was subject to God's grace. During this period of time, this was high heresy. Also, there was a rose bush outside the jail cell. It had seen many an arrest, and briefly symbolizes the purpose of the novel. In giving the reader a rose from the bush, that is simply described as the act of sharing the story of the tough Puritanical society.

Why would the author directly address the reader like that?

"This woman has brought shame upon us all, and ought to die. Is there not law for it? Truly there is, both in the Scripture and the statute-book. Then let the magistrates, who have made it of no effect, thank themselves if their own wives and daughters go astray!"(49)

This quote is connecting two themes, that of the effects of sin and the nature of evil. Hester committed adultery, a highly frowned upon sin. This quote comes in a part where a few women are gossiping about Hester's sin. Apparently, Hester's sin, which those women had not committed, seemed to affect them greatly. This is because they are saying that if Hester is an adulterer, she does not belong within their pure and holy Puritanical society. This also relates to the theme of the nature of evil. The women gossiping clearly see themselves as holy, and they wish to do away with sinners and their respective sins as they come along. Hester committed an evil within the eyes of God, yet, her sin is not as malicious as that of the women gossiping. In the first place, gossip is considered to be wrong, even in the Bible. Also, they are wishing death upon Hester for a sin that effectually did not really influence them, unless they look at the larger picture of their society. Murder is one of the worst possible sins, and they are clearly at fault to talk about Hester's sins when they have such impure thoughts within their own minds.

Are the women speaking in this part really that holy after all?

The Down in Fall

Abigail Williams should have hung in the gallows, with her body’s weight pulling down on her neck. Such a gruesome punishment would be lacking of force, because of the deliberate and vindictive acts she commits. The play starts off with Abigail being a rather trustworthy character. After one lie in the beginning of the play, Abigail continues to tell even more lies in order to defend previous claims as the plot progresses. With each lie, Abigail only becomes more deceitful. Abigail was feeding the fire that would eventually engulf her when it got too wild and out of control. Abigail’s downfall was made possible because of her negative use of ethos, her manipulation of the truth, and lastly through her deliberate use of others.

Abigail is a master at wielding ethos as a weapon with which to subdue her victims. Throughout the events of the play, Abigail used ethos to invoke sympathy from the other characters and more importantly from the courts. One instance where Abigail utilizes ethos is when she says: “I have been near to murdered every day because I done my duty pointing out the Devil’s people – and this is my reward?” (Miller 108) Abigail is attempting to satisfy one purpose with that; to gain the support of the court system. Abigail was known by the court in Salem for diligently searching out witches, and she seeks to live out that reputation, even when she herself is being accused by the court. She simply says that she should not have to suffer any accusations, since she is making the finding of witches easy for the court with her high turn-in rate.

One instance where Abigail uses ethos as a weapon is when she says: “And mark this. 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”(20). Abigail is attempting to assert her power in that statement. When Mary Warren and a few other girls propose the idea of confessing their act of dancing in the woods, Abigail lashes out violently when they say that they would be whipped for their crime rather than killed. She scares them from mentioning their acts with this statement, where she follows by recounting the death of her parents and how she could make her own friends suffer a similar fate. What was even more surprising was how she seemed surprised when Mary Warren said that they would get whipped. Abigail cynically repeated it, saying she was not the one getting whipped, almost as a foreshadowing of what she had in store for Mary. That shows more of who Abigail really is, an insidious character who abuses and manipulates others for her own purposes.

Abigail would have been the first to die of witchcraft if she had told the truth since the beginning. As stated in the Bible, humans are created with the intention of choosing to do well. After all, God created them in his own image, and “God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good”(Genesis 1:31). However, God also created humans with free will, where they could freely choose to not do God’s will. In the beginning, Abigail is being interrogated about the dancing in the woods as observed by Reverend Parris. Abigail’s first lie comes in at this time, and is directed towards Tituba. Abigail does not even consider that dancing in the woods or drinking blood may be a part of Tituba’s culture, or perhaps it would not be seen as a negative ritual in Barbados. Instead, she freely reverts to a lie, saying that Tituba made her drink the blood. The reasoning for that must have simply been that being accused of being a witch only leads to death, which is something that tends to be avoided, even if she has to wrongfully doom others to it. Unfortunately, Tituba was present at the dancing in the woods and happened to be at Abigail’s disposal because of that. It is inevitable that Abigail’s lies are one-sided, as many other institutions of the devil are, such as the seven deadly sins.

Abigail’s initial lie eventually becomes a habit she uses to bring her rivals down. Abigail has two main objectives in the play: to simply stay alive, and to acquire the affection of John Proctor. Abigail sees lying as the only way to go about this. She has far too many rivals, and somehow needs to get rid of them, before they get rid of her. Abigail’s infamous lies were like a disease, because other characters were fooled so easily by them. Part of this relates to her established ethos, which allowed her to charm her way into seeming trustworthy. By getting the good side of the authorities, she had their ear when it came time to accuse others of being witches. She takes advantage of this, and tells further lies when necessary.

Another tactic Abigail used was equivocation. Equivocation is the telling of the truth, but so as to mislead, making it a lie at the same time. Mary Warren gives a doll to Elizabeth Proctor at one time. Unfortunately, this small act of kindness dragged on to be the seeming downfall of both characters. Of course, Abigail had a part in this minute twist of fate. Abigail saw Mary stick a needle into the doll. Then Abigail put on a few antics at the Parris house where she pierced herself with a needle, claiming that Elizabeth’s spirit had stabbed her. Unfortunately, such trivial evidence was enough to arrest Elizabeth, thus leaving John Proctor available for the taking. Through that, Abigail was ultimately able to achieve one of the two goals she set out to achieve.

The most insidious of tactics wielded by Abigail was her deliberate use of others. As already mentioned, Abigail had two main objectives: to remain alive, and to win the affection of John Proctor. Yet, Abigail has too many rivals getting in the way of such plans. What she decides to do is to use them as they are available, attributing false crimes to them simply to get them out of her way. With the authorities under the influence of her charm, and hence accepting her every falsehood, Abigail had no problem with moving others out of the way, even if by force.

Among Abigail’s two goals is the captivation of John Proctor’s ardor. At a time in the past, however, Proctor once gave in to temptation and had an affair with Abigail. He could not have made a worse decision, as that affair that sparked Abigail’s lust for him. After a trail of lies begun by Abigail reaches Proctor, he is the one who is condemned to die in the end, and willingly accepts to die as a martyr of his morals. He said at one point, “She thinks to dance with me on my wife's grave! And well she might, for I thought of her softly. God help me, I lusted, and there is a promise in such sweat. But it is a whore's vengeance, and you must see it; I set myself entirely in your hands” (110). He thinks nothing more than to die simply to escape the misery that Abigail would inflict upon him should he live. Usually, it is not perceived as a positive attribute if a person has this kind of affect on others. The irony with this situation is also that Abigail wished to reunite with Proctor, yet her lies got the better of him, and he chose to die for them in an attempt to redeem himself. Sadly, the one who suffered was the holiest character in the play, and the least deserving of that end.

Abigail is a highly distasteful character. People were created by God to do well, yet they also had free will too, which enabled people to work against God if they chose to. With that concept engraved in one’s mine, it would be reasonable to think it preferable if a person acted well, as God wished them to. Yet, through charming, lies, and the abuse of others, Abigail does not fit that description. Abigail was completely lacking in scruples, and that is why she committed those atrocities. Abigail’s downfall thus rests in her faulty morals. Apparently, the fire of evil has consumed her as a person and the wind has scattered her ashes to the other characters and audience who see her as now insidious. That is how Abigail’s derogative moral choices make her plausibility diminish and thus contribute to her fall.

Letter 3

Dear Danforth,
How have you been? Miserable, I assume. The witch trials are over, and now you have no means by which to acquire cash. The devil, well, he lurks in your shadow. How do they treat you down on earth? They know it were all a sick joke of some sort, so they must think little of you. Up here, it is much the same. My fellow angels and I cringe and cower whenever your name is heard. God created us for love, but you were empty of that emotion within your heart.
Come to think of it, how did you get involved in these trials in the first place? Were judges needed and you yourself needed the money? Maybe you had a rival you wanted to rid yourself of, and saw these trials as the perfect time to do so. Whatever the case, you have made the wrong choice. Unless you were not given a choice, yet you knew that what you were doing was wrong. On that note, why did you do it? You assailed hundreds to their death for so called crimes, when all they were doing was living life. I cannot think of anything that so emulates the work of the devil.

Whatever the case, you have no chance of making up here in heaven. God has confirmed this. If you want to find yourself up here, you will have to replace what was lost. I see you have taken to this, granting rewards to the afflicted families. You mean well, yet, God does not see it as enough. We are to serve God, not mammon. When lost, money may be replaced, but lives may not be. You have damned many a life, and when yours is over, you shall receive the likewise treatment. It is only ethical. In Hammurabi’s code of law, a primitive code that outlined the bases of all other codes and God’s law, your fate rests, as it says “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, and a life for a life.” As it seems, there is only one way to go. Those who reach heaven, live forever. Yet, from the moment you die, the maggots will feast off of your dead body and soul. With that, I leave you. Enjoy these last few years of your life, as God’s goodness will leave you afterwards.
Your victim,
John Proctor

Letter 2

Dear John,
How are things? It has been a while since we have last met. I cannot function correctly since you have gone to Our Father above. It is simply impossible. After you died, my name had become forsaken in Salem, so I fled to Boston. Yet, even there, my name is forsaken too. As it seems, the people around even these parts talk way too much. Perhaps it is because of the habit I have adopted after your death. Without you, I seem to go into a frenzy. I have been sporting with men of all kinds. It makes me a good deal of money, yet, I know better. We know better. No other man on this planet can ever be quite like you.

I also have a few questions to ask of you. The night before you died, why did you not come with me to Boston? I had no idea that Mary Warren would think to place the burden on you. Such was not my plan this whole time. If you had come with me, you would have lived. We could have had a quaint little house and family here in Boston, but you decided not to. One more question now. How is heaven? Is it quite as good as everyone makes it seem? Why do I ask this? It is because I know you must be up there, you were a good man down here.

As you can see, I have been a bad girl. I lie, I cheat, and I steal. That has been my life thus far. Those witch trials that took your life were but a farce. We all knew it. If those judges were not so naïve, you would be here, in my arms. You were a good man, dying for this cause not because you were found guilty, but because you had to prove everyone else wrong about it. Also, since you must be in heaven, I have a favor to ask of you. Please tell Our Father to have mercy on myself. I know no better than I have been doing. Oh, how I long to see you again up there, in the clouds of heaven. If only it were possible for me. Perhaps you could pay me a visit down There. I am sickly without you. If there be paper and ink up in heaven, write back to me soon. I look forward to hearing from you.
Your lover,

Abigail

Letter 1

My Dear John,
How is heaven? I still cannot believe that you became the victim of the entire witchcraft scheme. No one else can believe it either. As for me, I am well. The boys are just fine, getting bigger, stronger, and more John-like. They are very intelligent, and I see bright futures ahead of them. In case you were wondering, I have remarried. That was simply because I needed someone else to help me take care of the boys and to supply this family with a fair amount of cash. It would be too difficult alone. Know this, no other husband I will ever have could be quite as good as you.

I remember before you died, among my last few words to you was that whatever you do is as a good man does it. You have left behind quite a legacy. Often times, you come up in conversations. I went to a farmer’s market the other day, and I overheard two farmers, of whom I did not know, talking about Jesus, and then they related him to you. That is great how others almost see you as godlike, a model for their faith if you will. I know you John; you were a most faithful man, and like God on earth to me. We all know you were not guilty.We all know you were not guilty. You simply wanted to stand up for what was good and true, yet that fiend, Danforth, would not take it. Do not worry, we all know how you were, and you did all things as a good man would.

That is about all for now. It is late and I must dinner for the boys, of whom have been working diligently in our fields. I hope you rest well. After such a life devoted to your distraught wife, your children, and God, you certainly deserve a break. With the witch trials over, we all have some breathing room. Tell God and Jesus I said hello. The boys say hello too.
Your wife,
Elizabeth

P.S. I got from the government a compensation for your death. What does that mean? Rest well, for they have admitted that they were wrong the entire time. We knew you were true the entire time. We knew it, and the government has said so.