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"Nurse, though our hearts break, we cannot flinch; these are new times, sir. There is a misty plot afoot so subtle we should be criminal to cling to old respects and ancient friendships. I have seen too many frightful proofs in court - the Devil is alive in Salem, and we dare not quail to follow wherever the accusing finger points!"(71)

In this quote, Hale is telling Proctor and the others present in the scene that they live in troubled times. Clearly, this is the case in their society at the time. Close friends were constantly being dragged off with accusations of being a witch and such things which are unable to be proven. Also, Hale asserts his belief in witchcraft at this time, saying that everyone must follow where accusations are directed. This is unusual that Hale would speak as if this were almost a normal situation, and possibly at a later time, this idea with come back to bite him. Perhaps his belief in the Devil's presence in Salem will lead him to turn in his own friends, as he stated that long-term friendships were "criminal."

How might Hale turn in should this be the case?

"I'll tell you what's walking Salem - vengeance is walking Salem."(77)

As it seems, there is at least one character who is not a fool of sorts. Proctor is saying in this quote that witchcraft is all a farce, once again. He makes the point that it is concerned with grudges between people developing callously and resulting in one person turning in the other. With that, it is implied that the witchcraft trials are not the work of the devil, it is merely ill sentiments gone wild. Perhaps this idea leaking could result in a widespread realization that there is no real work of the devil present, but merely just trifling amongst the people of Salem. If this idea is adopted by the others, perhaps it is their reasoning that could potentially end these cases of witchcraft for once and for all.

Why might this idea not catch on?

To Page 67

"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?

Character List

Reverend Parris - a priest, holy, cares for his daughter Betty, against the devil

Betty Parris - sickly, danced in the woods with some other girls, accuses many others of witchcraft, suspected to contain a demon within

Tituba - Parris's slave, from Barbados, fearful of witchcraft and what it could do to her, willing to tell lies to back herself up, she likely did not see anyone with the devil, danced in the woods with some other girls

Abigail - danced in the woods with some other girls, likes John Proctor, accuses Tituba and many others of witchcraft, protective of her identity

Susanna - nervous, a messenger for the doctor caring for Betty

Mercy - the Putnams' servant, danced in the woods with some other girls

Ms. Putnam- against witchcraft, thinks that Betty might be a witch

Putnam - a well-to-do landowner, well known, solemn, against witchcraft

Rebecca Nurse - a nurse caring for Betty, elderly,

Mary Warren - lonely, afraid of being accused of being a witch, merely watched the others dance in the woods, thinks that they should tell the truth about the situation

John Proctor - a farmer with a strong character, had an affair with Abigail and now dislikes her, critical of Parris's ways

Giles Corey - elderly, inquisitive, believes in witchcraft, has money on his mind

Reverend Hale - serious about his work, scientific-minded, accusing, believes in witchcraft

Even more Crucible Quotes and Stuff

"It discomfits me! Last night - mark this - I tried and tried and could not say my prayers. And then she close her book and walks out of the house, and suddenly - mark this - I could pray again!" (40)

This quote is important since it shows how suspicious people were at the time of witchcraft. Reading books is an ordinary activity, yet, Giles seems to disagree. Though she read night, there is nothing wrong with that. Some people fall asleep easier by reading. The part that may have caused suspicion was when his wife would not tell what the books were about. He is probably afraid that such books are concerned with witchcraft. This makes a statement on how much he cares about his wife, since talking about these kinds of things may raise suspicions towards her.

What would be considered a sign of witchcraft at the time?

"I saw George Jacobs with the Devil! I saw Goody Howe with the Devil!"
"She speaks! She speaks!" (48)

This quote is important since Parris’s daughter, Betty, appeared to be sickly. Hale tried to get her to say a word, but she would not budge. Yet, when his debate with Tituba reached a point where they began to accuse others of witchcraft, Betty was rather quick to arise and ecstatically accuse her rivals. This is unusual, since Betty seemed really out of it, until accusations of witchcraft came up. That seemed to be the remedy for all her problems, which is rather strange. This shows not only how “sick” she may have been, but also how much she cares about these other people, by mentioning them when speaking of things that may result in a death sentence.

Is Betty really sick?

More Crucible Quotes and Stuff

"She is blackening my name in the village! She is telling lies about me! She is a cold, sniveling woman, and you bend to her! Let her turn you like a -
"Do you look for whippin'?" (23-24)

This quote is important since in it, John Proctor is talking to his wife Abigail. In this dialogs, we learn that Abigail has a rival named Elizabeth, who is not speaking well of Abigail and associates well with Proctor. At the time, bad reports of a certain person could lead people to think them as a witch and then execute them. The last line shows Proctor defending Elizabeth, which may be an indication that he might turn on Abigail if led too far astray.

Judging by this, who might a person in Salem at this time turn in as a witch?

"I have trouble enough without I come five mile to hear him preach only hellfire and bloody damnation. Take it to heart, Mr. Parris. There are many others who stay away from church these days because you hardly ever mention God any more." (28-29)

This quote is important since it shows that the church of the time has come to mention God less and less. At the time, people were going around, accusing each other of being witches and for evil things as a whole. At church, which is God's alleged house, the priest typically talks about God's goodness. The failure of the church to make God's goodness openly expressed in mass could have perhaps channeled all the coarse feelings that the people of Salem felt at the time.

How might the failure to mention God in a regular mass affect the meaning of it?

Quotes and Questions

1.) "She ails as she must - she never waked this morning, but her eyes open and she walks, and hears naught, sees naught, and cannot eat. Her soul is taken, surely." (13)
- Ruth seems to be acting differently as mentioned here.
- The only influence Parris and Mrs. Putnam could think of was that of witchcraft.

Why did they just assume that Ruth may be a witch?

2.) "I'll lead them in a psalm, but let you say nothing of witchcraft yet. I will not discuss it. The cause is yet unknown. I have had enough contention since I came; I want no more." (17)
- The people of the parish wanted to pray.
- Parris said not to mention a word about witchcraft among any of them.

What might happen if they leak any word that someone may be a witch?

Monday Feces

Parris - holy, suspicious,  afraid, serious, Puritan

"He believed he was being persecuted wherever he went, despite his best efforts to win people and God to his side." (3)

Tituba - a slave, frightened

"...she is also very frightened because her slave sense has warned her that, as always, trouble in this house eventually lands on her back." (8)

There are a few features of the plot that I feel will dictate this play.  First of all, this play is set at the times of the Salem witch trials.  That will likely determine the people's language, the setting, and the events occurring throughout the play.  The characters will probably be very holy sounding, trying to accuse their rivals of being witches, and such accusations might even kill off a few of the main characters.

Also, the historical accuracy will add even more depth to the plot.  The characters are supposedly real, and for the most part, they have remained the same as they were described throughout history.  The book states that the fates of each character are as they were in real time.  In a sense, that could add more to the understanding of this play.