Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Incorporating Quotations.
Look back at the quotations you have collected from The Crucible and
choose a quotation that you think is particularly meaningful or
significant. In your post, explain the quote and explain why you think
it is so important or interesting. Also, try to incorporate the quote
(and maybe other quotes) into your post by using the techniques we
talked about in class for weaving quotations into your writing. The due
date will be Friday, October 10th. Thanks, Mr. Telles.
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The following quote is found on page , and is spoken by Abigail.
ReplyDelete“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 in his book; I go back to Jesus; I kiss His hand. I saw Sarah Good with the Devil! I saw Goody Osburn with the Devil! I saw Bridget Bishop with the Devil!”
This quote is significant because it is a turning point for the story. Abigail, as we know, got caught dancing in the forest in the middle of the night by her uncle, Reverand Parris of Salem. While at first we do not know exactly what context such dancing falls in, we can conclude that dancing in such manner is an illegal and suspicious form of calisthenics. After Tituba, the black slave from Barbados, confesses to summoning the Devil, Abigail knows she needs to act fast to avoid being whipped or worse and she sees ‘confessing’ as a way out.
After Abigail has confessed and is in the clear, she does not stop. It is clear that she is an intelligent, yet delusional girl and it is my belief that she sensed power in accusation, which is what happened. Perhaps she was trying to shift the shame from herself onto others aswell. Whatever the case, she started to accuse other innocent women of being witches. Amongst the hysteria is the mayhem and The Crucible is a play that represents the human nature of scape goating. And if Abigail hadn’t starting naming names, then everyone could have had their happy endings.
One of the main conflicts in “The Crucible” is the struggle for power in the town of Salem. Abigail learns early on in the play how to use fear to manipulate the townspeople in order to get what she wants. There are many quotes that demonstrate Abigail’s use of threats to obtain power, but one of the more powerful ones can be found on page twenty. While talking to the other girls found dancing in the woods Abigail says, "I will bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder you. And you know I can do it; I saw Indians smash my dear parents' heads on the pillow next to mine, and I have seen some reddish work done at night, and I can make you wish you had never seen the sun go down!" (Miller 20). Not only does this quote show the fear that Abigail instills upon the townspeople, it also gives insight into why Abigail has become such a cold hearted person.
ReplyDeleteIn the quote from page twenty the reader learns that Abigail watched her parents’ brutal murders. The reader also knows that Abigail has fallen in love with Proctor, a man who is unwilling to leave his wife and believes that the affair was a mistake. It is clear that Abigail has lost much of what she cares about in life. By losing so much one can infer that Abigail wants to be in control of her own life for once. Instead watching things happen around her she wants to be the ring leader. Abigail chooses to gain the control she desires through threats and fear. Throughout the class discussions about the play it was brought up how Abigail made up the witch hunt in order to get rid of her enemies, but it is possible that Abigail was facing bigger problems than the people in Salem. Abigail was battling the haunting memories of losing the people she cared about most. All she truly wanted was a sense of control, a sense of being needed. But how can a simple servant fulfill those desires? The only way for Abigail to get what she wanted was to lie and create panic in the town. Because of the the demons that plagued Abigail in her mind she was able to create external demons in the town of Salem.
“ How may we blame ourselves I am one of 9 sons the Putnam seed have peopled this province and yet I have one out of eight children left”(Putnam 28).
ReplyDeleteThis quote is very significant in many ways but the most important reason is that Putnam is showing major hysteria during this scene he is automatically referring to the death of his seven children is a product of witchcraft. During the plot of The Crucible the town of Salem has many conflicts with each other and issues period. When that person has a problem they automatically lead onto witchcraft and they often use a scapegoat for there problems usually a person they do not like or currently have an issue with. I thought this quote was a strong example because Putnam thinks that a witch murdered his seven kids.
In The Crucible often all characters crack under pressure and blame other people when attention is brought upon them. Well this lead to many innocent deaths because people would often do the same thing to others. The Crucible represents being a coward and using a scapegoat at its finest.
In the book The Crucible by Arthur Miller, an important quote was in Act 1 page 44 when Tituba is being accused of witchcraft. At first she tried to prove that she was not a witch and prove her innocence, but when they gave her the ultimatum of either her confession or her life, she instantly changed her story saying “no, no don't hang Tituba! I tell him I didn't desire to work for him, sir.” This quote is key to the story because its the beginning of the “witch hunt” and the accusations throughout the town. My theory is that when Tituba “confessed”, Abigail realized that when their life is on the line, people would confess to something that was not true and thats when she stated using witchcraft for her personal gain. The quote also symbolizes the lack of truth that is being spread throughout the town and the imprisonment of the innocent. Tituba was the first person that Abigail used as a scapegoat and the quote showed how she buckled under the pressure that was put on when she was accused. Tituba’s quote represented the many other false confessions that were given throughout the story.
ReplyDeleteIn The Crucible, there were countless scenes where people were forced to lie or attack others to relieve themselves from the pressure created within the village. One scene in particular that shows how the people react under pressure is brought up on page 44. Paris tries to scare Tituba into confessing to witchcraft by saying “You will confess yourself or I will take you out and whip you to your death, Tituba!” As a result of this threat, Tituba lies to save her life by responding “No, no, don’t hang Tituba! I tell him I don’t desire to work for him, sir.” Tituba untruthfully confesses to being associated with the devil to protect herself. This part is meaningful to the play because it shows how much people are willing to lie, to save their life. By confessing to Paris and Hale, Tituba destroyed what little reputation she had in the village and replaced it with something that wasn’t the truth. Under the pressure to secure her life, Tituba was forced to claim a connection with the Devil and take the blame for the things that Abigail and the girls did in the forest. This scene also demonstrates how people, like Abigail, are willing to pin things on others to protect their social statuses and themselves. This point is significant to the play because in almost every scene, the idea of blaming people to get the things you want is brought up. No one in the village wants to take responsibility for their actions, so they’re left to fight for themselves against the others in the town. The constant game of lying under the pressure created with the village controls many of the scenes in The Crucible.
ReplyDeleteThroughout the play of “The Crucibles”, there were many lies told by the characters. One significant lie told by one of the characters in the play was Abigail. On page forty, Act I, Abigail cries “I never sold myself! I'm a good girl! I'm a proper girl!” This quote made by Abigail shows strong significance because the quote shows a great example of irony. By looking outside of the box, and not leading to the main theme of the book of witchcraft, it is very clear that Abigail truly did “sell herself”. Abigail sold herself to John Proctor, as they had a sexual affair. Abigail also knew Proctor had a wife, which makes matters worse. As a result, Abigail’s actions really prove that the she is in fact, not a good girl nor a proper girl. Proper and good girls do not commit adultery, even at a young age like Abigail’s. I also admire this quote because it states that she indirectly lies about her witchcraft participation. Abigail clearly participated in witchcraft actions which were done in the the first part of the book, but seeks to avoid prosecution so she decides to lie. To sum it up, many characters in the play “The Crucibles” written by Arthur Miller, lie about numerous of things directly and even indirectly, as Abigail did on page forty of Act I. Abigail's lies and statements really contradicts and opposes herself as what she thinks of herself of being a “good” and “proper” girl. Matter of fact, Abigail should be portrayed as “crazy” or “insane” instead.
ReplyDeleteThroughout “The Crucible” several innocent people are convicted of witchcraft, simply because Abigail is a vindictive, power hungry, liar. In act two, Elizabeth Proctor is arrested for practicing voodoo on Abigail’s spirit. In reality though, it was Abigail who had found an opportunity and taken it. She went to such an extreme as to stab herself, just because she wanted to be with John Proctor and get revenge on Elizabeth for firing her. He is an intuitive man though and realizes that not all of these people could be worshipping the devil. On page 77 he says, “Why do you never wonder if Parris be innocent, or Abigail? Is the accuser always holy now?” His next proclamation is of the utmost significance, “ now the crazy little children are dangling the keys of the kingdom, and common vengeance writes the law.” John Proctor “hits the nail on the head” as one might say. He seems to be the only character that realizes Abigail and the other young women of the town have reached an extreme unusual level of power. No one thinks to question their truthfulness simply because of their overwhelming amount of power. However, as mentioned before, a person will only place accusation on another in the wrath of his or her own guilt. This means John is beginning to realize that maybe if he had not cheated on his wife, the witchcraft hysteria would not be happening. He attempts to accuse Abigail of lying but then realizes if he does, that he too will be convicted for adultery. Later in the play, when he finally decides to confess his sins, it’s a bit too late and then he must resort to accusing others. This play clearly exhibits that power vested in the wrong hands can go downhill very quickly.
ReplyDeleteThroughout the book, "The Crucible" by Arthur Miller, there were many people blaming each other for all different types of witchcraft. Cheever states, "Why, Abigail Williams charged her" when Proctor asked who had charged Elizabeth who blamed her for witchcraft. I feel like this is a significant quote because Abigail Williams had put the blame on her because she wants her to get out of the way of her and John. John and Abigail had an affair before the book began and it seems to me that Abigail hasn't gotten over him. Abigail has used the puppet and the needle to get Elizabeth Proctor in jail for witchcraft. There were also many other people who were blamed for witchcraft because Abigail didn't want to take the fault. This quote explains that Abigail has framed Elizabeth Proctor with witchcraft. In my opinion Abigail was the root to most of the mayhem that went on in Salem.
ReplyDeleteOne quote from The Crucible that stood out to me was one by Abigail in the first act. " I look for John Proctor that took me from my sleep and put knowledge in my heart." This quote clued into the previous affair between her and John that is not covered in the book. This also shows that Abigail has a reason to have it out for Elizabeth. This explains some conflict between the proctors and Abigail. Abigail is clearly holding on to what she had with John Proctor. based on this quote, you can tell that john does not want anything to do with Abigail anymore. Abigail desires john proctor, leading her to have it out for his wife. Without this quote, we probably wouldn't know about the affair because it took place before the book starts. It's also interesting to me that there is no proof that these people even met in real life. John was Abigail's first love. This quote is one of my favorites and is one of the most memorable to me because it uncovers a lot of myteries and clues that have to do with some conflicts in the story.
ReplyDeleteIn Act III, John Proctor confesses to the court about his affair with Abigail Williams while trying to explain to the court that she is a liar and a fraud. Proctor says,
ReplyDelete“A man may think God sleeps, but God sees everything, I know it now. I beg you, sir, I beg you—see her what she is. My wife, my dear good wife, took this girl soon after, sir, and put her out on the highroad—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. I know you must see it now.” (Miller, 110).
This quote is extremely important because Proctor tells the courtroom the truth. However he was to late at his attempt to be honest because soon after his confession, Danforth called out Goody Proctor to the courtroom to question her about the affair. She lied to save John Proctor when he had already been honest to the court. This scene ruins the court and he is accused of witchcraft and he brings everyone down with him.
One of the major conflicts in the crucible was the arrogance and malleability of the court. this quote was said by deputy governor Danforth in act III at the beginning of the trial and persecution of the innocent townspeople.
ReplyDeleteYou must understand, sir, that a person is either with this court or he must be counted against it, there be no road between. This is a sharp time, now, a precise time—we live no longer in the dusky afternoon when evil mixed itself with good and befuddled the world. Now, by God’s grace, the shining sun is up, and them that fear not light will surely praise it.
Deputy Governor Danforth is somewhat of a fanatic in act III. Danforth believes the lies that other people have been feeding him in the first two acts. This quote starts off the hectic third act of the crucible. The courts who are conducting the witch trials are using a theocratic system of government like the rest of Massachusetts at the time. Since the court is theocratic, anyone who are opposed to any of the ideas of the church is considered against the word of God causing them to have a reputation for association with the enemy of God, better known as the devil. The quote shows the black and white view that the court has to the "witchcraft" occurring in Salem.
"You must understand, sir, that a person is either with this court or he must be counted against it, there be no road between."
The initial piece of the quote shows just how sharp they are being with their decisions. Even the smallest bit of information the community gets it's hand on explodes into a storm of accusations spiraling around the town as people dodge charges of dancing with the devil, and play the blame game by naming other townspeople and shielding themselves by burying the court with accusations of others who have participated in witchcraft in the past. Which eventually leads to the death of numerous people in the community. Starting from lies and arrogance of the court a slight incident with a few little girls spins out of control ruining the livelihood of many of the families in the town
On page 41, Reverend Parris thinks out loud that it is absurd that the devil would be in his house and this quote marks a turning point in the book. This turning point is such that everyones opinions towards witches changes and reflects what the society is making the characters think of witchcraft. "How can it be the Devil? Why would he choose my house to strike? We have all manner of licentious people in the village!" Parris, who at the beginning of the book stated that he was "certain there is no element of witchcraft here." is now questioning witchcraft and is being led to believe it by a teenage girl with whom he barely trusted at the beginning because of her 'dancing' in the woods. The quote that I chose for Reverend Parris represents how easily the people in the town can be persuaded against something that was their original judgement. In this quote, Parris is led to question something that he believes isn't true and is later does actually believe, or at least acts that witchcraft is true.
ReplyDeleteDespite all the quotes we mentioned in class, the quote I chose was,
ReplyDelete"Is the accuser always holy now? Were they born this morning as clean as God's fingers? I'll tell you what's walking Salem-vengeance is walking Salem."
I chose this quote because the Crucible is based on false accusations and people who are trying to get revenge on others. This quote is saying that the people that are snitching on other innocent people are not always as clean as you would expect them to be. People do filthy things to keep their hands clean. Abigail is the biggest contributor to the hanging pot. She is quick to jeopardize Tituba and Elizabeth Warren, and even her previous "lover" John Proctor. The accusations led to long trials, and if one did not confess they were to be hanged.