Crucible- Blame Essay

Macda Gerard
AP English 11: Mr. George
November 23, 2008
Crucible Paper


Who is most to blame for the chaos in Salem? Does a young teenage girl really have the ability to corrupt such a pious area? This once reverent and prayerful town does not seem so immaculate after Abigail Williams clandestinely places her seed of wickedness in the minds of the inhabitants. In her attempts to get revenge on Elizabeth, Abigail brings the entire town down as well. Abigail has an affair with John Proctor, accuses the innocent, and deceitfully manipulates others, thus making her most to blame for the turmoil in Salem.

Abigail developed a maniacal attachment to Proctor after their affair. Their feelings were not mutual considering the fact that Proctor consistently made efforts to push her away. Abigail, however, beginning to believe the only thing stopping her from being with Proctor was his wife Elizabeth, sought ways in which to get rid of her, such as drinking a charm. Abigail is given even more of a motive to seek revenge on Elizabeth, for Elizabeth put her out of the Proctor home. Abigail’s hypocrisy is further illustrated when she says, “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!” (24). Amazingly, her duplicity is reaching such a depth that she is forgetting the fact that she slept with John Proctor. In Abigail’s efforts to seek vengeance, she is caught practicing the ultimate type of Devil worship—witchcraft, which initiates the accusations of the innocent.

Suspicions arise and rumors of witchcraft fill the town. Abigail, along with Tituba, are found practicing witchcraft in the forest, certainly something no other accused person had ever done. When confronted, Tituba lists off names of the others that were said to be associated with the Devil and is soon joined by Abigail. Abigail’s treacherous behavior is revealed through this act in attempting to remove the blame from herself and placing it on innocent people. This creates great commotion amongst the townspeople causing many men and women to be faced with two options: either deny associating with Devil and be hanged, or confess and face a prison sentence. Regardless of what occurred, Abigail was seen as a reliable witness, and the court believed all of her lies.

Danforth, being a prominent member of the court, would in fact question Abigail; however, her dishonesty was extremely deceiving. From the beginning of the play, Abigail lied which only led to more lies. Her consistent dishonesty was never exposed, blanketing her fraudulence with reliability. Abigail was aware of this and continued to accuse people of being witches, specifically Elizabeth, so long as she was not suspected to be a witch herself. She deceitfully used this power to manipulate others and was wiling to sacrifice the innocent in order to get what she wanted.

Abigail’s perfidious nature manifests itself in her trickery of others. During the interaction between Danforth, Mary Warren, Abigail, and Proctor, Danforth becomes suspicious of Abigail and questions her only to receive a slap of guilt: “I have seen my blood runnin’ out! I have been near to murdered everyday because I done my duty pointing out the Devil’s people—and this is my reward?” (108). Abigail’s façade of innocence instills a sense of shame within Danforth causing him to feel guilty for doubting her, when he certainly has reason to. Abigail’s manipulative nature is also revealed in her interactions with Mary Warren. She exploits Mary for her own purposes and falsely persecutes her when she is no longer of use: “unperturbed, continuing to the “bird”: Oh, Mary, this is a black art to change your shape. No, I cannot, I cannot stop my mouth; it’s God’s work I do” (115). Mary Warren attempts to stand up to Abigail but realizes that with Abigail’s cunning manner, it is not possible and she must give in.

Within society, it is despicable when one gets away with deceitful and devious behavior. Throughout the play, this is the case with Abigail. Some people would claim that Proctor was most to blame because he had committed the initial deed, however, it is nothing compared to Abigail’s deceitful lies, accusations, and manipulative behavior which led to the deaths of many innocent people. It is evident that she is responsible for the turmoil and disorder in Salem through her chicanery which accumulates throughout the play, making it impossible for anyone else to be most at fault.

Crucible- HW 9 (p.128-145)

“Pray be at your ease, we come not for your life. We—uncertain how to plead, for he is not accustomed to it. Mr. Hale, will u speak with this woman? ... Will you plead for his confession or will you not? ” (131,133)- Danforth

• At last, this ignorant judge has somewhat come to his senses and attempts to mend what he is responsible for “breaking”. However, Danforth goes about this in a strange way. He is aware that he has made a terrible mistake but he is not willing to sacrifice his reputation and go back on his word. As an alternative, we see Danforth pleading for Hale and Elizabeth to convince Proctor to confess to associating with the Devil. In doing so, Danforth realizes that he will be released from the chains of his decree and will be able to let the innocent live while keeping his high ranking. Danforth always tends to make an effort to redeem himself so long as nothing taints his name.
  
  Does Danforth feel an inch of regret for what he has done?

“Would you give them such a lie? Say it. Would you ever give them this? She cannot answer. You would not; if tongs of fire were singeing you you would not! It is evil. Good, then—it is evil, and I do it!” (138)- Proctor

• In this quote, we see the magnitude of honesty amongst the Proctors. As John grapples with the decision of either lying to save his life or telling the truth only to face death, he asks Elizabeth what she would do in the situation. Elizabeth is a loss for words. It is evident that she wants John to stay alive but refuses to convince him to falsely confess. As a result of this, Proctor realizes that his wife would not lie to save herself, so his act is indeed evil.
  
  Does Elizabeth regret not convincing her husband to falsely confess?

Crucible- HW 8 (p.113-127)

“A fire, a fire is burning! I hear the boot of Lucifer, I see his filthy face! And it is my face, and yours, Danforth! For them that quail to bring men out of ignorance, as I have quailed, and as you quail now when you know in all your black hearts this be fraud—God damns our kind especially, and we will burn, we will burn together!” (120)- Proctor

• What was once a religious and reverent town has become corrupted by the word of a teenage girl. This quote reveals Proctor’s realization of this. God is no longer ruling the town, the people are. Religion and piety has vanished, leaving only wickedness and corruption. Because of Danforth’s refusal to listen to the truth, deceit and vengeance has prevailed over the virtue that Proctor had believed would set him free.
  
  Will Abigail get caught and end up being hung or will she get away with lying?

“Rebecca Nurse is no Bridget that lived three year with Bishop before she married him. John Proctor is not Isaac Ward that drank his family to ruin. I would to God it were not so, Excellency, but these people have great weight yet in the town… I would postpone these hangin’s for a time.” (127)- Parris

• This quote illustrates a great change in Parris’ stance. In the beginning, Parris came across as holy and faithful. Then, it becomes clear that Parris was guilty of using his accusatory manner in seeking vengeance to condemn Proctor: “since I come to Salem this man is blackening my name” (105). Now, Parris is attempting to save those he has accused. This quotation evokes a sense of remorse within Reverend Parris. Reasonable thinking comes into play as Parris becomes aware of how treacherous her niece can be. If Abigail was capable of stealing his money, she is certainly capable of lying. Parris attempts to present his new found rationality by informing Danforth of Rebecca and Proctor’s good qualities; however, it may be too late.
  
  Is it too late for Parris to save these falsely accused people?

Crucible- HW 7 (p.98-113)

“I have seen my blood runnin’ out! I have been near to murdered everyday because I done my duty pointing out the Devil’s people—and this is my reward? To be mistrusted, denied, questioned like a—” (108)- Abigail

• This quote epitomizes Abigail’s treacherous and deceitful nature. After Proctor and Mary Warren begin to sway Danforth onto their side revealing Abigail’s dishonesty, Abigail displays a façade of innocence. She uses reverse psychology by acting as though she has done nothing but what the court has asked of her. In questioning Danforth, Abigail is instilling a sense of shame within him causing him to feel guilty for even doubting her.
  
  Will Abigail really get away with lying?

“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.” (110)- Proctor

• This quotation could be considered as the climax of the play so far. In this confession, Proctor strives to go to any measures possible in order to save his wife; even if it means his own disgrace. Like in other instances, this quote reveals Proctor’s attitude on life. He is set on living truthfully “Do that which is good, and no harm shall come to thee” (95). He lives according to this value in hopes that honesty will save him in the end.
  
  Why does Danforth refuse to see the truth if Proctor has humbled himself and openly confessed such a horrible sin?

Crucible- HW 6 (p.83-98)

“These people should be summoned. Danforth looks up at him questioningly. For questioning.” (93)– Parris

• This quotation exemplifies Parris’ change in character. In the beginning, Reverend Parris portrayed himself as very holy and reverent. This quote shows Parris’ efforts in keeping this façade; however, his motives become clear. Throughout this interaction, Parris is constantly instigating after Proctor’s statements in attempts to condemn him. He does this in a sly manner so it is not obvious to the judges. This also relates to earlier when Proctor states that “vengeance is walking Salem” (77). Parris is acting in such way in order to get revenge on Proctor for wanting to join a party against him and criticizing his sermons on hellfire and damnation.
  
  Will Parris continue to be oblivious to the blaring signs of lies and deceit?

“My proof is there! If Jacobs hangs for a witch he forfeit up his property—that’s law! And there is none but Putnam with the coin to buy so great a piece. This man is killing his neighbors for their land!” (96)- Giles

• This bold statement by Giles accurately articulates Putnam’s motives. When first introduced to Putnam, it is explained that disputes had arisen between Nurse and Putnam in regards to land. This disagreement evolved into “the proportion of a battle” lasting two days. Having this knowledge makes one aware of the extremes Putnam would go to in order to obtain land. Putnam wants “revenge” for the land he was supposedly cheated out on, hence the false accusations he is making.
  
  Will Giles end up being successful in saving his wife?

Crucible- HW 5 (p.68-83)

“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. We are what we always were in Salem, but now the little crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom, and common vengeance writes law!” (77)- John Proctor

• In this quote, John Proctor has boldly challenged Hale’s reasoning behind the accusations of innocent women. Throughout the previous sections of the book, Hale has come across as extremely intellectual and reasonable. He seems to be trustworthy because of his knowledge gained from his books. This quickly disappears when John brings up the valid point that those pointing fingers are certainly not perfect themselves. The accusers are clearly taking their newly gained power and using it to their own advantage. Also, it is evident that John Proctor is the most rational during this chaos and is not afraid to voice his opinion.
  
  Was Hale’s visit planned considering the time of night it was and how some others had come to search the Proctor house?

“My wife will never die for me! I will bring your guts into your mouth but that goodness will not die for me” (80)- John Proctor

• This quote reflects back on John Proctor’s adulterous act. Many times before, we have seen John’s guilt and shame manifest itself through his defensive comments and arguments with Elizabeth. This quote is another type of outward display of resentment he has for having an affair. John acknowledges that he made a mistake that has led to great disorder and is certainly not willing to have Elizabeth pay for his faults. He is prepared to take drastic measures in order for that “goodness” to not be hanged for his wrongdoing.
  
  Will John Proctor tell the truth about his affair in order to spare the lives of several innocent women, including his wife?

Crucible- HW 4 (p.49-67)

“Because it speaks deceit, and I am honest! But I’ll plead no more! I see now your spirit twists around the single error of my life, and I will never tear it free!” (62)- John Proctor

• This quotation encapsulates John Proctor’s seven months of bottled anger, resentment, and shame for his sin. Throughout the argument between John and his wife, Elizabeth, he becomes extremely defensive as if she is the one to blame. He accuses her of judging him and suspecting his deceitful ways as if she had no reason to. John wants to remain faithful to his wife, but at the same time, he is fighting the feelings he has for Abigail. It is clear that John desperately strives to gain the trust and respect he once had but is quickly getting fed up with constantly having to defend himself. He yearns for Elizabeth’s forgiveness, but feels as though she will never see past his one mistake.
  
  Why does John constantly deny Elizabeth’s claim of Abigail wanting to take her place when he knows it is true and has the power to do something about it?

“Adultery, John” (67)- Elizabeth

• After being prompted to recite the Ten Commandments, John nervously attempts to list them. Ironically, he forgets the one commandment that he and Elizabeth had been arguing about. Adultery—the one broken commandment that has caused such great disorder. It has led to Abigail practicing witchcraft in attempts to get rid of Elizabeth which Parris had witnessed. As a result of this, the accusation of innocent women has arisen to take the blame off of those actually practicing witchcraft, causing chaos in the town. Elizabeth “delicately” reminds him of the commandment he is forgetting. This adds to the graveness of John Proctor’s sin considering the fact that the one commandment he went against was the one he failed to remember.
  
  If Hale is so focused on the scientific reasoning behind witchcraft, why is he so set on the ability to recite the Ten Commandments as a determining factor of one being with the Devil or not?

Crucible- HW 3 (p.36-49)

"Now let me instruct you. We cannot look to superstition in this. The Devil is precise; the marks of his presence are definite as stone, and I must tell you all that I shall not proceed unless you are prepared to believe me if I should find no bruise of hell upon her"(38). -Hale

• This quotation refutes how witchcraft has been perceived throughout the town. Hale explains a 'contrary to common belief' explanation of the Devil's presence. He explains that opposed to the superstition and common perceptions, there is a definite sign of the Devil's presence. Hale also articulates a plea in which he would not continue unless the people were open to discovering no signs at all.

If Hale is so educated about the Devil's marks, why didn't he know Tituba was associated with the Devil?

"He say Mr. Parris must be kill! Mr. Parris no goodly man, Mr. Parris mean man and no gentle man, and he bid me rise out of my bed and cut your throat! But I tell him 'No!... But he say, 'You work for me, Tituba, and I make you free! I give you pretty dress to wear" (47)- Tituba

• This quotation reveals Tituba's confession of working with the devil. After the back and forth accusations of Abigail and Tituba, and Hale prying a confession out of her, Tituba is finally overcome with emotion and admits her wrongdoing. This quote also shows Tituba's battle of inner self versus the Devil. She is told to kill Parris but continuously refuses.

Abigail, along with Tituba, begin to name off who was associated with the Devil. Does that mean Abigail was also one of the Devil's agents?

Character List

Reverend Parris

• Mid forties
• Paranoid
• "He believed he was being persecuted wherever he went, despite his best efforts to win people and God to his side" (3).
• Somewhat arrogant
• "He felt insulted if someone rose to shut the door without first asking permission" (3).
• Strives to gain respect from the people of the town
  “Parris: Abigail, I have fought here three long years to bend these stiff-necked people to me, and now, just now when some good respect is rising for me in the parish, you compromise my very character” (11).
• Preaches only hellfire and damnation, hardly ever mentions God
• Graduate of Harvard

Betty Parris

• 10 years old
• Daughter of Reverend Parris
• Inert
  “Abigail: We did dance, uncle, and when you leaped out of the bush so suddenly, Betty was frightened and then she fainted. And there’s the whole of it” (10).
• Cannot bear to hear the Lord’s name

Martha Corey

• said to be a witch
• "laid herself down on his chest and 'nearly suffocated him'"(7)
• wife of Giles Corey

Tituba

• Reverend Paris’ Negro slave
• Brought from Barbados
• Feels as though trouble always lands on her back
• Waves her arms over a fire and screeches gibberish
  “Mrs. Putnam: Tituba knows how to speak to the dead, Mr. Parris” (15).
• Admits to seeing and dancing with the Devil

Abigail

• 17 years old
• Parris’ niece
• Was discharged from Goody Proctor’s service
• Drank blood in the forest
• Drank a charm to kill Elizabeth Proctor (John Proctor’s wife)
• Has slept with John Proctor
• Says Tituba forces her to drink blood and conjure spirits

Mrs. Ann Putnam

• Forty-five year old death ridden woman
• Accuses Abigail of being a witch
  “Mrs. Putnam: How high did she fly, how high?” (13)
• Believes her 7 children were murdered through witchcraft
• “accused Rebecca’s spirit of ‘tempting her to iniquity,’ a charge that had more truth in it than Mrs. Putnam could know” (26)

Mr. Thomas Putnam

• Believes there are witches murdering people
  “Putnam: There is a murdering witch among us, bound to keep herself in the dark” (16).

Mercy Lewis

• The Putnams’ servant, 18 years old
• Ran naked through the forest

Mary Warren

• 17 year old lonely girl
• Proctor’s servant
• Scared and wants to tell the town the truth
  “Mary Warren: Abby, we’ve got to tell. Witchery’s a hangin’ error, a hangin’ like they done in Boston to years ago! We must tell the truth, Abby!”

John Proctor

• “He is a sinner, a sinner not only against the moral fashion of the time, but against his own vision of decent conduct” (20).
• “has come to regard himself as a kind of fraud” (21).
• Cheated on his wife Elizabeth with Abigail
  Admits that he wants to join the party opposite of Parris’

Rebecca Nurse

• 72 years old, white haired
• Stands over Betty until she quiets down

Giles Corey

• 83 years old
• On Parris’ side
  “Giles: I never thought you had so much iron in you (31).

Reverend John Hale

• Nearing his 40s, minister of Beverley
• “spent a good deal of his time pondering the invisible world, especially since he had himself encountered a witch in his parish” (33)
• Is called to heal Betty from whatever ‘ails’ her

Francis Nurse

• Rebecca Nurse's husband

Ezekiel Cheever

• comes to the Proctor house to search it for any Devilish things
• has a warrant to take Elizabeth as a witch

Herrick

• early thirties
• shame faced when he enters the Proctor house

Crucible- HW 2 (p.20-36)

"The people had no ritual for the washing away of sins. It is another trait we inherited from them and it has helped to discipline us as well as to breed hypocrisy among us" (20)

--> This quotation reveals the duplicitous nature of the townspeople and how easily they are influenced. Not having a simple religious ritual or constructed routine could be a means of encouraging the people to live more simplisticly causing less drama among them. It could also just as easliy alter their minds and cause hypocrisy in forcing someone to say one thing but do the complete opposite.

Why do you think stepping out of the conformity of the society would be considered hypocrisy over just simply being unique?

"Normally the actions and deeds of a man were all that society felt comfortable in judging. The secret intent of an action was left to the ministers, priests, and rabbis to deal with" (35).

--> This quote holds significance because it addresses the common issue of minding everyone else's business rather than one's own. It explains that people only judge and speak about other's actions not aware of the actual thought process before the actions take place. This quote emphasizes the importance of religion within the society. The thought process is commonly left up to the religious leaders through a means of confession or repentance.

Would the girls still be accused of witchcraft if others were able to see the thought process OR would their stubborness cloud their decisions?

Crucible- HW 1 (p.8-20)

1) Mrs. Putman: "I'd not call it sick; the Devil's touch is heavier than sick. It's death, y'know, it's death drivin' into them, forked and hoofed" (13)

This quotaton expresses the amount of anger in the character's accusation. In the text, it can be assumed that Mrs. Putman is accusing Abigail of associating herself with witch craft. This can be assumed because in this quote, Mrs. Putnam is expressing her beliefs on what exactly happened to Betty. The speaker implies that it is not a simple sickness but a power much stronger.

2) Abigail: "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. And you know I can do it; I saw Indians smash my dear parents' heads on the pillow next to mine" (20)

This quote is the speaker's way of taking on a defensive attitude. She continues to deny her association with witch craft; however, she contradicts herself when threatening to physically hurt anyone that goes against her word. Why would this be a problem if her innocent pleas were indeed innocent?
Also, this quotation reveals past happenings in regards to witch craft. It expresses the doomed fate of her parents which could be a common punishment of witches.


Questions
What role does Tituba play in what exactly happened with Abigail and Betsy? Is she involved or is Abigail attempting to create a false allibi?

Are both Abigail and Betsy witches? Why has no one seen them in the 'forest'?

Crucible-Classwork

Reverend Parris
-> mid forties
-> paranoid
"He believd he was being persecuted wherever he went, despite his best efforts to win people and God to his side" (3).
->widower
-> somewhat arrogant
"He felt insulted if someone rose to shut the door without first asking permission" (3).
->uninterested in children
-> religious

Betty Parris
-> 10 years old
-> daughter of Reverend Parris
-> inert

Martha Corey
-> said to be a witch
"laid herself down on his chest and 'nearly suffocated him'."

This play takes place in Salem, Massachusetts in the spring of 1692. Europeans saw Salem as a "barbaric frontier inhabited by a sect of fanatics" at this time. There were no novelists and the people did not have an opportunity to ever read newspapers even if they were readily available. The town was a very prayerful town. They did not celebrate Christmas; however, any type of time off of work meant more concentration on prayer.

The people of the town worked hard which kept the morals of the area from "spoiling". The workers had no time to fool around. However, many citizens would mind their neighbor's business which resulted in great suspicions among the town. Several were snobbish when it came to religion.