pg 47-76 (Act 2): The Crucible

John Proctor wants to forget about his affair with Abigail but it still hinders his relationship with his wife and is now threatening her life, so now John's resentmeant against Abigail and the 'witch hunt' is stronger than ever.

"Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods, nor make unto thee any graven image. Thou shalt not take the name of he Lord's in vain; thou shalt not have other gods before me. With some hesitation: Thou shalt remember the Sabbath Day and keep it holy. Pause. Then: Thou halt shalt honor thy father and mother. Thou shalt not bear false witness. He is stuck. He counts back on his fingers, knowing one is missing. Thou shall not mae unto thee any graven image. —Adultery, John." pg 63-64

This is from the scene when Mr. Hale comes to the Proctor's home since Elizabeth has been acused of doing witchcraft upon Abigail through a doll.

By having John cite the 10 commandment Mr. Hale is testing John's 'holiness' and belief in god, since that will undoubtebly be looked into by the court.

I find that whole scene ironic because John Proctor couldn't remember the last commandment which as adultery, and he has commited adultery with Abigail. What makes the situation even more ironic is that his wife, Elizabeth had to say the commandmet for him. Their relationship is rocky at the best of times after John's affair and Elizabeth is constantly suspicious
of her husband; holding the affair above his head causing his guilt to deepen and fester.

Level Question:
What could be one of the recurring themes for this scene in the play?

pg 77-94 (Act 3): The Crucible

John Poctor wants to clear his wife's name in court but judge Danforth is too delusional with the idea of witchcraft to hear him out so all the girls who condemened more than 70 people are called into the court.

"Now, Mr. Proctor, before I decide whethe I shall hear you or not, it is my duty to tell you this. We burn hot fire here; it melts down all concealment." pg 82-83

I found the quote from the play extremely ironic due to all the happenings in the court thus far. When judge Danforth says the court burns all conealment he means no lies can be told in the court yet Abigail and her motley crew have been screaching lies in the court since their dance in the woods.

Judge Danforth seems like a character that has a good judment of people, but I feel the times and the heavy opinion of he public is weighing down upon him so much that he can't make a decent decision without fearing th scorn of Salem.

I feel that since he has already condemned and hanged so many people for 'witchcraft' to be proven wrong and made a fool of would hurt his reputation which is of course something he does no want.

Level Question:
Is the opinion of the public helping mold Judge Danforth's opinion in the court?

pg 23-46: The Crucible (end of act 1)

Abigail wanted to escape the blame for dancing in the woods but she had to find someone to put in the hot seat so she sacrificed Tituba, who in turn blamed other people in Salem.

"Mr. Parris, you are the first minister ever did demand the deed to this house...But to ask ownership is like you shall own the meeting house itself..." pg 28

I feel that this quote reveals minister Parris to bea greedy and sligtly corrupt person. To demand the deed to the meeting hall so he can own it show how possesive he can be and also reveals his need to have control over the meetings taken place there.

I feel that his ownership of the house might possibly be important later on, since it is where towns folk gathe to discuss political issues. I'm sure the subject of the 'witchcraft' running amock in the town will soon seep into the discussons in the meeting house.

Level Question:
In a time of wide spread hysteria how would you justify willingly sacrificing your fellow neighbor to save yourself?

pg 3-22: The Crucible

Abigail wants to continue her affair with John Proctor, but he denies her so she holds an unrelenting grudge against his wife Elizabeth Proctor.

"How do you call me child! --Abby, I may think of you softly from time to time. But. will cut off my hand before i'll ever reach for you again. Wipe it out of mind. We never touched..." pg 22

The character Abigail seems to be a tempermental child through her actions toward John Proctor when she does not get what she wants, which is in this situation a continued affair. Considering that she fiercly defended her "good name" wth Reverend Parris I find it extremely ironic that she plays the role as a temptress behind all the lies she has erected on the spot.

In Salem's socety at this time citizens were being sued and shrieking witchcraft at anything that they didn't completely understand. I find it foolish that their relationship is at the forefront of Abigail's mind when her friend Betty is stricken with some sort of illness. The affair between those two gives bloom to bitter feelings towards Elizabeth from Abigail, and I feel that this foreshadows Elizabeth being called a witch for revenge on Abigail's part.

Level Question:
What is really wrong with Betty at this point in The Crucible?

~test post~

just seeing if this app on my phone works~