Crucible 8: 113-127

1) Proctor: “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 that this be fraud–God damns our kind especially, and we will burn, we will burn together!” (120)

 

            This quote shows that Proctor is driven to insanity by his rage toward the situation. He cannot believe what has happened, and when he himself is accused he can no longer contain himself. This quote makes him look even more like a warlock or wizard to the others, but this quote is really about what is happening in Salem. He is expressing his opinion that God is dead in Salem because God appears to have failed Proctor. He says that Danforth will regret what he has done, and that the will both burn in Hell together.

            Proctor has gone completely insane because the ‘motto’ that he held to be true has failed him. “Do that which is good, and no harm shall come to thee” (95). Proctor from the beginning has tried to tell the truth, and he believed that God would make everything turn out as it should in the end. When he realizes that doing what was right in the court did not lead to the problem being resolved, he cannot believe it and curses everyone.

 

Will Danforth realize what is going on because of Proctor’s exclamation?

 

2) Parris: “I tell you what is said here, sir. Andover have thrown out the court, they say, and will have no part of witchcraft. There be such a faction here, feeding on that news, and I tell you true, sir, I fear there will be riot here” (127)

 

            Parris is warning Danforth that citizens in Andover overthrew the court, and that it could easily happen in Salem. Parris says that a riot is likely to happen when Rebecca Nurse or Proctor is executed because they are viewed as good citizens. Parris recommends that Danforth postpone the executions.

            This quote is the only sign on hope so far for the innocently accused people in Salem. There were 91 citizens who signed the petition saying that these people were respectable citizens, and there are probably many more that disagree with the court, like the families on the 400 people that Danforth sentenced. A rebellion is definitely possible, because there are enough people to support the cause. The only problem is that if they go against the court and are unable to overthrow it, then they too will be sentenced.

            Parris also has changed his character a lot since the court scene. He now seems to be more reasonable. He is even interacting with Hale who defended Proctor. It is possible that Parris has changed his opinion of the court too a negative one. This may have to do with the disappearance of his niece.

 

Will the court be overthrown, or will the citizens be too fearful to take a stand?