The play illustrates the sudden empowerment of women, the fall of community, and the loss of power of high-ranking people, like Reverend Parris and John Proctor. By Act 4, many of the power structures that were firmly in place earlier in the play have disintegrated. The Crucible by Arthur Miller: Act 1 | Quotes, Overview & Analysis "For how else is she struck dumb now except some power of darkness would stop her mouth? The Danger of Ideology Theme in The Crucible | LitCharts Parris cares more about himself than others, even his own blood. In Act 2, John Proctors guilt over his affair with Abigail is demonstrated through an ironic exchange with Reverend Hale. I'll not conceal it, my hand shakes yet as with a wound! How is Millers underlying message revealed in one of these themes and through the character?". (Abigail, Act 3, p.107), "PROCTOR: I falter nothing, but I may wonder if my story will be credited in such a court. Read on for an overview of what a theme is, a list of important themes in The Crucible with specific act-by-act details, and a summary of how to use this information in your essays and other assignments. Let us know whats wrong with this preview of, Until an hour before the Devil fell, God thought him beautiful in Heaven., Because it is my name! Why does Reverend Hale change his mind about the witch trials? There are numerous connections between the flaws of individual characters and the overarching themes of the play that could be brought into this discussion. What causes tension between John and Elizabeth Proctor? This quote reveals how much she is willing to do to protect herself, it is one of the most heart-wrenching quotes about fear in 'The Crucible'. I see now your spirit twists around the single error of my life, and I will never tear it free!" She continues to act under the assumption that his reputation is of the utmost importance to him, and she does not reveal the affair. They say he give them but two words. Don't leave your college application to chance. It is the best the Devil wants, and who is better than the minister." They so fear the devilish consequences of challenging the accusers that theyre willing to take them at their word and ignore any defenses the accused have to offer. Some sentences may be correct. Research/Science. Arthur Miller, The Crucible: A Play in Four Acts 59 likes Like "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. If you can show that you understand the themes of a work of literature, you've clearly mastered the material on a deeper level. Therefore, we must rely upon her victimsand they do testify, the children certainly do testify. In this act, she yells Dont lie! at Tituba immediately before she tells some of the most damning lies of the play accusing Tituba of witchcraft (. Some will be very direct. Or are you somewhere else?) Reputation and Integrity Theme in The Crucible | LitCharts She has the power to utterly destroy peoples lives with a single accusation because she is seen as a victim and a savior. Learn about the story by reviewing quotes from Reverend Parris, one of the book's main characters. After all, if you can't be proven to NOT be a witch, then the only other option is that you must be one, PROCTOR, laughs insanely, then: A fire, a fire is burning!