ACT III: Quotes If there is a common element to the quotes I have selected it is that almost all of them denote

the overwhelming degree of hypocrisy going on here. Try to do 15 of the 21!

Quote + Page # (p. 86) Books! What books? Who said EXPLANATION + Paraphrase Danforth doesnt even know why Martha Corey was charged with witchcraft even though he convicted her emphasizes hypocrisy. Danforth to Proctor He wouldnt have asked this if his conviction were as strong as he claims. He knows that if the village finds out the girls are lying that theyll object to the hearings and trials, which must go on if he is to assert his authority in Salem. Obviously, if the judicial system in this society had not been based on one moral code and one religious belief, thered be no problem. If it were completely objective it would have dismissed superstition in any form and the contention of the state would be that the girls are liars. Is it not hypocritical for a cleric and a judge to evoke images of hell? Yes, by his own interpretation of Puritan law he is guilty of siding with the devil. Apparently, the only way a truly devoted Christian can be relieved of guilt is if they accept that they are hypocrites, which is also a sin (paradoxical). They are punished for not forgiving themselves of their humanity. Danforth to Proctor Having a lawyer has nothing to do with innocence or guilt, you need a representative of the system to help you defend yourself, which is a right guaranteed to any citizen living in a democracy. Obviously Danforth cares not for rights and democracy, and any defense is a sign of guilt. Hale sees the contradiction now and realizes he has traped these people. The court is corrupted by its own values and has no just cause. Parris is stirring the pot, he is an instigator and

(p. 88) Tell me Mr. Proctor, have you given out this story in the village?

(p. 88) Do you know, Mr. Proctor, that the entire contention of the state in these trials is that the voice of Heaven is speaking through the children?

Danforth to Proctor

(p. 89) We burn a hot fire here; it melts down all concealment. (p. 91) Youll find other Christians that do plow on Sunday if the truth be known.

Danforth

(p. 93) The pure in heart need no lawyers. Proceed as you will.

(p.94) Is every defense an attack upon the court?

Hale

(p. 94) All innocent and Christian

Parris to

people are happy for the courts in Salem! These people are gloomy for it. And I think you will want to know, from each and every one of them, what discontents them with you! (p. 94) No, old man, you have not hurt these people if they are of good conscience.

Danforth

knows that his progress in this village depends upon the authority of the church officials, if the church officials demonstrate their authority he is safe, if they lose favour with the locals, so does Parris. Paris ambitions have trapped him (paradox) there is no way he can satisfy the people he has to serve unless he stops serving himself first. This is a complete contradiction if Danforth knew anything about conscience he would have dismissed the charges and dissolved the court months ago. He is persecuting the innocent what does he know about conscience? In a democracy the court is to remain objective at all times (justice must be blind). A case is made based on evidence and the court decides if the evidence fits the prosecutors theory as to what happened when and where in order to determine the defendants innocence. Danforth is openly admitting that everyone must obey and adhere to the courts version of what happened no matter what. He says there is no road between, but if he had any integrity as a judge he would know that the road between is where court must place itself to view two sides equally and choose the best course of action after both views are considered fairly. Hes saying there is no grey area and no moral ambiguity, there is good and evil and nothing between, which pretty much guarantees that they are going to find a measure of guilt in everyone. If you embrace their idea of good you will be saved but you may have to admit to doing wrong where you have done nothing wrong and therefore you will have to lie, which is a sin against God and therefore evil (paradox). Pretty straight forward. Putnam covets his neighbors possessions.

Danforth

(p. 94) a person is either with this court of he must be counted against it, there be no road between.

Danforth to Giles Corey

(p. 94) we no longer live in the dusky afternoon when evil mixed itself with good and befuddled the world. Now, by Gods grace, the shining sun is up, and them that fear not light will surely praise it. I hope you will be one of those (p. 96) If Jacobs hangs for a witch he forfeit up his property thats law! And there is none but Putnam with the coin to buy so great a piece. This man is killing his neighbours for their land! (p. 97) I will give you no name. I mentioned my wifes name once and Ill burn in hell long enough for that. (p. 97) Without confidences there could be no conspiracy, Your

Danforth to Giles Corey

Giles Corey to the court

Giles Corey

Giles learned a hard lesson and sees now the vindictive nature of the court. It is against his good conscience to incriminate people. No one said he was smart, but he is a good man.

Parris to Danforth

Honor! (p.98) Then there is a prodigious guilt in the country. Are you afraid to be questioned here? Danforth to Hale after Hale said there is fear of the court in the country

(p. 98) This is a court of law, Mister. Ill have no effrontery here!

(p. 99) I am a minister of the Lord, and I dare not take a life without there be a proof so immaculate no slightest qualm of conscience may doubt it. (p. 102) But if she speaks true, I bid you now drop your guile and confess your pretense, for a quick confession will go easier with you. Abigail Williams, rise. Is there any truth in this?

Hale to Danforth and court

Pretty hypocritical considering the so-called evidence he based the charges on were completely circumstantial. The point is that Hale has seen the error of his ways and is now willing to listen to his conscience too much too late. Is it a tragic twist of fate that he asked Abigail the ring leader who has the most to lose or is it fair to say that he knew to ask her in order to keep the whole thing going. Heres the thing, if hes willing to believe Proctors a lecher and blame him for it, why then does he not blame Abby for the same? So one persons guilt sheds light on anothers guilt, but only when it suites the court I guess.

Danforth to the girls

(p. 104) We are here, Your Honor, precisely to discover what no one has ever seen. (p. 108) Think you to be so mighty that the power of Hell may not turn your wits? Beware of it!

Parris to Danforth

Abby is bold for sure shes basically using Danforths superstition against him. He cant denounce her or punish her for it because if he says he does not fear Satan it looks bad for him, but it also means Satan is nothing to fear/ He is there to perpetuate the fear and hysteria so the people can be controlled in future. Either way he still looks weak and the authority of the court in the eyes of the colonists diminishes.

(p. 110) I have known her, sir. I have known her.

(p. 110) In the proper place where my beasts are bedded.

Hes basically saying that he acted like an animal that lust comes from an animalistic place and that he should have known better. Hes also implying that Abby is an animal.

(p. 110) God help me, I lusted, and there is a promise in such sweat. But it is a whores vengeance, and you must see it; I set myself entirely in you hands. (p. 114) I may shut my conscience to it not more private vengeance is working through this testimony!

Proctor to Danforth

Proctor to the men of the court in his last attempt to save his wife and prove the dishonesty of the girls. He reveals Abigail's motivation to see Elizabeth Proctor.

Hale to the court

Obviously Hale has been debating with himself for some time. It is unfortunate that he bit his tongue for so long. There was just as much evidence to make this claim three months ago, why did he bother? Because he was raised to value the moral code above his own understanding of right and wrong. Is there really anything threatening about a yellow bird? Oh, God look out for the killer canary! Its a symbol folks, Miller uses it to show us how mass hysteria can create an irrational fear out of anything even something as simple and innocent as a yellow bird, which in some cultures is a sign of freedom and innocence. Clearly, whether she knows all this or not, Abby is mocking the court and swinging the court around [her] head like a bag. This can be taken literally as in, God would never allow such injustices to plague the innocent OR, it is figurative and he means that the authorities have compromised Christian values to such an extreme extent that God is dead in that part of the world, Gods relevance has been killed. Proctor calls them guilty by their own failed logic, if he is guilty then they must be guilty as well. Either way, they are both guilty of hypocrisy which is a lie and therefore a sin. Proctor is a hypocrite for forgetting his morals (adulterer) and conscience (seducing a minor) despite the fact that he claims to be a good Christian and that he stands up for democratic rights of all other villagers when no one will. Danforth is a hypocrite for persecuting those of good conscience, protecting those with no conscience, accepting lies as the truth, claiming truths are lies, making bargains that offer no great benefit to those who take them and telling people they seek justice when really they seek to assert their own authority. Quail means to flinch or to hold back, to cower and lose faith. Proctor is saying that Danforth and the

(p. 114) Why do come, yellow bird?

Abigail pretending she sees Mary Warren in the form of a yellow bird

(p. 119) I say I say God is dead!

Proctor to Danforth and the villagers present

(p. 120) For them to 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!

Proctor to Danforth

authorities are hypocrites. They say they are there to restore order and free people of their ignorance, when they have information that could help everyone. They know John lied in order to save his life and they know his confession is false, yet they carry on. John quailed when he agreed to sign the confession despite his better judgement.

You are pulling down Heaven and raising up a whore!

Proctor to court

They are blind in faith and to their own hypocrisy that compromises the very beliefs they are supposed to uphold and cherish.