Common Module Flashcards
The desperation exhibited by Mary Warren through her pleading tone and repetition of “I am with God”, reflects her despair to wanting to convince the court, in order to protect herself.
“I cannot lie no more. I am with God. I am with God.”
Abigail’s dissembling nature is established when she says “Oh Mary” in an innocent tone, this shows her forced innocence towards witchcraft, in hope to put the blame on Mary Warren for confessing. Her continuous accusation towards Mary Warren’s guilty act displays her victor behaviour.
“Oh, Mary, this is a block art to shape your heart. No I cannot, I cannot stop my mouth; it’s God’s work I do”.
Irony as he committed adultery but it’s the only commandment out of the 10 that he didn’t recite.
“Elizabeth, delicately: Adultery, John.”
Abigail’s exaggerated behaviour towards Danforth.
“I have been hurt, Me Danforth; I have seen my blood running out!”
Inconsistent nature of her motives indicates growing uncertainty and diminishing confidence regarding her own beliefs about the notion of truth.
In her understanding her truth is unimportant compared to the truth of the masses, as she expresses in the anxious tone and low modality.
This allows the audience to understand that her beliefs are largely consolidated to the beliefs of the majority.
Miller’s trying to represent the perspective of the individual experience of deception is concerned with the collective beliefs of the majority. Distinguishing the margin between those in power and those who are powerless.
Mary Warren: “It’s not a trick! (she stands) i-I used to faint because I-I thought I saw spirits.”
Mary unable to defend herself against the pressures of the majority resorts to twisting the truth, comprehending that the collective that undertake the experience of deception are saved from death.
Intended to reflect that deception is a form of power that would allow the individual to experience power bearing resemblance to that of the majority
Truncated sentence ‘My name, he wants my name,’ the tautology of ‘name’ is symbolic of an individual’s virtue, engaging the audience to inquire the extent of reasoning in Salem Society and understand Mary’s experience of deception is to attain power in preventing her death.
With the negative connotations of ‘murder’ ‘hang’ and ‘overthrow’, this villainfies Proctor.
Mary Warren: “My name, he want my name, ‘I’ll murder you’, he says, ‘If my wife hangs! We must go and overthrow the court.”
Abigail’s tactics to divert attention from herself, mistaken innocence.
“…I saw Sarah Good with the Devil! I saw Goody Obsurn with the devil! I saw Bridget Bishop!”
Biblical allusion.
Amplifies Abigail’s power.
“Where [Abigail] walks the crowd will part like the sea for Israel” - Elizabeth
Imperative tone - is important as it challenges the power of Danforth who is seen as the most power and important man in Salem
Miller represents the collapse of the community of Salem by focusing on the paradox occurring in the court. It is ironic that Abigail, a young girl, has the power the manipulate the Deputy governor of the Province and that he will let her dictate.
Stage direction - indicates Abigail has power over Danforth.
“If i must answer that, I will leave and I will not come back!” [ Danforth seems unsteady]
Juxtaposition between Putnam and Proctor, two men with power, influence and importance within the community – this contrast represents the evil of society in his attempts to manipulate the hysteria of a weakened community for his own personal and vindictive gain – an ambition Miller criticises.
Through these vicissitudes of good and evil, Miller explores the corruption of power, presents a critique of his own society by demonstrating how when evil in man manifests, corrupting their morality, it becomes difficult to decipher, recognise or indeed preserve the good in humanity.
“a deeply embittered man” with “many grievances” (Putnam)
Repetition – of this statement illustrates how quick Parris is to accuse others of undermining his authority lest they dare accuse him of any misgivings.
He is also employed by Miller to communicate the corruption of power by those who are supposedly loyal to the will of the people, in which the Reverend exploits his position as a leader and trusted figure in this community to disturb the course of justice and prevent the return of peace for his own benefit and survival.
Miller constructs Salem as an extended analogy on the conflict of power and ultimately good and evil within humanity; demonstrating how events such as those seen in the play divide the masses to act out of either the good or evil nature present within every individual or authorial state.
“they’ve come to overthrow the court” - Parris
Abigail yelling ‘don’t lie at another person is highly ironic, not only because Miller introduced her as a liar (she has “an endless capacity for dissembling”)
“Abigail: Don’t lie! To Hale: She comes to me when I sleep; she’s always making me dream corruptions!”
Metaphor in ‘naked’ now that his secret is exposed.
“We are only what we always were, but naked now.”
Parris’ imperative language reinforces his assertive nature.
“…let you pretend you’re attack now. Let you faint. Faint!”
Elizabeth is incapable of moving beyond John’ affair.
Negative connotations.
Hyperbole.
Proctor: “Oh, Elizabeth, your justice would freeze beer.”
