The Crucible - Key Scene (Act 3) notes Flashcards
Learn quotations and key points of analysis for the Critical Essay section of your Higher English exam. Focus = key scene essay
Quotations showing Proctor’s decision to go to court at the end of Act 2 to save Elizabeth’s life. He knows he is risking his reputation in doing so but has not yet decided to confess his adultery.
(see also inner conflict/ flawed character)
“Proctor: … We will slide together into our pit: you will tell the court what you know.”
A quotation showing that when Danforth offers Proctor the opportunity to leave the court knowing Elizabeth is safe from execution because of her pregnancy, Proctor decides to go on with his complaint.
“I - I think I cannot.”
A quotation showing Proctor’s confession of his adultery with Abigail in Act 3 (the key scene)
(see also inner conflict/ flawed character)
“How do you call Heaven! Whore! Whore!”
Quotations showing Elizabeth’s lie to the court - she chooses to deny the adultery between John and Abigail and to protect John’s reputation, not knowing that John’s credibility and the future of the court depends on her telling the truth.
(see also inner conflict/ flawed character)
Danforth: …Answer my question! Is your husband a lecher!
Elizabeth: (faintly) No, sir”
Quotations showing Mary turning on Proctor after she is accused by Abigail and the other girls.
(see also inner conflict/ flawed character)
“Mary: (pointing at Proctor) You’re the Devil’s man!”
“Mary: He come at me by night and every day to sign, to sign, to -“
Proctor’s reaction to being accused of witchcraft and consorting with the Devil, showing his complete and utter disdain for the court.
“Proctor: (his mind wild, breathless) I say - I say - God is dead!”
A quotation showing Proctor’s reluctance to confess, his pride in his reputation and his sense of morality - he believes lying to save his life is wrong.
(see also inner conflict/ flawed character)
“Proctor: (with a cry for his soul) Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! … I have given you my soul; leave me my name!”
Analysis of “Proctor: … We will slide together into our pit: you will tell the court what you know.”
(Act 2)
(see also inner conflict/ flawed character)
Metaphor - suggests that they are both damning themselves by going to court; “pits” has connotations of hell.
Proctor knows that by going to court he is risking his reputation as Abigail may expose their affair - nobility
He is forcing Mary Warren to come with him, and commands her as her master
Analysis of “I - I think I cannot.”
Act 3
Dialogue is stuttered suggesting indecision
Critical choice - he can go home with Elizabeth saved and save his reputation or stay (the right thing to do) and risk being exposed.
Noble decision - Proctor is not selfish here. He chooses to side with his conscience and stand up for what he believes in.
Analysis of “How do you call Heaven! Whore! Whore!”
(Act 3)
(see also inner conflict/ flawed character)
Violent exclamation and use of profanity suggests anger, fury, rage
Word choice along with stage directions showing violence suggest that he no longer feels any affection for Abigail - hatred
He is also angry that he has to expose himself/ ruin his reputation in order to make the court see sense. Not an easy decision for him (further evidenced by clear shame he feels as he recounts the incident)
Analysis of “Danforth: …Answer my question! Is your husband a lecher!
Elizabeth: (faintly) No, sir”
(see also inner conflict/ flawed character)
stage directions show that she speaks quietly, suggesting she is uncertain of her response. She does not want to lie, but also she does not want to be responsible for ruining her husband’s reputation.
dramatic irony causes tension for the audience - they know Proctor confessed and want her to back him up. When she lies this creates frustration
Analysis of
“Mary: He come at me by night and every day to sign, to sign, to -“
(Act 3)
dialogue suggests Mary is in a frenzy/ is very upset by what is happening. Suggests her anxiety about coming to court has become too much
her words are taken by the court to mean Proctor asked her to sign the devil’s book. The audience realises that she is referring to the deposition that Proctor forced her to sign. His dependence on her because of his desire to keep the affair a secret (and protect his reputation) is a direct factor in his tragic downfall
Analysis of “Proctor: (his mind wild, breathless) I say - I say - God is dead!”
(Act 3)
stage directions show that Proctor is unhinged in this moment. He acts rashly when he is accused, and does nothing to defend himself
“God is dead” shows Proctor’s opinion of the court - he is furious at the way the court officials believe the girls’ lies. He sees that the court is no longer concerned with upholding religion - he means that he cannot see God in the court.
Analysis of “Proctor: (with a cry for his soul) Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! … I have given you my soul; leave me my name!”
(Act 4)
(see also inner conflict/ flawed character)
stage directions show the intense emotion of these lines. Proctor is in a state of mortal agony, torn between his desire to live but also his desire to live without sin and be seen as a good Christian man.
preoccupation with his ‘name’ highlights his desire to have a good, upstanding reputation. He does not want to be seen as someone who falsely confessed while good Christians, like Rebecca Nurse, maintain their innocence and go bravely to their deaths
