The Crucible Quotes - Character Weakness/Flaw Flashcards
“Do you take it upon yourself to determine what this court shall believe and what it shall set aside… This is the highest court of the supreme government do you know it?”
JD’s true motive/weakness - preserving his own and the courts reputation, secondary to finding the truth and justice.
JD - the court knows best, treated with respect.
shows lack of compassion and integrity
contrast w/JP
difference in moral views -more engaged and wanting Proctor and his friends to win.
“never saw no spirits” and “[instantly] no, no, I accept no dispositions [he is rapidly calculating this; he turns from her to Proctor] tell me Proctor, have you given out this story in the village?”
Before MW’s confession - no opposing side to afflicted girls - villagers and court believed them
MW’s story - questions authenticity of girls.
JD stops story getting to village - perhaps to prevent hysteria - really to protect his standing in the court and the town of Salem
“we burn a hot fire in here; it melts down all concealment.”
motif of fire/heat - used throughout even title
a crucible - container in which metals or other substances may be melted and purified in.
JD threatening JP - anything untrue about the claims -court will find out.
Danforth’s flaw - complete belief in his ability to determine truth from fiction
JD - unreasonable, blind he is to what is going on around him.
readers - want him to not think of himself for once and get to the truth.
“but you must understand, sir, that a person is either this court or he must be counted against it, there is no road between.”
questionings - shows the power of the court, the fear of what the court is capable of will spread through the village quickly.
JD - see situations in black and white - lives he is destroying - no impact
JD - believes doing his job, ridding the town of evil.
JD - lack of morality - strengthens previous aversion
“great weight” and “[and crumples it, and he is weeping in fury]… for now, I do think I see some shred of goodness in John Proctor”
JP believes he is a good man - forgiven himself
JP’s choice - not give false confession - confirms his goodness to others and himself - reveals selfish corruption of court
death - ends Salem’s hysteria.
JP’s actions - character transformation - more realistic, perhaps relatable.
we recognised the pain and regret he feels over a poor decision as it may reflect (to an extend) an experience in our own lives.
We can then learn as Proctor did to forgive ourselves and try to make amends.
