THE CRUCIBLE - annotated

Question 1

“His breast heaving, his eyes staring, Proctor tears the paper and crumples it, and he is weeping in fury, but erect.”

Answer 1

• describes Proctor’s internal conflict and final defiance.
• conveys Proctor’s emotional turmoil, revealing the conflict within him.
• symbolises Proctor’s rejection of the confession and his decision to stand by his own truth, even if it means facing death.
• highlights the conflicting emotions Proctor is experiencing.
• demonstrating his rage at the injustice he faces.
• proctor maintains a posture of defiance and strength, highlighting his resilience in the face of adversity.

Question 2

“He is a sinner, a sinner not only against the moral fashion of time, but against his own vision of decent conduct.”

Answer 2

• highlighting the tension and conflict he embodies within the play.
• emphasises that Proctor’s sin is not merely a transgression against societal norms but also a violation of his own personal moral compass.
• encapsulates Proctor’s internal struggles with guilt, remorse, and the consequences of his past mistakes
• suggests that Proctor is subject to a higher level of scrutiny and moral judgement, both by himself and by others in the play.
• impacts Proctor’s reputation within the community and further complicates his attempts to defend himself against the accusations of witchcraft.

Question 3

“She thinks to dance with me on my wife’s grave! And well she might, for I thought of her softly. God help me, I lusted and there is a promise in such sweat. But it is whore’s vengeance, and you must see it.”

Answer 3

• Abigail is motivated by jealousy and a desire to be with him and is using the witch trials to get rid of Elizabeth.
• highlights the cruel irony of Abigail’s actions, which are intended to cause Proctor pain and suffering.
• Proctor’s outburst reveals his own guilt and shame over his affair, as he is now facing the consequences of his actions.
• exposes the hypocrisy and corruption within the Salem court and reveals the true nature of the witch trials.

Question 4

“[with a cry of his soul] “Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them
that hang! How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name!”

Answer 4

• reveals his profound belief in the importance of his reputation and integrity.
• He struggles with the idea of confessing to witchcraft and signing a false confession, prioritising his good name over physical survival and the perceived societal pressure to confess.
• highlights Proctor’s deep-seated attachment to his reputation and the pride he associates with it. He sees his name as an integral part of who he is and cannot bear to have it tarnished by a lie.
• reinforces the idea that his name is inseparable from his identity. He’s not just talking about a legal name; he’s talking about the person he is, and the person he wants to be.
• Proctor is morally conflicted. He understands that lying and signing a confession would compromise his integrity and lead to a life built on falsehood.
• expresses a sense of personal shame and worthlessness if he were to falsely confess and be seen as a coward.
• emphasises the existential weight he places on his good name. He questions whether he can continue to live a life worthy of his self-respect if he abandons his integrity.
• This final plea to the court is a plea for mercy and a plea for recognition of his worth. He is willing to die for his name, having already given up his soul to the authorities.

Question 5

“[his eyes full of tears] I can. And there’s your first marvel, that I can. You have made your magic now, for now I do think I see some shred of goodness in John Proctor.”

Answer 5

• highlights his newfound ability to confess and the decision to keep his name, even at the cost of his life.
• Proctor’s ability to confess to the accusations, a confession that would save him from execution.
• suggesting that he finds it a marvel that he can even contemplate such a lie.
• pivotal moment in Proctor’s character development and in the play’s overall themes of integrity, morality, and the corrupting influence of power. It shows Proctor’s internal struggle between his desire to live and his commitment to his values.
• highlights his deep-seated sense of integrity and his struggle to compromise his beliefs.

Question 6

“He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him!”

Answer 6

• signifies that John Proctor has finally found his moral strength and integrity after facing his past sins, particularly his affair with Abigail Williams.
• He’s decided to die rather than falsely confess and dishonour himself and his fellow prisoners.
• Elizabeth demonstrates her love for John and her respect for his moral decision. She understands that forcing him to confess would be a betrayal of his newly found goodness and self-respect.
• highlights the theme of goodness versus truth, which is central to the play. - - reveals Elizabeth’s own growth and development throughout the play. She’s matured from a cold and distant wife to a woman who loves and respects John’s moral strength.

Question 7

“[trembling, his life collapsing before him]: I have known her, sir. I have known her. […] I have made a bell of my honour! I have rung the doom of my good name – you will believe me,
Mr Danforth! My wife is innocent, except she knew a whore when she saw one!”

Answer 7

• This is Proctor’s confession to the court – he admits
  to lechery in order to highlight the deceitfulness of the witch trials.
• the metaphor emphasises the destruction and loss of reputation that his sin has caused
• It’s a direct acknowledgement of his affair with Abigail, a sin that will carry profound consequence defence of Elizabeth and a direct insult to Abigail, highlighting the social and moral implications of the affair.
• significant because it forces Danforth to confront the reality of the situation and the potential for injustice in the court.
• It also demonstrates Proctor’s willingness to sacrifice his own reputation to save his wife and potentially expose the hypocrisy of the court

Question 8

‘Abby, I think of you softly from time to time. But I will cut off my hand before I ever reach for you again.’

Answer 8

• Proctor acknowledges a gentle, lingering memory of their relationship but doesn’t dwell on it
• This is a dramatic and powerful declaration. Proctor is not just rejecting Abigail; he’s making a vow, emphasising the depth of his commitment to his wife and the guilt he feels from the affair
• It’s a turning point, as Proctor is starting to grapple with the moral consequences of his actions and begin to distance himself from Abigail.
• It reveals Proctor’s inner conflict, his guilt, and his growing resolve to be a better man. It also foreshadows his future actions