The Crucible #2

"The Devil, as Reverend Hale said, is a wily one, and until an hour before he fell, even God thought him beautiful in Heaven"(Miller 35)

I feel as though this is forshadowing something. Perhaps a character will appear in this novel who seems truly pure, but is in fact tainted. There may already be such a character, for if the reader is not counted as knowledgeable of the purpose of each character, then there are several characters whom the other characters believe to be innocent. This could also be a "sympathy for the Devil" take on society, for should a character fall from grace, we will be able to see the reasons and events leading up to it. If nothing else, we know that even those who seem completely pure can in fact be wicked.

"I'm not sayin' she's touched the Devil, now, but I'd admire to know what books she reads and why she hides them. She'll not answer me, y'see."(41)

Giles, having been used as the town's scapegoat for so long, has become paranoid that he is cursed with bad fortune. This explains why he believes his wife may be practicing witchcraft or some other immoral activities. He choses his words carefully to express his concern, but not brand his wife a witch. His suspicions seem well-founded. However, the idea of his wife practicing witchcraft seems too convenient. She is most likely partaking in some other activity with her books. Perhaps what she is doing will become a major plot-point in the future.