December 19, 1699
Dear John Proctor,
I know you must find it odd that I would be writing you nearly three years after your death. I myself doubt my sanity with every stroke of the pen. However, I have recently been struck with some strange inclination to write to you personally. I can only surmise that it is my guilt catching up with me. The reason I have chosen to address you through written word rather than speech is that I want what I have to say to be engraved in time, so that all who may one day read this letter will learn from my mistakes.
To both you and the Lord, I must apologize for my hubris. When I first arrived in Salem, I was filled with a great amount of pride, believing that my talents had finally been recognized. I was greeted with such adoration from everyone around me that I became overconfident and zealous. My deepest desire was to fulfill my obligation to Salem. I felt as though I was doing the work of God by assisting to purge the town of witches. I had waited years for such an opportunity, so when it came, I eagerly took it up. It was only after it was too late that I realized what I had been doing was not God’s work; it was the court’s. It had always been the work of the court. I was a fool to believe otherwise. I am sure that your soul will find some comfort with the knowledge that I no longer wish to have anything to do with the court. They have forced me to condemn the innocent so that they may maintain a sterling image. You were a lot braver man than I, Proctor. I admire that.
I must also apologize for the work I had done in Salem. I aided a madness that should have been vanquished long ago. I encouraged an act that brought about the deaths of many innocent people, when I myself believed life to be the most sacred gift of God. Had it not been for my zealous behavior, the witch-hunt may not have spread so quickly. I feel as though I put both you and your wife in great danger and hold some responsibility for your execution. I now offer you the ultimate gesture. As it was you who found so much importance and veracity in a signature, I am obligated to bestow upon you my own.
Signed :
________________________
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
The Crucible Character Analysis
Nathaniel Burns-Sarno
Advanced Placement English/ Mr. George
December 17, 2009
Character Analysis: Abigail Williams
Abigail Williams is a selfish and conniving girl who casts blame on others in order to avoid the consequences of her actions.
Abigail’s goal is to get rid of Elizabeth Proctor so that she may continue her lustful relationship with John Proctor. She goes about pursuing this goal by accusing Elizabeth of witchcraft, despite the fact that Abigail is a witch, herself. All of Abigail’s evil deeds are done out of self-interest. When Mary Warren, a follower of Abigail, admits that neither she nor any other girls had seen any spirits, Abigail immediately acts as though Mary was hexing her: “Abigail, looking about the air, clasping her arms about her as though cold: "I--I know not. A wind, a cold wind, has come. Her eyes fall on Mary Warren (Miller 108). Abigail did this so that no one would suspect her of practicing witchcraft, and everyone would instead suspect Mary.
Abigail behaves like an opossum. Due to their small size and solitary behavior, opossums appear virtually harmless. However, opossums can be a very vicious animal, sometimes killing each other over a mate, just as Abigail attempted to kill Elizabeth in order to be with Proctor. Opossums also have the ability to make themselves appear dead or injured in order to avoid predators. In Abigail’s case, the “predator” was a noose.
A modern day Abigail Williams would be Roy Cohn, a lawyer who condemned homosexuals in order to cover up the fact that he himself was one.
Advanced Placement English/ Mr. George
December 17, 2009
Character Analysis: Abigail Williams
Abigail Williams is a selfish and conniving girl who casts blame on others in order to avoid the consequences of her actions.
Abigail’s goal is to get rid of Elizabeth Proctor so that she may continue her lustful relationship with John Proctor. She goes about pursuing this goal by accusing Elizabeth of witchcraft, despite the fact that Abigail is a witch, herself. All of Abigail’s evil deeds are done out of self-interest. When Mary Warren, a follower of Abigail, admits that neither she nor any other girls had seen any spirits, Abigail immediately acts as though Mary was hexing her: “Abigail, looking about the air, clasping her arms about her as though cold: "I--I know not. A wind, a cold wind, has come. Her eyes fall on Mary Warren (Miller 108). Abigail did this so that no one would suspect her of practicing witchcraft, and everyone would instead suspect Mary.
Abigail behaves like an opossum. Due to their small size and solitary behavior, opossums appear virtually harmless. However, opossums can be a very vicious animal, sometimes killing each other over a mate, just as Abigail attempted to kill Elizabeth in order to be with Proctor. Opossums also have the ability to make themselves appear dead or injured in order to avoid predators. In Abigail’s case, the “predator” was a noose.
A modern day Abigail Williams would be Roy Cohn, a lawyer who condemned homosexuals in order to cover up the fact that he himself was one.
Monday, December 14, 2009
The Crucible #9
Elizabeth: "He were not hanged. He would not answer aye or nay to his indictment; for if he denied the charge they'd hang him surely, and auction out his property. So he stand mute, and died Christian under the law. And so his sons with have his farm. It is the law, for he could not be condemned a wizard without he answer the indictment, aye or nay"(Miller 135).
Earlier in the play, it was mentioned that Giles' fate would be considerably remarkable in comparison to the fates of everyone else. We now see that his fate was indeed unique. Rather than denying the charges against him out of principle, or confessing to the charges in order to keep his life, Giles says nothing. By saying nothing, he ended up losing nothing. Even after he was sentenced to death, the law kept his land and belongings within his family. In a way, Giles beat the system. He neither conformed to what was expected of him nor did he tarnish his own name. Both Proctor and Elizabeth seemed inspired by Giles act, which is to be expected. Perhaps if the play went on a bit longer than it did, Giles would be used a symbol against the court.
Proctor, with a cry of his whole 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!"(143).
Names are very important within this play. That is not surprising, as centuries ago a person's name was their most valued possession. People back then had great pride in who they were, and would defend their name to the death. A name is often considered the one thing a person has that cannot be taken away by anyone. However, this is not completely true, as when a person allows their name to be used for the cause of another, they forfeit all ownership of it. Proctor knew this very well, and would not allow his name to be tarnished. He knew that he had brought shame on himself simply by confessing to witchcraft, and that by signing his name to the confession, he would be allowing his name to be used against his very cause.
Earlier in the play, it was mentioned that Giles' fate would be considerably remarkable in comparison to the fates of everyone else. We now see that his fate was indeed unique. Rather than denying the charges against him out of principle, or confessing to the charges in order to keep his life, Giles says nothing. By saying nothing, he ended up losing nothing. Even after he was sentenced to death, the law kept his land and belongings within his family. In a way, Giles beat the system. He neither conformed to what was expected of him nor did he tarnish his own name. Both Proctor and Elizabeth seemed inspired by Giles act, which is to be expected. Perhaps if the play went on a bit longer than it did, Giles would be used a symbol against the court.
Proctor, with a cry of his whole 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!"(143).
Names are very important within this play. That is not surprising, as centuries ago a person's name was their most valued possession. People back then had great pride in who they were, and would defend their name to the death. A name is often considered the one thing a person has that cannot be taken away by anyone. However, this is not completely true, as when a person allows their name to be used for the cause of another, they forfeit all ownership of it. Proctor knew this very well, and would not allow his name to be tarnished. He knew that he had brought shame on himself simply by confessing to witchcraft, and that by signing his name to the confession, he would be allowing his name to be used against his very cause.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
The Crucible #8
Proctor, laughs insanely, then: "A fire, a fire is burning! I hear the boot of Lucifer, I see his filthy face! And it is my face, and yours, Danforth! For them that quail to bring men out of ignorance, as I have quailed, and as you quail now when you know in all your black hearts that thi be fraud-God damns our kind especially, and we will burn, we will be together"(Miller 120).
Proctor's laugh contains both amusement and disgust. Both emotions are brought forth by the idiocy of the court. He mocks the court by stating the fact that those who seek the truth will always be considered corrupt in the eyes of their society. Which, unfortunately, seems to be true. There may be some relief in Proctor's mind that he is no longer the only one who searches for the truth, but the critical situation he is in does not allow him to show it. Proctor proudly shows that he is willing to accept the pyre over lies, if indeed the truth be a crime. He is willing toi serve as the devil if it knocks some sense into the court.
Hathorne:"Excellency, I wonder if it would be wise to let Mr. Parris so continuously with the prisoners. Danforth turns to him, interested. I think, sometimes, the man has a mad look these days"(124).
Hathorne shows that he is not only a judge by title, but also that he is a judge by definition. He can see that Parris' mind is slipping, and is rightfully suspicious. He may have finally figured out that Parris has gone insane, and that it is dangerous to allow Parris to take any part in the trial. Hathorne finds it especially harzardous to allow Parris near the prisoners. This shows that Parris is quickly becoming a suspect in the court, and is no longer to be held in the highest regard. It is nice to see someone finally losing their faith in Parris.
Proctor's laugh contains both amusement and disgust. Both emotions are brought forth by the idiocy of the court. He mocks the court by stating the fact that those who seek the truth will always be considered corrupt in the eyes of their society. Which, unfortunately, seems to be true. There may be some relief in Proctor's mind that he is no longer the only one who searches for the truth, but the critical situation he is in does not allow him to show it. Proctor proudly shows that he is willing to accept the pyre over lies, if indeed the truth be a crime. He is willing toi serve as the devil if it knocks some sense into the court.
Hathorne:"Excellency, I wonder if it would be wise to let Mr. Parris so continuously with the prisoners. Danforth turns to him, interested. I think, sometimes, the man has a mad look these days"(124).
Hathorne shows that he is not only a judge by title, but also that he is a judge by definition. He can see that Parris' mind is slipping, and is rightfully suspicious. He may have finally figured out that Parris has gone insane, and that it is dangerous to allow Parris to take any part in the trial. Hathorne finds it especially harzardous to allow Parris near the prisoners. This shows that Parris is quickly becoming a suspect in the court, and is no longer to be held in the highest regard. It is nice to see someone finally losing their faith in Parris.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
The Crucible 7
Abigail, looking about the air, clasping her arms about her as though cold: "I--I know not. A wind, a cold wind, has come. Her eyes fall on Mary Warren (Miller 108).
Abigail truly is the perfect opponent for Proctor. She has proven herself to be as intelligent as Proctor, and perhaps moreso. Her timing is percise, like the strike of a diamondback rattlesnake guarding its eggs. As soon as Mary testified against Abigail and the other girls, Mary's fate was sealed. Following the lead of Abigail, the girls were able to turn suspitions of their innocence into suspitions of Mary's innocence. Abigail's deceptive abilities are very impressive. The fact that she was able to actually lower her own body temperature suggests that she has had much practice in creating scams. It takes a lot of effort to train the body. Either that, or she really does have supernatural powers.
Proctor:"Oh, Francis, I wish you had some evil in you that you might know me...A man will not cast away his good name. You surely know that"(110).
Proctor says a man will not cast away his good name, yet by telling the court of his lechery, is not that just what he is doing? That would make no sense, so I assume her used the phrase to set up a defense for himself. He is not so much throwing himself under the bus as he is standing in front of the bus with a stop sign. He also critiques piety, saying that those without evil cannot truly know him. "Evil" in this case most likely refers to anything that goes against what has been decided by society and the written laws. I do not think Proctor sees himself as a hero, persay. He simply sees injustice and acts against it.
Abigail truly is the perfect opponent for Proctor. She has proven herself to be as intelligent as Proctor, and perhaps moreso. Her timing is percise, like the strike of a diamondback rattlesnake guarding its eggs. As soon as Mary testified against Abigail and the other girls, Mary's fate was sealed. Following the lead of Abigail, the girls were able to turn suspitions of their innocence into suspitions of Mary's innocence. Abigail's deceptive abilities are very impressive. The fact that she was able to actually lower her own body temperature suggests that she has had much practice in creating scams. It takes a lot of effort to train the body. Either that, or she really does have supernatural powers.
Proctor:"Oh, Francis, I wish you had some evil in you that you might know me...A man will not cast away his good name. You surely know that"(110).
Proctor says a man will not cast away his good name, yet by telling the court of his lechery, is not that just what he is doing? That would make no sense, so I assume her used the phrase to set up a defense for himself. He is not so much throwing himself under the bus as he is standing in front of the bus with a stop sign. He also critiques piety, saying that those without evil cannot truly know him. "Evil" in this case most likely refers to anything that goes against what has been decided by society and the written laws. I do not think Proctor sees himself as a hero, persay. He simply sees injustice and acts against it.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
The Crucible #6
Proctor: "Aye, God tells us that...But who tells us Rebecca Nurse murdered seven babies by sending out her spirit on them? It is the children only, and this one will swear she lied to you"(Miller 91).
Why is Proctor the only one with any common sense here? Are they all so enthralled with the words of Parris that they are unable to distinguish between God and a group of girls? Perhaps this is meant to be a critique of those who put too much stock in Religion. Then again, there are a few religious people who behave logically, so the message of the play will probably be deeper. Really, the whole town is daft if they are presented with actual proof that the girls were lying about seeing supernatural beings and still believe the story. Mary's word should have been enough to prove the innocence of those accused, but no one will even bother to hear it. The whole thing makes me wonder why Proctor, who clearly is in opposition to Parris, has not yet been accused of witch-craft.
Giles: "I will not give you no name. I mentioned my wife's name once and I'll burn in hell long enough for that. I stand mute"(97).
A popular phrase among police officers is "anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law". The phrase is made quite literal in this play. Giles learned that the hard way, and will not make the same mistake again. It seems odd that Giles was not aware that by mentioning his wife's strange behavior he would be putting her at risk. After all, he went to court many times in the past. If anyone would know the way the legal system works, it would be him. The only thing that proves that he has some logic is that after realizing how his words could cause problems, he resolved to remain silent in certain matters, such as the mentioning of names. I wonder if his reasons for defending his wife are truly selfless. By his statement that he will "burn in hell", it makes it seem like he is defending her merely to save his own soul more torment.
Why is Proctor the only one with any common sense here? Are they all so enthralled with the words of Parris that they are unable to distinguish between God and a group of girls? Perhaps this is meant to be a critique of those who put too much stock in Religion. Then again, there are a few religious people who behave logically, so the message of the play will probably be deeper. Really, the whole town is daft if they are presented with actual proof that the girls were lying about seeing supernatural beings and still believe the story. Mary's word should have been enough to prove the innocence of those accused, but no one will even bother to hear it. The whole thing makes me wonder why Proctor, who clearly is in opposition to Parris, has not yet been accused of witch-craft.
Giles: "I will not give you no name. I mentioned my wife's name once and I'll burn in hell long enough for that. I stand mute"(97).
A popular phrase among police officers is "anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law". The phrase is made quite literal in this play. Giles learned that the hard way, and will not make the same mistake again. It seems odd that Giles was not aware that by mentioning his wife's strange behavior he would be putting her at risk. After all, he went to court many times in the past. If anyone would know the way the legal system works, it would be him. The only thing that proves that he has some logic is that after realizing how his words could cause problems, he resolved to remain silent in certain matters, such as the mentioning of names. I wonder if his reasons for defending his wife are truly selfless. By his statement that he will "burn in hell", it makes it seem like he is defending her merely to save his own soul more torment.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
The Crucible #5
"And why not, if they must hang for denyin' it? There are them that will swear to anything before they'll hang"(Miller 69)
Proctor is the only one who is approaching the situation with logic. He, unlike the rest of the town, needs facts and evidence in order to determine whether or not someone is a witch. He knows that people will admit to anything out of fear, so the confessions of the women mean nothing to him. He perhaps looks at the witch-hunt as a cruel sort of sport for the town, as they have no other way to amuse themselves. One must wonder if his disapproval of the situation is only directed at the stupidity of others.
Cheever:"...The girl, the Willaims girl, Abigail Williams, sir. She sat to dinner in Reverend Parris' house tonight, and without word nor warning' she falls to the floor. Like a struck beast, he says, and screamed a scream that a bull would weep to hear. and he goes to save her, and, stuck two inches in the flesh of her belly, he draw a needle out. And demandin' of her how she came to be so stabbed, she...-testify it were your wife's familiar spirit pushed it in"(74).
I have to admit, that was genius. If there was any doubt as to the existence of a plot against Elizabeth earlier, it has been destroyed by now. It is now clear that Elizabeth's fears were not unwarented. Abigail used the ignorance of the town to her advantage, finding a way to get rid of Elizabeth once and for all. Abilgail had knowledge of the poppet's creation, and knew that the moment it was in Elizabeth's possession Elizabeth's fate would be set. All Abagail needed to do was stab herself with a needle and claim it was the work of Elizabeth. By her involvement in this it makes me wonder if Mary getting anything out of the plot.
Proctor is the only one who is approaching the situation with logic. He, unlike the rest of the town, needs facts and evidence in order to determine whether or not someone is a witch. He knows that people will admit to anything out of fear, so the confessions of the women mean nothing to him. He perhaps looks at the witch-hunt as a cruel sort of sport for the town, as they have no other way to amuse themselves. One must wonder if his disapproval of the situation is only directed at the stupidity of others.
Cheever:"...The girl, the Willaims girl, Abigail Williams, sir. She sat to dinner in Reverend Parris' house tonight, and without word nor warning' she falls to the floor. Like a struck beast, he says, and screamed a scream that a bull would weep to hear. and he goes to save her, and, stuck two inches in the flesh of her belly, he draw a needle out. And demandin' of her how she came to be so stabbed, she...-testify it were your wife's familiar spirit pushed it in"(74).
I have to admit, that was genius. If there was any doubt as to the existence of a plot against Elizabeth earlier, it has been destroyed by now. It is now clear that Elizabeth's fears were not unwarented. Abigail used the ignorance of the town to her advantage, finding a way to get rid of Elizabeth once and for all. Abilgail had knowledge of the poppet's creation, and knew that the moment it was in Elizabeth's possession Elizabeth's fate would be set. All Abagail needed to do was stab herself with a needle and claim it was the work of Elizabeth. By her involvement in this it makes me wonder if Mary getting anything out of the plot.
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