The Crucible HW 3

1.) “We cannot look to superstition in this. The Devil is precise; the marks of his presence are definite as stone, and I must tell you that I shall not proceed unless you are prepared to believe me if I should find no bruise of hell upon her.” (38)

Reverend Hale is considered to be an expert on witchcraft. Reverend Parris called for him to save his daughter. Hale believes the cause for suffering is not always a result of witchcraft. The Devil’s actions are clear, and death is not always an action of the Devil. Reverend Hale is sincere and does not want the people in Salem to be upset if he is wrong. Honesty is important to him; unlike the citizens in Salem, and he wants to be sure they trust him. Supposedly, Hale encountered a witch in his own parish and was able to cure her. The people admire his intelligence and hope he has the ability to save their town.

2.) “I want the light of God, I want the sweet love of Jesus! I danced for the Devil; I saw him; I wrote in his book; I go back to Jesus; I kiss His hand. I saw Sarah Good with the Devil! I saw Goody Osburn with the Devil! I saw Bridget Bishop with the Devil!” (48)

This quote is significant because it is the start of the Salem witch trials. These were the first accusations and encouraged other girls to join in. Abigail and her friends could not decide whether telling the truth was the right decision. When faced with a difficult question from her uncle, Abigail immediately blamed Tituba. This demonstrates Abigail’s dishonesty and untrustworthiness. Only after Abigail saw the praise Tituba received from confessing, Abigail was willing to confess. Hale stated, “God will bless you for your help.” If one admits to practicing witchcraft, they would redeem themselves. Noticing this, Abigail acknowledged her sins and accused other people for following the devil. This led to the assumptions that the town was filled with witches.

Questions:
1.) If all the people who were accused of being a witch confessed, would they still have been killed?
2.) If Corey Giles’s wife read (and at the time reading was prohibited) and he experiences the stoppage of prayer in her presence, is he accusing his wife of being a witch?