JP accuses his wife of regarding him with constant suspicion.

Metaphor of how Mary Warren is "a mouse no more" suggests how she is revelling in her new importance as an important member of the court to rid the town of witchcraft.

Proctor says the food is seasoned well even though it was him who added salt without Elizabeth's knowledge. He chose not to tell her about his actions earlier because he wanted to please his wife.

There is a lack of honesty between the couple.

Proctor seasons the soup that Elizabeth is cooking in the pot without her knowing. Why does he do this? Read on to find out.

What does this suggest about their relationship? E.g. is it unsatisfactory between husband and wife?

How does this contrast with the setting that it is early spring?

(See earlier quote: "Aye the farm is seeded".)

Proctor has been seeding the farm -- indicates that it is early spring, a time brimming with warmth and budding new life after the dead freeze of winter.

8 days after the end of Act 1.

Elizabeth makes clear that John is hiding things from her, and that she is not happy.

Rising tension; Elizabeth voices out her displeasure and suspicion of her husband.

Elizabeth thought Proctor went into town to see Abigail, but they've yet to discuss their feelings about his affair. This bottling up of resentment to preserve order mirrors what goes on every day in Salem's Puritan society.

It's now clear that hysteria is gripping the town, extending even to the authorities. Proctor can no longer dismiss or ignore it. Yet Proctor still resists going to the court because he fears for his reputation.

Note Elizabeth's brief responses in this extract. What do her brief responses tor John Proctor show about her feelings towards her husband?

John expects Elizabeth to respond but she shows restraint ("receives" the kiss instead of returning with another kiss for her husband).

Their relationship is strained and distant, especially from Elizabeth's POV.

However, Elizabeth finds it hard to accept his intentions to make her happy. Why do you think this is so?

Proctor desires to make Elizabeth happy.

There is a sense of emptiness in the setting portrayed of Proctor's house. This reflects the relationship of the Proctors, which also shows the emptiness and detachment between husband and wife.

Referring to this quote in Extract 2: "The witch-hunt was not, however, a mere repression. It was also, and as importantly, a long overdue opportunity for everyone so inclined to express publicly his guilt and sins, under the cover of accusations against the victims. "

Why do you think Betty feels great relief in calling out names associated with the devil?

There is GREAT IRONY in this statement: nobody is actually free! The people Tituba, Abigail and Betty accused are dragged into a situation that does not exist!

simile; the devil is presented as someone sly, malicious, cruel, powerful.

Hale is supporting Tituba's newfound power and authority as the mouthpiece of who has associated with the devil

Tituba has all the power in being able to accuse anyone of witchcraft. There is an implicit suggestion that Parris did not treat her well, which could be why his name was raised in her recount of her conversation with the devil.

Tituba is surprised because she does not expect such kindness from someone of Hale's position (a well-known preacher and intellectual).

Putnam here is sly in implicitly suggesting who he wants to hear being accused as witches.

Hale is confirming whether Tituba really intends to repent of her association to the devil.

repent: feel or express sincere regret or remorse about one's wrongdoing or sin.

This is the start of the hysteria, where Tituba is the first one to confess to witchcraft. Watch her body language: what emotions is she feeling? What is the main reason for her confession? Did she really commit witchcraft or not?

Remember the comment about her status as a slave early in Act 1, and how this might influence her response here - "but she is also very frightened because her slave sense has warned her that, as always, trouble in this house eventually lands on her back.".

By saying this, Tituba is unwittingly 'admitting' to witchery.

There is great irony in Abigail's words here, especially from what the audience has discovered about her.

Similar to how she earlier promised that "I would never hurt Betty. I love her dearly.".

Refers to common 'signs' of the devil's presence, or as what Hale believes to be are the signs.

licentious: ​behaving in a way that is not considered sexually moral

Parris here makes a comment on the Salem society, insinuating that not everyone in Salem is as pure and righteous. The irony behind his statement is that he himself is not sinless too.

Nobody likes Giles in the Salem society.

Giles does not know how to pray. He is not a religious man.

connotation of "moral superiority": Rebecca is not being proud but logical.

Parris is concerned about his reputation, and takes offence ("resentment") that Rebecca Nurse might be insinuating that he was not doing God's work iin trying to get his daughter to wake up.

Hale is surprised that Parris would permit dancing because Puritan laws did not allow for entertainment (see Extract 1).

Putnam, like his wife, is quick to conclude that witchcraft is the reason behind Betty's condition.

Putnam enjoys being noticed.

remarkably or impressively great in extent, size, or degree.

Prior to the witch hunt, there weren't any socially sanctioned means for expressing ill will against a neighbour. The religious code required each citizen to love his neighbour as himself (Mark 12:31). Any outward expression of of hostility would have been severely frowned upon. This led to a great situation where much resentment was seething below the surface, without any outlet.

Abigail concludes that Betty was whining due to the psalm althought it may not be so. "you" suggests that she is deflecting the blame for Betty's behaviour onto Parris.

meaning: I will summon you in court!

meaning: the area is within my boundaries.

A land dispute is beginning.

Recap:"why is land a big topic for dispute? Why do people dispute one another for it?"

Proctor and GIles are good friends; they jest with each other.

Proctor and Giles know each other well and are friends.

Further reveals how Giles is able to see through the hysteria. He is able to see the real reasons why everybody is suing everybody else and therefore may be able to see why people are being blamed for witchcraft.

So what is this real reason?

Rebecca is encouraging Proctor that he must make amends with Parris. Parris, who is an appointed reverend, holds religious authority. So, in the context of Salem's beliefs, being in conflict with Parris is like breaking one's connection to God.

Proctor is essentially expressing his displeasure with the authority figures in Salem's community. Proctor is a relative outsider and does not support Reverend Parris's leadership.

As the reverend of a Puritan town, Parris is the leading authority figure in the community. Proctor recognizes this and does not support Reverend Parris or those institutions that grant him authority. His comment also foreshadows his decision to challenge Salem's court later in the play. (source)

There is division in the Salem society.

Why do you think the Puritans in Salem are so shocked at Proctor's response?

Hint: how does the Salem Puritan society expect its people to behave?

Shows confidence. Exclamation mark implies a powerful voice. ‘Heart’ suggests his own personal opinion. ‘I think’ could show arrogance and also shows that he values his own opinion which adds to his arrogance.

Here he is referring to the ‘party’ that Putnam and Parris think is against them in the parish. This reflects his honest and open opposition to these two characters.

Although the Quakers may have resembled the Puritans in some religious beliefs and practices, they differed with them over the necessity of compelling religious uniformity in society.

https://coredifferences.com/difference-between-puritans-and-quakers/

Proctor's earlier words about Parris being focused on hell and judgment ring true: "I have enough trouble without I come five mile to hear him preach only hellfire and bloody damnation."

John Proctor speaks for those in the parish who dislike Parris’s negative preaching. 'damnation' - the act of sending someone to hell or the state of being in hell

Parris is using his authority as a preacher to influence the Salem villagers to listen to him.

John Proctor is sarcastic, implying how Parris has not preached from the Bible/"hardly ever mentione[d] God" for a while.

Giles is sarcastic here, showing his disagreement with Parris' complaints.

Parris thinks he should deserve a more lavish preaching salary. His comment indirectly shows his disdain for what a farmer does.

Parris is now becoming increasingly defensive because of Proctor's criticism of his preaching.

Parris is implying that it is the adults who sin, not their children.

i.e. Rebecca agrees that some villagers in Salem are not bringing their children to church due to Parris' preaching.

Why does Putnam bring this up? What is he trying to insinuate about John Proctor?

What does this suggest about Putnam then?

'acreage' = amount of land

Proctor again puts Putnam in his place, reminding him that in Salem, things are decided according to one's character and not wealth. This also shows Proctor's contempt for people like Putnam who think they can use their money and power to dominate those who are less well off.

When she then says that "There are wheels within wheels in this village, and fires within fires!" what she means is that there are secrets at work, conspiracies and plots among those townsfolk who are in league with the Devil and who do his work for him.

When Tituba names Goody Osburn as a witch at the end of Act One, this confirms all Mrs. Putnam's suspicions. She says, "I knew it! Goody Osburn were midwife to me three times [....]. My babies always shriveled in her hands!" It is easy to believe because Mrs. Putnam wants so badly to believe it. She wants there to be an answer to her question, and this would seem to be one.

Source

Mrs Putnam is jealous of Rebecca as the latter is "twenty-six times a grandma" while all of Mrs Putnam's children, except for Ruth, have died.

Rebecca is peaceful and does not like quarrels. She shows her wisdom in her intervention here.

Her comment also implies that Salem usually experiences public conflict.

Proctor dares to oppose Putnam (remember that Thomas Putnam is a man of power in the Salem village). The use of metaphor here "a bag to swing around your head" suggests Proctor's warning that he will not allow Putnam to manipulate the town for his own gain.

In the play, Proctor is often bold and blunt in his statements and tends to offend both Parris and Putnam.

Note that Putnam is contributing to the mass hysteria by stating a lie: no children has died.

"loose spirits" refers to superstitions.

This shows how the village of Salem has an underlying fear of witchcraft, thus resulting in rumous about the influence of witchcraft on the behaviour of young girls.

Miller as the narrator alludes to how Rebecca would later be accused as a witch, and implies that the reason for her being charged was because of past disputes between the Putnams and the Nurses.

Theme of VENGEANCE: what can you learn about revenge that characters take upon others?

Betty is calmed by Rebecca's presence.

Note some descriptions about Rebecca in this extract to form impressions of her character.

Mrs Putnam rushes to echo this conclusion that Betty is reacting advsersely to anything of God, therefore implying she is under witchcraft.

Mrs Putnam disputes Rebecca's advice earlier. Is this dispute a sign of the Putnams' underlying resentment for her because Rebecca is a Nurse?

Rebecca is logical and experienced with children.

Cross-reference to Extract 1: * "Long-held hatreds of neighbours could now be openly expressed, and vengeance taken, despite the Bible’s charitable injunctions." * "Old scores could be settled on a plane of heavenly combat between Lucifer and the Lord; suspicions and envy of the miserable toward the happy could and did burst out in the general revenge."* *

Members of the Putnam family were the first to sign the charge of Rebecca as a witch.

Both Francis Nurse and his wife Rebecca were respected in society.

Connotes a well-planned and orderly campaign.

What impression of Putnam does this suggest?

From earlier in Extract 1: "Land-lust which had been expressed before by constant bickering over boundaries and deeds, could now be elevated to the arena of morality; once could cry witch against one’s neighbour and feel perfectly justified in the bargain."

Land was highly sought after as the possession of more land equated to more power and money, especially since the land could grow crops to sell.

Theme of jealousy

To settle both sides of a dispute in a fair manner.

"light" to represent: - her love for John Proctor - her enlightenment of the true nature of society: Salem people are not perfect despite their religious obedience.

Desperate and indignant cry of Abigail that shows her belief that John Proctor still loves her.

Through their affair, Abigail accuses Proctor of showing her the extent of which hypocrisy governs social relations in Salem ("lying lessons").

Perhaps her cynicism about the Salem society puts her in a good position to take advantage of the witch trials for personal gain and revenge?

Abigail accuses Proctor of destroying her innocence by taking her virginity ("put knowledge in my heart").

Proctor's outward morality hides immoral thoughts and actions (i.e. the affair). Yet Proctor's self-hatred regarding his affair with Abigail actually proves his morality: he hates himself for being immoral.

Referring to blood.

Abigail uses intimidation to create an atmosphere of fear that pervades the entire play later on.

This is the first demonstration of her ability to terrorise others. This threat from her foreshadows Abby's accusations of witchcraft against others.

Likely animal's blood.

Abigail's evil action that night is revealed. How do we know it is evil? Because Abigail had evil intentions as revealed shortly after.

"collapsing" and "dissolved": the use of diction here portray Betty in a helpless state, evoking sympathy for her. At the same time, this also emphasises how threatening Abigail appears to the other girls.

Theme of FEAR: Intimidation terrorises others to create fear in people, which makes them more submissive/obedient to those in power.

Abigail's evil intentions – Now it's revealed that Abigail really did push well beyond the strict religious laws of Salem in hopes of killing Elizabeth Proctor. Abigail is more than just a liar: she's capable of murder.

Theme of DESIRES: Is everyone permitted to pursue their own desires? How is Abigail's pursuit of her desires dangerous?

Visual imagery conveys her great fear of Abigail, she is acting as if the wall can protect her.

Sarcastic tone; Mercy is mocking Mary about her timid nature (Mary's fear is the reason why Mary wants to tell the whole truth).

"we'll" is italicised to show Abigail's emphasis that Mary Warren is as guilty as the other girls (i.e. they will be punished together).

Mary Warren's fearful tone shows how she does not believe there was not any real witchcraft in what the girls did that night. This is why she is so keen to come clean.

Abigail is established as a liar.

Abigail resorts to violence to shut Betty up. Word intensity of "smashes" shows how aggressive and violent she can be when she wants to get her own way.

This contrasts with her demure and respectful atittude towards Parris earlier (e.g. her promise that she "would never hurt Betty"). As the audience, we see her "endless capacity for dissembling".

Abigail does not want to show her fear, which suggests that what the girls did was more than "we did dance".

Parris is paranoid about his position as a reverend in Salem.

Word intensity conveys Parris' anger at Abigail and his determination to find out the truth about what the girls were up to in the forest.

Parris cannot deny what he saw.

This is what Parris fears.

Ironic: Abigail hits Betty and scolds her later on.

Parris is desperate to deny all witchcraft. Why is he so afraid to entertain this possibility of witchcraft?

Visual imagery suggests Parris' desperate denial of witchcraft as the cause for Betty's condition.

"Now" conveys how her worry and apprehension is not completely genuine.

Abigail Williams enjoys pretending.

Parris feels helpless about his daughter's condition.

People worked hard so as to survive the harsh winter. There was no time to act without sense of judgement.

Symbol of little light ("small-windowed", "dark") – suggests not a lot of clarity or a lot of secrets in Salem

manifestation—the act of showing something

To be part of a society means that you have to repress some of yourself, but how much?

Repression is always necessary but how much?

Lust confession disguised as a witch accusation (so it would seem like the man was confessing out of his good and religious duty to the community).

These people are dressing up their conflicts with one another as the fight between good and evil ("elevated to the arena of morality")! It’s all about revenge, but the Puritans disguise these attempts as them trying to seek out the devil.

At the very heart of it, these people do not want to take responsibility over their disagreements with one another, and seek to win these conflicts by dressing it up as a religious battle.

Miller here explores how the Puritans were really no different from others in their desire for revenge and their desire to succeed in the world througn accumulation of wealth and land.

Power used to be in the hands of only the people voted and placed in authority (repressive theocracy). As the witch hunt began and continued on, more power and freedom was given to the people of Salem because they could actually speak individually and also give accounts of other people. By suddenly being given more power, there was an abrupt change in society, a panic set in.

"to express publicly his guilt and sins, under the cover of accusations against the victims" – this means that people accused others as a means of expressing their own guilt over their own wrongdoing (the accusers were the one who are wrong!) >> scapegoating

According to Miller, the cause of the Witch trials did not stem from the outside influences of Satan, but rather from the greed and evil of the Puritan people as well as the contradictions of Puritan society.

Because of this internal corruption, not because of the outside influences of Satan, 19 people were executed by the government during the Salem Witch Trials.

Despite Biblical commands to love one another (e.g. Ten Commandments), the Salem Puritans refused to forget and forgive any grudges between each other.

personal grudges

"exclusion and prohibition" – restrictive freedom in the Salem theocracy

Contradiction 2: the Puritan theocracy was so busy protecting against outside corruption (which was why they repressed anything that would bring "disunity"), they could not see that internal corruption was the biggest threat to their society.

The first contradiction was that the Purtian government in Salem was restrictive ("prevent any kind of disunity"). By doing this, the Puritan government limited the freedom of all their people and ultimately created the sort of absolute power that they had first run away from in England (they ran away from the persecution in England).

So they ran away to enjoy religious freedom, only to restrict such freedom in their own government. The irony!

contradiction

i.e. Miller the narrator argues that the Puritan society was built upon many contradictions.

a system of government in which priests rule in the name of God or a god. (e.g. the Bible is used as a rule book)

The devout beliefs of the Puritans in Salem made it easy for collective fear and hysteria to build in society.

hysteria – when someone has a very strong emotion that is unmanageable. Often, this means a very strong sense of fear.

A military or political group that rules its country after taking power by force (e.g. Myanmar).

When people are frustrated, they tend to take out their frustrations on others.

Puritans were settlers in Massachusetts. Here, Miller is giving an example of another group of settlers (Englishmen trying to settle in Virginia). This example is to show how the Puritans managed to survive the Massachusetts men and become successful settlers, unlike the Englishmen in Jamestown. The Puritans succeeded by: - they banded together and created a communal society with “…an auto-cratic and very devoted leadership.” - worked together and “were united from top to bottom by a commonly held ideology” (i.e. united by religion)

The metaphor of a candle suggests that the Puritans believed their beliefs/values system is the way that the world should follow, that it would only benefit everyone ("light the world").

The Puritans felt that their faith was the only right way, and because of this history of being persecuted, they were deeply protective and defensive of their beliefs. >> Intolerance of other beliefs, only their way is right.

It is also interesting where the girls danced was in the forest, as if foreshadowing the societal harm such mischief brought. later on.

The forest was a place that was unknown, and therefore held danger (especially since Indian tribes came to invade the Puritan villagers occasionally. This fed their paranoia of what lies outside because they were surrounded by others of different religions (e.g. Indians).

Their devour religious beliefs fed this paranoia, which as Miller alluded to earlier, led to a fear of witches.

Refers to how the Puritans, being religious people, think that they're better than others. This arrogance was also why they were intolerant of other beliefs, like the Indians. This is also indicated by use of diction "heathen" previously.

A person who does not belong to a widely held religion (especially one who is not a Christian, Jew, or Muslim) as regarded by those who do.

Salem was surrounded by unexplored forest that the people believed was occupied by the Devil.

There is a practice of a villager patrol team where they walk around to note down names of people who do not follow the way of life revolving around religion and hard work.

Ensuring the morality standards of the village requires surveillance.

People in Salem tend to stick their noses into other people's business. And it's Miller's opinion (the playwright is inserting his opinion as narrator here) that it's this interfering attitude which helped to create the conditions for the subsequent witch-craze.

Simile conveys how the weather and conditions of land were not favourable for growing crops.

to act or move slowly

never-do-wells – jobless people

'creed' – set of beliefs

The Puritans did not allow entertainment or any "selfish" acts. They believed that theater and other entertainment distracted people from work and God.

These are harsh rules that they abide strictly by as part of their devout way of life.

Puritans didn't celebrate Christmas like other Christian denominations. They also believed that getting the day off was a time to pray to God as a opposed to relaxing/ doing things for their own enjoyment.

IMPRESSION: Puritans are pious people (i.e. devoutly religious).

What people outside Salem viewed the Puritans as. Puritans refers to the villagers living in Salem who practise a stricter moral code of Christianity than is generally followed.

Winter was cold and harsh.

The Salem society expects children to be seen but not heard (i.e. society considers it unacceptable that children should express their desires). Because of this, children feel repressed that they do not have the chance to express themselves personally. This could be one reason why Abigail and the other girls rebel.

insecure; Parris is very conscious of his reputation and authority as he perceives many actions to be done with offence to him

the juxtaposition between the word “despite” and the high word intensity of “best” suggest how Parris’ great longing to be welcomed by the villagers in Salem is not satisfied. In his eyes, he feels like he is not welcome by the village, therefore feeling “persecuted” and unfairly treated.

Irony

A new building.

Overall, this setting shows a very humble household with no extra furniture or lavish decor – extravagance and excess were associated with being sinful. Since this is a house of a reverend (a religious leader), Parris' house is simple and clean.

A typical Salem house is simple and clean.

Vague. Do you mean negative?

From "please tell us why" and "hide away", the personification of the blue sky portrays the weather as a living thing.

!

In contrast, the speaker asserts that this person is unique and one-of-a-kind. There is a comforting and reassuring tone.

The use of simile suggests that this person feels insecure and unconfident about themselves. I can reflect on the theme of identity, and how we see ourselves often affects the way we think and behave.

The repeated interjection of "Oh, oh, oh" suggests that the speaker believes this person will leave people in wonder and amazement.

"baby" is a term of endearment. This suggests the affection the speaker has for this person.

The use of diction in "still" suggests this person whom the speaker is addressing has not reached the end. Instead, the speaker is suggesting there are opportunities up ahead for this person. The tone in "still" is one of conviction and confidence, showing the speaker's great belief in this person.

The repetition of the chorus shows its importance in the song.

Visual imagery evokes a sense of happiness, joy, and freedom.

From "creepin'", I can infer that the night is portrayed as suspicious and secretive. Night seems to come without the speaker's knowledge.

The picture shows how suspicious and sinister Mr. Night is portrayed to be "creepin' over" to the speaker.

From "the day we've waited for", I can infer that the speaker feels anticipation for Mr. Blue Sky to return.

"his hand is on your shoulder" seems to suggest the speaker feeling overwhelmed by night time. The darkness is overwhelming.

I feel afraid for the speaker, as he seems uncomfortable and overwhelmed.

Visual imagery evokes a sense of happiness, joy, and freedom. The sibilance in this line brings a calming effect, drawing the listener to imagining a perfect day that is further emphasised in the following lines.

This shows the use of visual imagery - suggests happiness and joy. The feeling of being carefree is also repeated in the following lines.

This shows the seriousness of her illness, and how the many treatments received have been draining for her

The mixed emotions within Conor's mother show tension - while she is happy to see her son, she is frightened and saddened by how she cannot recover from her illness.

"smile didn't match her eyes" implies that Conor's mother is not truly happy. Conor is also able to read his mother's expression very well - shows their close relationship.

the tone is sad and regretful - Conor's mother knows that her illness is beyond cure

Conor's mother's is seated upright and is smiling - showing more life and energy

visual and auditory imagery to highlight her deep sadness and regret towards revealing the truth to Conor

Conor is feeling hopeful; use of personification to show Conor's great hope in his mother's recovery