Discussion Topic
Proctor's quotation to bolster Mary Warren's bravery in The Crucible
Summary:
In The Crucible, John Proctor encourages Mary Warren's bravery by telling her, "Do that which is good, and no harm shall come to thee." This quotation is meant to bolster her courage and remind her to stay truthful despite the fear and pressure she faces.
What quotation does Proctor use to bolster Mary Warren's bravery in Act 3 of The Crucible?
In Act 3, John Proctor does, in fact, twice refer to the same scripture in his wish to encourage Mary Warren and to strengthen her resolve. When he first speaks to her in court before taking out her deposition, he tells her:
Remember the angel, what he say to the boy. Hold to it, now; there is your rock.
Proctor is alluding to the book of Tobit, one of the books of the Apocrypha, which is seen by some as part of the Bible, while others do not acknowledge it. The story relates the experience of Tobias, the son of a deeply religious man (Tobit) who fell in love with Sara, a woman plagued by a demon that killed each of her seven previous husbands.
Tobit managed to defeat the demon on his wedding night with the help of the archangel Raphael. The angel had advised Tobias to "Do that...
Unlock This Answer Now
Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
which is good, and no harm will come to thee." Proctor later refers to the same verse but is unable to complete the line because of Abigail's intervention.
In the first instance, Proctor wants Mary to be strong, and he appeals to not only her reason but also her religious conviction. He is advising her to be like Tobias, implying that by doing good, she will have divine protection, and no harm will befall her. Just as in Tobias's situation, she will be able to overcome the demons plaguing Salem.
Proctor is indirectly referring to Abigail and the other girls who have managed to deceive the court and many others by lying about the presence of witches and the practice of witchcraft. Their testimony has led to many being accused and incarcerated, including Proctor's wife, Elizabeth. Mary is there to prove, once and for all, that what she, Abigail, and the other girls have been doing was all a hoax. Proctor hopes that her testimony will finally convince the court of his wife's and others' innocence, which will lead to their release.
When Mary Warren starts her testimony, her credibility is questioned when she is asked to faint as easily as she claims they have been able to do. Mary cannot, for she does not "have a sense of it." At this point, Abigail suddenly puts on an act stating that she is feeling a "cold wind." Proctor desperately grabs her and cries out that she is a whore. His actions lead to Elizabeth being called forth to testify why she dismissed Abigail. Elizabeth fails to mention her real suspicion and Proctor is left helpless.
Abigail senses an advantage, and she puts on an amazingly convincing act in which she claims that Mary's spirit is threatening her in the form of a yellow bird. The other girls soon follow her lead, and Mary Warren is eventually completely distraught and overwhelmed. Proctor, realizing that everything is falling apart, again calls on Mary saying:
Mary, remember the angel Raphael—do that which is good and—
He does not get a chance to complete the quote, because Abigail interjects and cries out that the supposed bird is preparing to swoop down and harm her. His appeal is ineffective and Mary, in absolute despair, turns against him and accuses him of doing the devil's work and trying to force her to join him and sign the Devil's book. The result is that Proctor is arrested and taken to jail.
What quote does Proctor use to encourage bravery in Mary in The Crucible?
Proctor brought Mary Warren to the courts to tell the judges that "it were all pretense", meaning, the girls were all pretending, and never saw any spirits. Mary was terrified, because she knew that at any moment the girls could turn on her and accuse her of witchcraft. Abby had already outright threatened them in Act One: "I will bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder you."
So, she spent a week gathering the courage to even come to the court, and once there, she was so terrified that Proctor told her, "Do that which is good and no harm shall come to thee", a quote from the angel Raphael to the boy Tobias. And, to give her credit, she tried, she really did. Unfortunately,Proctor's words of comfort didn't hold, and she chickened out in the end and turned on him.