Discussion Topic
Quotes and techniques from The Crucible that represent belonging
Summary:
In The Crucible, quotes and techniques that represent belonging include Abigail's manipulation, "I want to open myself!" demonstrating her desire for acceptance, and the use of dramatic irony when characters falsely confess to witchcraft to belong to the community. Miller uses dialogue and tension to explore the human need for social inclusion and the consequences of exclusion.
List techniques and quotes from acts 1 and 2 of The Crucible that connect to belonging.
In the opening scene of The Crucible, Tituba's attitude as she enters Betty's room speaks to the notion of what belonging means to her. Miller describes her as
one does who can no longer bear to be barred from the sight of her beloved, 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.
Tituba has formed an attachment to Betty Parris, but at the same time, she understands that she is the property of Reverend Parris and cannot expect fair or even humane treatment.
When Thomas Putnam enters in act 1, he reminds the reverend "Mr. Parris, I have taken your part in all contention here." His reminder demonstrates that even though he doesn't particularly like or respect Parris, Putnam accepts that as part of living in a Puritan community, he has responsibilities...
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to upholding the unity, or belongingness, of Salem.
Even though Giles Corey and John Proctor have had disagreements in the past and Giles is prone to bringing lawsuits, he leaps to John's defense when Thomas Putnam begins an argument over land boundaries. The bond of friendship between Giles and John and their willingness to stand together against their neighbor underscores that the residents of Salem are prone to factionalism that works against their idea of a religious utopia.
In act 2, when Mary Warren brings the poppet she has made in court to the Proctors and presents it to Elizabeth, it is a small, symbolic gesture of generosity in a society that, by its doctrine, shuns materialism. Mary could have kept the poppet for herself, but she understands the problems in both Salem and the Proctors' home and reaches out to Elizabeth, telling her "We must all love each other now, Goody Proctor."
Parris to Abigail: "There is a faction that is sworn to drive me from my pulplit...I have foughthere three long years to bend these stiff-necked people to me." Parris feels ostracized and like he has to work really hard to belong. He feels jilted and misjudged. This lack of a feeling of belonging later leads him to accept so many of the accusations.
Abigail to John: "Give me a soft word, John...you loved me then and you do now!" Abby wants so desperately to belong to John again, and when he rejects her, she takes matters into her own hands by accusing Elizabeth of witchcraft. "Why, Abigail Williams charge her." (Cheever in Act 2)
Miller uses dialogue and stage directions to describe the tension between John and Elizabeth too. John wants to make things up to her, to feel like he belongs at her side as her husband: "I mean to please you Elizabeth"...(He gets up, goes to her, kisses her. She receives it. With a certain disappointment, he returns to the table.)"
Mary Warren feels quite proud of her role in the courts, or belonging there, and it has given her new bravado: "I'll be gone every day for some time. I'm-I am an official of the court they say." She also feels belonging with Abby and the girls, which is one reason she hesitates to turn on Abby: "I cannot do it, I cannot!"