Discussion Topic
The intimidation of Mary Warren in The Crucible
Summary:
Mary Warren faces significant intimidation in The Crucible. Initially, she is pressured by Abigail and the other girls to conform to their false accusations. Later, in court, she is intimidated by Judge Danforth and the other officials to maintain her testimony. Ultimately, fear of retribution from Abigail and the court forces her to retract her statements, showcasing the pervasive fear and manipulation in Salem.
Who intimidates Mary Warren in Act 1 of The Crucible?
Arthur Miller's The Crucible is set in Puritan town of Salem at the time of the infamous witch trials. In this story, as in history, the ringleader of the girls is Abigail Williams.
As the story opens, we learn that some of the girls in town spent some time in the forest last night, dancing and conjuring spells with Tituba.They know this could get them in serious trouble with their families and their community, so they have to cover themselves. Betty Parris does this by feigning a coma of some kind, and Abigail does it by lying.
Abigail did the worst deeds of all the girls, so she has the most to lose. When a frightened Mary Warren enters the room, she tells Abby and the others what is happening in the town:
I just come from the farm; the whole country’s talkin’ witchcraft! They’ll be callin’ us witches,...
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Abby! ... Abby, we’ve got to tell. Witchery’s a hangin’ error, a hangin’ like they done in Boston two year ago! We must tell the truth, Abby! You’ll only be whipped for dancin’, and the other things!
Abigail makes the first threat, reminding Mary Warren that they will all be whipped if that is the case. When Mary has the nerve to remind Abigail that all she did last night was look, the second, more intimidating moment comes from Mercy Lewis.
Mercy, moving menacingly toward Mary: Oh, you’re a great one for lookin’, aren’t you, Mary Warren? What a grand peeping courage you have!
Once Betty "wakes up" and has a great argument with Abigail, Mary Warren is more frightened than ever. She begins to wail, fearing they are all going to be caught and punished. Again it is Abigail who threatens Mary:
Abigail, starting for Mary: I say shut it, Mary Warren!
Two of the girls act and speak in an intimidating manner toward Mary Warren. Both Mercy Lewis and Abigail Williams intimidate the frightened girl, but Abigail is the one who threatens her.
How does Danforth intimidate Mary Warren in Act 3 of The Crucible?
Before Deputy Governor Danforth turns his attention to Marry Warren, he has Giles Corey arrested and charges him with contempt of court, which not only demonstrates his authority but reminds Mary Warren what will happen if she challenges him. After Mary Warren admits that John Proctor did not threaten her to testify that the girls were lying, Danforth intimidates her by raising his voice and condemning her for callously giving false testimonies against innocent citizens during the proceedings. He continues to intimidate Mary by reminding her that God damns all liars and mentions that she will serve time in prison regardless if she is telling the truth or not by saying,
I will tell you this--you are either lying now, or you were lying in the court, and in either case you have committed perjury and you will go to jail for it. You cannot lightly say you lied, Mary (Miller, 102).
Danforth continues to intimidate Mary Warren by forcing her to confront Abigail and her followers, who are adamant that Mary is lying. Judge Hathorne then asks Mary to demonstrate how she fainted in court but Mary says that she cannot replicate how she acted during the proceedings. Danforth continues to intimidate Mary Warren by raising his voice, questioning her in an accusing manner, and forcing her to confront Abigail and her followers.