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People in Salem believed that witches were capable of nearly anything. Some people believed a witch could use her spirit to harm another person. Abigail was stabbed in the stomach with a needle. Instead of coming to the conclusion that Abigail could have stabber herself, everyone is talking about how it must be witchcraft. This quote shows the thoughts of the person in charge of putting the women in jail. Cheever: “‘Tis hard proof! I find here a poppet Good Proctor keeps. I have found it, sir. And in the belly of the poppet a needle’s stuck. I tell you true, Proctor, I never warranted to see such proof of Hell, and I bid you obstruct me not, for I-” (Miller 75) This clearly shows that Cheever is quick to jump to witchcraft and has no intentions of considering any other possibility.
Another person roaming Salem is a man named Hale. He originally came to prove to the town that Parris’s daughter was not affiliated with witchcraft. By this point, Hale is doing more to convince people that there are witches than to show that there aren’t. This quote by Hale shows his accusations to the people of Salem about the witchcraft being from the wrath of God. Hale: “Proctor, I cannot think God be provoked so grandly by such a petty cause. The jails are packed – our greatest judges sit in Salem now – and hangin’s promised. Man, we must look to cause proportionate. Were there murder done, perhaps, and never brought to light? Abomination? Some secret blasphemy that stinks to Heaven? Think on cause, man, and let you help me to discover it. For there’s your way, believe it, there is your only way, when such confusion strikes upon the world. Let you counsel among yourselves; think on your village and what may have drawn from heaven such a thundering wrath upon you all. I shall pray God open up our eyes.” (Miller 79) Hale is blaming everyone for the witchcraft instead of helping them move past their sins.
I agree with you description of Hale.
ReplyDeleteI found your descriptions of the characters interesting.
What would you say about some of the other characters mentioned.
it seems that all of the other characters mentioned, not only in the post, but in the story believe the hysteria with the exception of John Proctor and Mary Warren. Mary is going to help disprove witchcraft and Proctor never had anything to do with it orignialy
DeleteI agree that Hale appears to be promoting the accusations of witchcraft within the community. He is apparently genuinely concerned about the citizens' well being. What sins do you think Hale should be helping the community members move past?
ReplyDeletethe sins in the community seem to be greed for other peoples land, adultery(even if not everyone knows about it), skipping church and not baptizing all of the children, and a general hatered for eachother.
DeleteI agree with you saying that Hale has changed. I thought the quote you used with Abigail was very relevant. Why do you think Hale is changing?
ReplyDeletemy thoughts on the reason hale would change are guild. he is witnessing people dying and finaly seems to realize there is something wrong. it could also be something like hale just realizing something is wrong without the guilt involved. he might have just had a mind blowing moment.
ReplyDelete