3. Arthur Miller, Viking Press New York,NY:1953

First off I don't get why Danforth would think that Proctor would see all the people that others saw with the devil. he could've seen somebody totally different and they just assume that the same people will always show up at the devil's side, like they're all trying to get John Proctor. I was surprised that he was kind of selling out, but I couldn't blame him. Him and his wife were going through hell and she was pregnant, so I guess that's kind of a reason to live. He started out agreeing with them, but when they wanted documentation he kind of cracked. He didn't want to become a sell out if other people would be a witness to it, his pride got the best of him. It sucks how it was either lie or die in this Christian village. Most of the disputes were over jealousy and land, but when the fever died down, nobody wanted the land. Mr. parris got what he deserved, getting voted out of office. His hate for John Proctor was so great that I bet he loved it when he was confessing, because I bet a part of him knew that the truth had flown out the window a long time ago and that Proctor was in a lose lose situation. Of course Proctor chose death instead of selling out, Abagail mentioning Elizabeth Proctor's name was for nothing, John was just brought down with her and died instead. How can such a child be so vicious and naive, so quick to lie. I never understood how some one could be so vile, but then again I've never really met anybody that would have a man's wife hanged so she could swoop in for the grab. So she says she loves him, but according to her beliefs God is love, and if she was following the word she would've found a good man, one who wasn't already married. I never got cheating either, and then calling it love. If she's going to cheat on his wife, then what makes you think he wouldn't do the same to you. I don't hate John Proctor, Arthur Miller set it up so all you could do was pity him and hate Abigail.

2. The Crucible, Arthur Miller, Viking Press New York,NY:1953

I wonder how Abigail would know that Mary would give the poppet to Elizabeth Proctor. Seems like that question will go unanswered. I know Abagail was behind her when she was making it, but the play never indicated that Mary was all "I'm going to give this to Elizabeth Proctor". It seems like the girls were trying to get rid of all the women, since they were cursing people. Now they seemed like misguided harlots that danced in the woods and blamed it on "witches", which were well known women throughout the community. In that case, the adults have seemingly set a bad example, with exceeding expectations and then when confessing they used scare tactics. Some people were forced to admit things they didn't do in order to live. It was a domino of lies, and it didn't want to end. Seems like none of them were good Christians, only want-to-bees that went about it the wrong way. It shows the motivation a religion can give you, whether good or bad. With something to believe in your life has more meaning and you feel like you have a purpose. So many people in The Crucible wanted to have a purpose, to achieve greatness, and expected to achieve it by going against their own supposed morals. Makes you wonder if they ever really took a good look at the bible or just recited all the right verses like a good little Christian. John and Elizabeth Proctor's life, made me wonder if things such as cheating could ever be forgiven. If it would always leave a hole, that can't help but get bigger and bigger. I'm sure they'll be alright though, because they aren't puppets that follow the crowd. The betrayal by Mary was messed up though. She was pressured, scared, and young; when she tried to tell the truth, there seemed no possible way for it to be accepted. It would only drag her down and she would be labeled as a liar any way. The devil didn't have to disguise himself in this village because he was already all around them.

The Crucible, Arthur Miller, Viking Press New York,NY:1953

I find it quite comical that right when you start reading it, the characters all come off as jealous and shady, as they all have their own hidden agenda. Reverend Parris, in denial of seeing the girls dance naked, would deny it and expect for good to still come of the girls. As two have fallen ill, they see the only choice they have is to cover their own asses no matter the cost or the blood shed. The society has many faults, their take on religion being the cause. I think it's very important for the reader not to see Christianity as a bad religion, but see the different ways people take it in. Alothough everyone was supposedly walking with God, they were quick to lie and quick to believe anything you tell them. They thought that people with the most land were blessed by God, and that status gave you power. Of course, human greed got the best of them and although some may have had a lot of land and power, they got it by ungodly means. To call themselves blessed and walking with God was a joke. In my opinion, the Salem witch trials only happened out of pure greed. I caught the line when John Proctor missed one of the ten commandments, Thou shall not commit adultery. That was a slap in the face and a that's what you get moment. All in all, John Proctor seems to be the most sane, and he sees that these people are corrupt while the religion is not. I also saw the relation of the story to times today. It's not rare, a guy cheating on his wife with a younger woman, him coming to his wits and ending it and then the jealous woman tries to ruin him. People are so concerned with not repeating history, but it makes it harder not to when people's actions are still the same throughout history. I also like the word harlot, as opposed to a whore.