Cause of the witch-hunt
There is no doubt that the “vindictive” Putnam is the “guiding hand behind the outcry”.
As soon as the “screaming” and “whimpering” Betty and the affrighted Ruth become speechless, unable to “bear the Lord’s name”, the Putnams are among the first to spread the news. Putnam states: “That is a notorious sign of withcraft afoot, Goody Nurse, a prodigious sign.”
There are those who exploit the crisis for personal gain: Corey states that Thomas Putnam “is killing his neighbours for their land.” (87)
Miller explains in his commentary that “long held hatreds could now be openly expressed and vengeance taken”. It becomes “patriotic and holy” to accuse one’s neighbour of witchcraft and one can feel “perfectly justified in the bargain”.
All scores, as Miller suggests, can now be settled “on a plane of heavenly combat between Lucifer and the Lord”.
Miller suggests that this cycle of accusations which is played out symbolically by the witch-hunt substitutes for the lack of “rituals for the washing away of sins”.
Dancing with the devil is a “hangin” offence. Abigail secretly drinks “a charm to kill Goody Proctor”.
Leaders
Governor Danforth threatens Mary Warren both verbally, ‘you will confess yourself or you will hang” and physically when, as Miller notes in the stage directions, he “turns her roughly to face him” .
As Danforth consistently points out, the people in Salem are either “with the court or against it”.
Parris is fearful of the “faction” who has “sworn to drive me from my pulpit:” and seizes upon the shrill cry of witchcraft to silence this “factional “ dissent.
Parris is annoyed that the “party” or “faction” is beginning to question him. He expects obedience: “It is not for you to say what is good for you to hear!”. And Proctor, who is struggling with his own “vision of decent conduct”, admits, “I like not the smell of this ‘authority’”
The Reverend appears to be one of those who Miller suggests use the idea of “diabolism” or the “Old Boy” in order to terrify his congregation. He preaches “hellfire and damnation” and, Proctor states that “I am sick of Hell!”.
Rebecca also points out that “there are many that quail to bring their children” to church.
The Reverend equates his sermons about damnation with the need for people to be “mindful of their obligations towards this ministry”.
He believes that he is the “Lord’s man in the parish”; and a “minister is not to be so lightly crossed and contradicted”, especially not one who is a “graduate of Harvard College”.
Miller believes that the use of the “Old Boy” or Lucifer was also “used time and time again in every age to whip men into a surrender to a particular church” or ideology such as communism or capitalism.
During the 1960s, the McCarthy-style witch-hunts targeted “any man who is not reactionary in his views” and is therefore “open to the charge of alliance with the Red hell”.
Rebecca Nurse states, “let us rather blame ourselves”, is one of the first “decent” people accused of witchcraft, and in her case, by the envious Mrs Putnam, who recognises that this “is no silly season”.
Danforth: “Twelve are already executed” and he believes that any “postponement speaks a floundering on my part; reprieve or pardon must cast doubt upon the guilt of them that died till now”. (113)
The courageous citizens in Salem
In a magnanimous, but self-doubting spirit, the Reverend Hale admits the problems of his “bright confidence” and terrible pride.
At 83 years of age, Giles Corey’s physical strength symbolises his moral fortitude. Miller inserts in the stage directions, “He is knotted with muscle. Canny, inquisitive, and still powerful”. He recognises the trouble that’s been brewing for years, and asks them to “think on it now, it’s a deep thing and dark as a pit”. Once when asked what “frighted you”, in the shape of an animal hog, he replies “I do not know that I ever spoke that word in my life”
Elizabeth Proctor admits that she kept a “cold house” and Proctor tells her, “your justice would freeze beer”. She admits, “suspicion kissed you when I did; I never knew how I should say my love. It were a cold house I kept”. .. “Forgive me John – I never knew such goodness in the world!”
Proctor: “I cannot mount the gibbet like a saint. It is a fraud. I am not that man.” He refuses to sign his name to the confession.
(To Rev Hale) Proctor: “You have made your magic now , for now I do think I see some shred of goodness in John Proctor”.
Rebecca: “Let you fear nothing. Another judgement waits us all”.
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