Act I:
Quote 1: “The witch-hunt was a perverse manifestation of the panic which set in among all classes.”
Act I, page 6.
Context: The quote provides some background information for wait the attitudes of the puritan people dwelling in Salem Massachusetts during the witch-hunt. In this act of the play, the fear of witches and the underlying work of evil, becomes prominent in the community. Even though it is indefinite weather citizens are cooperating with demons, it has created much strife among the people dwelling there. In fact, a vast number of people are worried that the powers of the devil will soon take hold of them and those in their community of these alleged “witches” are not stopped.
Response: In this …show more content…
I want the light of God, I want the sweet love of Jesus! I danced for the Devil: I saw him; I wrote in his book; I go back to Jesus; I kiss His hand. I saw Sarah Good with the Devil! I saw Goody Osburn with the Devil” I saw Bridget Bishop with the Devil!”
Act I, page 45.
Context: At this point in the play, there is a fear of witchcraft because the daughter of Reverend Parris, Betty is ill and actual believed to be bewitched. His niece Abigail and many of the other young girls in Salem were trying to practice witchcraft with a servant woman named Tituba. To deflect such accusation, Abigail admits she dance with the devil, but that she was not the only one.
Response: In the quote, it is highlighted how people will blame others to avoid being accused or blamed themselves. During the McCarthyism era, many “anti-communists” would blame others of being associated with communism. when, they just wanted to avoid the blame for their own lies and slander of the character of those they accused. Miller tries to reinforce the idea when he has the character of Abigail (who over is the one who lies the most to ruin reputations) go and blame those other girls as