Imagine that Elizabeth Proctor had told Danforth the truth.
In what way might the outcome of the trials been different? Discuss also who
bears the most guilt for the fate of those hanged in the Salem witch trials –
the girls who accused the innocent people or the judges who sentenced them to
death? Provide examples from the play to support your response.
Thursday, October 31, 2013
The Crucible Act Three
Respond to the following prompt in a minimum of 200 words. You must also reply to at least two classmates' posts. All posts and replies should be thoughtful, well-supported, and clearly written in complete sentences. Proofread before submitting. Posts and replies due by November 22.
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If Elizabeth would've told the truth about John, he and most of the people on trial would have been saved. It's only because Abigail was spiteful that these people died anyways. I think that she and the other girls that cried witch bear the most guilt for the people that died in the Salem witch trials. I mean, what if they would've been telling the truth and the judges didn't believe them? They should've further investigated, and they are guilty, but not as responsible for the guilt as the girls that accused. In Act Three Giles tries to show evidence that his wife isn't a witch; he says, "I have evidence. Why won't you see my evidence?" The judges should have looked into every detail, because these were people's lives on the line. Danforth speaks to Giles by saying, "Do you take it upon yourself to determine what this court shall and what it shall set aside?" Obviously the pride of the court and judges got in the way of the actual reasoning skills and decision making as well as the need for evidence to make a decision.
ReplyDeleteWhile the judges do have a fair share of the blame, I still say Abby has the most blame. Though I have to say that I just hate Abby with the fiery passion of a thousand burning furnaces.
DeleteMatt, a thousand burning furnaces are not near enough. And I can agree with Jessica that the judges were very in the wrong, but no more than Abigail and co.
DeleteIf Elizabeth had told the truth, its likely that less people would've died. I feel that the judges bare more responsibility. There was no material evidence present in the trial, and the judges foolishly relied on rumor and pillowspeak. I don't know if trials as we envision them today had been conceptualized, let alone implemented, at this time. But from a modern perspective, the judges were not doing their jobs properly. Take, for instance, when Proctor's wife is brought in to testify on his behalf. The judges do not even take the time to inform her that Proctor has confessed, and she is immediately taken on her word.
ReplyDeleteThings were very different back then, the judges could get away with just about anything.
DeleteIf Elizabeth had told the truth, less people would have died. The only reason is because Abigail is a little brat who like to point fingers. In this time I suppose it was okay to not have any evidence and the judges could just believe little rumors that they hear. People tried to show evidence but the judges had basically refused to seeing it. The judges were not doing their job properly and because of this people had lost their lives.
ReplyDeleteAgree with all your points, yet I suddenly feel all alone in thinking Abby holds most of the blame.
DeleteHad Elizabeth told the truth, the most obvious change is that her husband would have been spared. However Abby probably would've been revealed for the lying manipulative brat she is, and may have died, as well. This is evident when Danforth says, "And if she tell me child, it were for harlotry, may God spread his mercy upon you." This brings me to my next point, which is that Abby bears most of the responsibility for those who died because she lead the girls.
ReplyDeleteIf Elizabeth had admitted truthfully that her husband and Abigail made Shakespeare's metaphorical "beast with two backs", there could have been two different outcomes. Firstly: if this truly discredited Abigail's name and showed a clear reason to lie about Elizabeth's involvement with the devil's work, she may have lost her leadership status in her little clique and a lot of people would have survived, most notably Rebecca and Proctor. Secondly, if it failed to stop Abigail it still would have destroyed Proctor's name for adultery and not only would Parris have not pushed so strongly for a confession but Proctor most likely wouldn't have backed down from confessing to witchcraft and saving his life. This is because his name would have already been ruined, so they most likely wouldn't have made a public example of him specifically and even if they did he would have no honorable name to protect.
ReplyDeleteAs for who should bear the most guilt I think this would clearly be the judges. Not necessarily because they were more responsible, but because they seemed to have better morals. I see the question as asking who feels the worst about it, and I find it obvious that the judges feel the most guilt. The girls clearly had some mental issues to begin with, which becomes very evident in the first act through their devil worshipping, the drinking of blood, and nonchalant attitude about it all. Not to mention that Abigail turned into a prostitute. Whereas the judges were respectable adults in the town who were wrapped around the pinkies of a group of girls which resulted in the death and suffering of several innocents without proper trial. They were also the ones who went to the extremes to get confessions of witch craft, for example when they "pressed" poor Giles in act 4. The girls were indirectly responsible for the death and torture, but the judges signed the death notes and decided upon the torture. They should bear the most guilt.