Young Goodman Brown Reading Notes
young_goodman_brown_reading_notes.docx |
Act II Quote
"Until an hour before the devil fell, God thought him beautiful in Heaven." (Miller, 59)
Hale said this metaphor after Proctor was surprised that Rebecca had been convicted of murder. What Hale meant is that appearances can be deceiving; although Rebecca seems like a sweet old lady, she is actually a murderer. This quote is significant because it is fraught with irony; even though it is referring to Rebecca, it is also applicable to Abigail. Abigail is the source of all the worry and paranoia in Salem and yet she is widely regarded as angelic, maybe even as the voice of truth. This quote foreshadows that she will continue to be regarded as innocent until her true colors are finally revealed. This theme of deceiving appearances relates to George Orwell's novel, 1984. Although she is the protagonist's most trusted companion throughout the story and is the keeper of his secrets, when push came to shove, she was quick to throw him under the bus which shows to save herself. Although the situation is quite different from the one in The Crucible, it still shows that people aren't always who they seem to be.
Hale said this metaphor after Proctor was surprised that Rebecca had been convicted of murder. What Hale meant is that appearances can be deceiving; although Rebecca seems like a sweet old lady, she is actually a murderer. This quote is significant because it is fraught with irony; even though it is referring to Rebecca, it is also applicable to Abigail. Abigail is the source of all the worry and paranoia in Salem and yet she is widely regarded as angelic, maybe even as the voice of truth. This quote foreshadows that she will continue to be regarded as innocent until her true colors are finally revealed. This theme of deceiving appearances relates to George Orwell's novel, 1984. Although she is the protagonist's most trusted companion throughout the story and is the keeper of his secrets, when push came to shove, she was quick to throw him under the bus which shows to save herself. Although the situation is quite different from the one in The Crucible, it still shows that people aren't always who they seem to be.
This image relates to the story because even though someone might sound like they are spreading peace and are speaking the truth, they might be venomous on the inside. This is the case for Abigail in the play because although people think she is truthful and trustworthy, she is actually spewing hatred and spreading poisonous thoughts throughout Salem.
'I Am' Poem
I am powerful and cunning.
I wonder what would happen if I were caught.
I hear the devil cackle.
I want attention and Proctor's affection.
I am powerful and cunning.
I pretend to be stabbed.
I feel spells being cast by Goody Proctor.
I touch the hearts of people.
I worry my lies will be uncovered.
I cry for my fallen parents.
I am powerful and cunning.
I understand that I am quite influential among those my age.
I say power is everything.
I dream of replacing Goody Proctor.
I try to get my way, no matter what it takes.
I hope my plan works out.
I am powerful and cunning.
I wonder what would happen if I were caught.
I hear the devil cackle.
I want attention and Proctor's affection.
I am powerful and cunning.
I pretend to be stabbed.
I feel spells being cast by Goody Proctor.
I touch the hearts of people.
I worry my lies will be uncovered.
I cry for my fallen parents.
I am powerful and cunning.
I understand that I am quite influential among those my age.
I say power is everything.
I dream of replacing Goody Proctor.
I try to get my way, no matter what it takes.
I hope my plan works out.
I am powerful and cunning.
Act III Quote
"I had never had no wife that be so taken with books, and I thought to find the cause of it." (Miller, 69)
This quote was said by Francis Nurse about his wife Rebecca. He is speaking about how although she reads many books, which he finds peculiar, she is not a witch. This quote is filled with irony. It's quite ironic that knowledge and education are seen as these kind of evil things. In their society's view, the only book worth reading is the Bible. The quote also reveals a lot about this society's mindset. It shows that people label anything they are unfamiliar with as evil and often pin it as supernatural which is the case here, since Rebecca was accused of being a witch. It's also as if the community is purposefully being kept ignorant so that they are easy to manipulate. In addition, Francis Nurse is also comparing Rebecca's affinity for reading as a sort of disease since he speaks of finding 'the cause' behind it. This also reveals a lot about the mindset of this Puritan society. These ideas also relate to the novel Fahrenheit 451 where books were banned because they are considered offensive. This is also the case in The Crucible where any word that is not the word of God is banned and considered immoral.
This quote was said by Francis Nurse about his wife Rebecca. He is speaking about how although she reads many books, which he finds peculiar, she is not a witch. This quote is filled with irony. It's quite ironic that knowledge and education are seen as these kind of evil things. In their society's view, the only book worth reading is the Bible. The quote also reveals a lot about this society's mindset. It shows that people label anything they are unfamiliar with as evil and often pin it as supernatural which is the case here, since Rebecca was accused of being a witch. It's also as if the community is purposefully being kept ignorant so that they are easy to manipulate. In addition, Francis Nurse is also comparing Rebecca's affinity for reading as a sort of disease since he speaks of finding 'the cause' behind it. This also reveals a lot about the mindset of this Puritan society. These ideas also relate to the novel Fahrenheit 451 where books were banned because they are considered offensive. This is also the case in The Crucible where any word that is not the word of God is banned and considered immoral.
This image relates to the quote because in a way it is a representation of how the society in The Crucible thinks; whenever anything unfamiliar arises, they simply dig their heads in the ground and refuse to confront it, or, worse, they choose to attack it. By dealing with things in this way, the Puritans will never learn and will never prosper. Although the Bible is a great text, they refuse to learn anything other than it which in the long run will hinder their society.
Act IV Quote
You cannot hang this sort. There is danger for me. I dare not step out at night!" (Miller, 103)
This quote was said by reverend Parris in reference to Rebecca, Proctor, and Elizabeth. People have been attacking him for helping start the rampant executions and he fears that if people who are well-liked get executed, the attacks will worsen. This relates to the theme of self-preservation that is prevalent throughout the play because instead of being worried about the fact that people will lose their lives for crimes they did not commit, Parris is nervous about how the injustices he has committed will backfire. Self-preservation and reputation are common themes in The Crucible because characters are often seen pointing fingers at others in order to preserve their image and avoid maintain their reputations. One example of this is when, at the beginning of the play, Parris is more concerned about people finding out that his daughter became sick after dancing in the forest than he is about his daughter's health. Parris' obsessions with his public image is in part caused by the strict expectation of the Puritan value which push people to feel like they must always maintain perfection or at least an image of it. In addition, since Parris maintains the same values at the start and end of the play, he is considered a static character.
This quote was said by reverend Parris in reference to Rebecca, Proctor, and Elizabeth. People have been attacking him for helping start the rampant executions and he fears that if people who are well-liked get executed, the attacks will worsen. This relates to the theme of self-preservation that is prevalent throughout the play because instead of being worried about the fact that people will lose their lives for crimes they did not commit, Parris is nervous about how the injustices he has committed will backfire. Self-preservation and reputation are common themes in The Crucible because characters are often seen pointing fingers at others in order to preserve their image and avoid maintain their reputations. One example of this is when, at the beginning of the play, Parris is more concerned about people finding out that his daughter became sick after dancing in the forest than he is about his daughter's health. Parris' obsessions with his public image is in part caused by the strict expectation of the Puritan value which push people to feel like they must always maintain perfection or at least an image of it. In addition, since Parris maintains the same values at the start and end of the play, he is considered a static character.
This image relates to the quote because the cat represents Parris' actual self whereas the shadow is how he would like to be perceived by society. Although he looks like the cat, Paris will go to great measures, often at the expense of others, to maintain the image on that wall, or rather, his image in society.