Significance of quotes in “The Crucible” (Essay Sample)

Name:
Instructor:
Course:
Date:
Significance of quotes in “The Crucible”
"Abby, I may think of you softly from time to time. But I will cut off my hand before I'll ever reach for you again. Wipe it out of mind. We never touched, Abby." (Miller 23). This statement is made by Proctor to Abigail when she (Abigail) tries to persuade Proctor to love her and leave the wife for her. Proctor is however sorry for having had an affair with Abigail and tries to convince her that he cannot be in love with her. Euphemism is employed to by Proctor to talk of the affair between him and Abigail which is rather embarrassing to him. He uses a language, though figurative but also does not explicitly state the embarrassments. This statement reveals the honest and secretive nature of Proctor. He is honest and does not want to keep lying to Abigail that he feels it as a mistake to have been involved with her. It relates with the theme of reputation in which he has to keep the affair a secret and away from public eye. John is highly concerned about his reputation. Today, we have well known leaders having clandestine affairs which they keep away from their followers. In most cases, they even resign from offices to guard their reputation as a result of such behavior.
"I like not the smell of this `authority'." (Miller 31). Proctor makes this statement to ascertain that he does not like Paris’s judgment and he would join hands with his enemies to bring him down. This quote reveals Proctor’s honest and impatient character traits he has. Metaphorically he refers to the deeds as a bad smell. He does not like the fact that Putnam is using his wealth to assume a vote for his suggestion. Paris also accuses Proctor of forming a faction to oust him. The theme of intolerance is manifested in at this point where Parris is against anyone who has different ideas from him. He accuses Proctor as a kind of a rebel when he talks to him about followers. In today’s political and even religious groups, there are usually leaders who are deemed to make every right choice. Carrying a different thought is considered some form of rebellion towards the party or the religious group one is involved in.
"I have made a bell of my honor! I have rung the doom of my good name." (Miller, 111). Proctor makes this statement after confessing his affair with Abigail in court. By this statement, Proctor means that he has already spoiled his good reputation by revealing the affair and the reason why his wife h...