Post by mslewis on May 16, 2012 7:39:43 GMT
"I may speak my heart I think!"
John Proctor, "The Crucible", Act 1
John says this to Parris: they and a few other local people such as Rebecca and Giles Corey are gathered at Parris's house discussing what to do about Betty and the growing talk of witchcraft in the town. During this discussion, deep resentments come to the fore. When Parris tells John "It is not for you to say what is good for you to hear!" in response to John criticising his style of preaching, John replies "I may speak my heart I think!"
This links to the theme of integrity in the play and to John's character. John's reputation in Salem in Acts 1 and 2 is of honesty: on the whole, the townspeople look up to him and rely on him to speak his mind. However, the audience knows of John's inner conflict: he prides himself on his public reputation but feels immense private guilt that he has committed lechery with Abigail and hidden this from all but Elizabeth. He knows he is not as strong a character as the town think he is.
As the play progresses, John's integrity is increasingly put to the test. He avoids telling the courts that Abigail is a liar for some time, knowing that she will reveal the truth about him if he does so and his reputation will be ruined. However, in Act 2 when Elizabeth is accused of witchcraft by Abigail, John must choose between his public reputation and his wife. This later becomes a larger battle between truth and lies in the play, with John defending the truth against the lies and dishonesty of other townspeople such as Parris and Abigail.
John Proctor, "The Crucible", Act 1
John says this to Parris: they and a few other local people such as Rebecca and Giles Corey are gathered at Parris's house discussing what to do about Betty and the growing talk of witchcraft in the town. During this discussion, deep resentments come to the fore. When Parris tells John "It is not for you to say what is good for you to hear!" in response to John criticising his style of preaching, John replies "I may speak my heart I think!"
This links to the theme of integrity in the play and to John's character. John's reputation in Salem in Acts 1 and 2 is of honesty: on the whole, the townspeople look up to him and rely on him to speak his mind. However, the audience knows of John's inner conflict: he prides himself on his public reputation but feels immense private guilt that he has committed lechery with Abigail and hidden this from all but Elizabeth. He knows he is not as strong a character as the town think he is.
As the play progresses, John's integrity is increasingly put to the test. He avoids telling the courts that Abigail is a liar for some time, knowing that she will reveal the truth about him if he does so and his reputation will be ruined. However, in Act 2 when Elizabeth is accused of witchcraft by Abigail, John must choose between his public reputation and his wife. This later becomes a larger battle between truth and lies in the play, with John defending the truth against the lies and dishonesty of other townspeople such as Parris and Abigail.