Concepts of Comparison and Contrast

Concept 1: Vengeance

~Abigail states, "Oh, I marvel how such a strong man may let such a sickly wife be-" (Miller 23).
This quote is indicative to the concept of vengeance because Abigail talks to John in a bitter matter about his wife. Abigail does this because she is jealous of Elizabeth and she wants John to herself. Abigail basically wants Elizabeth out of the way.

~When Proctor asks who has charged his wife, Cheever states, "Why, Abigail Williams charge her" (Miller 73).
This quote is indicative to the concept of vengeance because Abigail set Elizabeth up. Abigail saw Mary sew the poppet during the trial, then Mary gave the poppet to Elizabeth. Abigail claimed that Elizabeth used the poppet to harm her, so she charged Elizabeth with witchcraft. Abigail did this because she wants John to be her husband.

~Abigail says to John, "The jab your wife gave me's not healed yet, y'know" (Miller149).
This quote is indicative to the concept of vengeance because Abigail is trying to gain sympathy from John. She wants him for herself and is willing to harm anyone in the process.

~Abigail exclaims to John, "Oh, John, I will make you such a wife when the world is white again! You will be amazed to see me every day, a light of heaven in your house, a-" (Miller 150).
This quote is indicative to the concept of vengeance because Abigail is telling John that she will be his wife one day. Abigail completely disregards Elizabeth and shows no sympathy to John when John tells Abigail that Elizabeth in jail.

Vengeance is indicative to both the Salem Witch Trials and McCarthyism because Abigail wanted to seek revenge on people who she disliked. McCarthy sent many people who worked on Hollywood films to jail. Both Abigail and McCarthy were willing to try any attempt to jail these people. Both Abigail and McCarthy also disliked any person who was willing to doubt their beliefs. McCarthy and Abigail were both jealous of people who were threats to them. Elizabeth was a threat to Abigail because Abigail wanted John to herself. All in all, both Williams and McCarthy were sadistic, vengeful people.


Concept 2: Hysteria

~Mary exclaims to Abigail about Betty, "What's got her? Abby, she's going to die! It'a a sin to conjure, and we-" (Miller 20).
This quote is indicative to the concept of hysteria because Mary is becoming worked up because Betty is sick. Mary is mad because she feels that the dancing and conjuring in the woods is what has caused Betty to fall ill.

~Parris states, "Go directly home and speak nothing of unnatural causes" (Miller 9).
This quote is indicative of the concept of hysteria because Parris begins to panic because he feels that his daughter, Betty, may be ill due to supernatural causes. The entire town is speaking of Betty's illness and Parris does not want the town to believe that there is any type of supernatural cause involved with her illness.

~Abigail states, "Oh, Mary, this is a black art to change your shape. No, I cannot stop my mouth; it's God's work I do" (Miller 115).
This quote is indicative of hysterics because Abigail has gone completely insane in this scene. She says that Mary has turned into a yellow bird that will harm her. The judge believes Abigail because her scheme is so conniving and convincing to the judge.

~"Gradually Abigail and the girls lead off, until only Mary is left there, staring up at the "bird," screaming madly. All watch her, horrified by this evident fit" (Miller 118).
This quote is indicative of hysteria because the girls continued to pester Mary until she cracked and went into full-blown hysterics. She screamed and then she ended up saying that John was evil so that Abby and the other girls would stop bothering her.

Hysteria is indicative to both the Salem Witch Trials "The Crucible" and McCarthyism because widespread panic, fear, and madness ensued when both of these events occurred. People would lie to ensure their well-being and to ensure that nobody would plot against them.


Concept 3: Deceit

~Giles states, "My proof is here! If Jacobs hangs for a witch he forfeit up his property-that's law! And there is none but Putnam with the coin to buy so great a piece. This man is killing his neighbors for their land" (Miller 96).
This quote is indicative to the concept of deceit because Mr. Putnam went to the court to enlist Jacobs as a witch. The only reason why Putnam did this is because he wanted Jacobs's land. Putnam had no problem lying and causing murder in order to gain a greater piece of land.

~Abigail shouts, "I saw Sarah Good with the Devil! I saw Goody Osburn with the Devil! I saw Bridget Bishop with the Devil!" (Miller 48).
This quote is indicative to the concept of deceit because Abigail just said names in order to make it seem like she was telling the truth. Many people that Abigail named were people that she previously had problems with.

~Betty shouts, "I saw George Jacobs with the Devil! I saw Goody Howe with the Devil!" (Miller 48).
This quote is indicative to the concept of deceit because Betty just named people to follow Abby's lead. The girls had previously discussed that they were going to have to do something because they were the ones who actually started the witchcraft. Since they did not want to be accused of the crime, the decided to blame it on others.

~Hale asks Francis, "How is Rebecca charged, Mr. Nurse?" Francis states, "For the murderous and supernatural murder of Goody Putnam's babies" (Miller 71).
This is indicative to the concept of deceit because Rebecca Nurse always worked at the Church and then was randomly charged. The Putnams have accused both Jacobs and Rebecca. Mr. Putnam wants Jacobs's land, while Mrs. Putnam is jealous of all of the children that Rebecca had, so she charged Rebecca with witchcraft.

Deceit is indicative to both the Salem Witch Trials and McCarthyism because people used this to their advantage. In both cases, people would lie about people's beliefs in order to get an advantage from it. Whether it was for land, money, or other various reasons, many people lied for their own sick and greedy advantage.


Concept 4: Sociality

~Francis states, "My wife is the very brick and mortar of the church, Mr. Hale-and Martha Corey, there cannot be a woman closer yet to God than Martha" (Miller 71).
This quote is indicative of the concept of sociality because this quote explains how people who were highly respected were thrown into jail right away with hardly any trial to prove their innocence.

~Proctor explains, "Excellency, does it not strike upon you that so many of these women have lived so long with such upright reputation, and-" (Miller 91).
This quote is indicative of the concept of sociality because this quote explains that these women were well-respected in society and were thrown in jail with no regards whatsoever. Proctor is trying to tell the judge that it is odd that the judge is believing silly girls instead of well-respected women.

~Proctor states, "And why not, if they must hang for denyin' it? There are them that will swear to anything before they'll hand; have you never thought of that?" (Miller 69).
This quote is indicative of the concept of sociality because it explains that those who denied being a witch were hanged, but those that admitted it were granted life. This idea is opposite to what society usually is like.

~Hale states, "By my oath to Heaven, I believe him now, and I pray you call back his wife before we-" (Miller 114).
This quote is indicative of the concept of sociality because prestigious people were being overlooked by the judge and the government in order to accommodate to the lying, wretched girls. Hale was never even heard out. A holy man was called a lier by Dansforth.

Sociality is indicative to the Salem Witch Trials and "The Crucible" because there are always different ranks in society. People who were well-respected were accused of crimes. In McCarthyism, many movie stars were accused of communism, while in the Salem Witch Trials, many well-respected women were accused of being witches.