Model Quote I.D.
“Since we built the church there were pewter candlesticks upon the altar; Francis
Nurse made them, y’know, and a sweeter hand never touched the metal. But Parris
came, and for twenty week he preach nothin’ but golden candlesticks until he had
them. I labor the earth from dawn of day to blink of night, and I tell you true, when I
look to heaven and see my money glaring at his elbows—it hurt my prayer, sir, it hurt
my prayer. I think, sometimes, the man dreams cathedrals, not clapboard meetin’
houses” (65).
CONTEXT:
--John Proctor talking to Reverend Hale about why he doesn’t attend church
MEANING:
-Doesn’t respect Parris because Parris is concerned with material things rather than philanthropic
things
--homemade, cheaper candlesticks used to suffice, just like a home with no deed and a house without
free wood used to suffice for the reverend.
--Proctor works for his money, and he is careful with it. He sees through the minister’s
intentions.
SIGNIFICANCE:
--This is an example of the unrest in the town. Factions are building against the current minister
because, among other things, he wants more money for his office.
--John Proctor does not like the minister because of his scheming ways, so he does not attend services
or have his child baptized by the minister.
--Because of the tie of church and state, Proctor’s irritation with the minister looks like unlawfulness
and makes his household suspect.
--With the court taking on supernatural evidence and accusation, the church has even more power over
Proctor now.
PARAGRAPH:
John Proctor is telling Reverend Hale why he does not attend church. Proctor’s mention of the
candlesticks refers to the fact that Reverend Parris demands more expensive things than his
predecessors. Proctor mentions the work he does in order to say that he values his money and he
resents his money being used wastefully. He does not believe that Reverend Parris is in the right just
because Reverend Parris is ordained.
This is one example of the unrest in the town. Factions are building against the current minister
because, among other things, he wants more money for his services. Because of the tie of church and
state, Proctor’s irritation with the minister makes Proctor’s household suspect for the religious crimes
the court is trying. With the court taking on supernatural evidence and accusation, the church has even
more power over Proctor now. His logic does not reach the court officers.