Important Quotes from The Crucible
 For the following quotes, be prepared to identify the speaker (who says it) or who it’s about and the context (what is going on
when he/she says it) of the quote. You may summarize the quote. If the quote contains an example of a literary device, state
what it is (e.g. simile, metaphor, personification, foreshadowing, etc.)
 Also, understand that we have selected these quotes because they connect to an important idea Arthur Miller wants us to
understand about the play. Here are some options for the connection part:
o Connect to a theme (truth about life stated as a complete sentence)
o Connect to a similarity with McCarthyism Miller wants to highlight
o Connect to an important trait of a character (and explain why the trait is important to the play overall)
o Explain the purpose of a literary device (however, note that saying it is there to catch the reader’s interest or to
engage the reader is not sufficient to earn credit)
Here is an example of the above from Fahrenheit 451.
Quote:
With the brass nozzle in his fists, with this great python spitting its venomous kerosene upon
the world, the blood pounded in his head, and his hands were the hands of some amazing
conductor playing all the symphonies of blazing and burning to bring down the tatters
and charcoal ruins of history.
Explanation:
This passage describes Guy Montag at the beginning of the novel. This explanation is on the first page of the book and describes
how Montag feels as he burns books. The passage contains sensory details (“brass nozzle” “blood pounded”) and figurative
language (“this great python spitting its venomous kerosene” “the hands of some amazing conductor charcoal ruins of history”).
Connection:
This passage connects to many important ideas. First, it characterizes Montag (and all firefighters) as gleefully destructive. He
feels amazing, which indicates that at the beginning of the novel, he feels powerful, not horrible, when burning books. The
sensory details put the reader in the place of the character. We can see and feel a brass nozzle in our hands, we can feel the blood
pounding in our temples, and we can smell the kerosene. The figurative language connecting the hose to a venomous python
brings a negative feeling to the description, as do the ruins of history. Clearly, the author wants us to see that although Montag
feels glorious, he is damaging his society. This ties to Bradbury’s theme that books and literacy are a vital part of a productive
society.
Act I Quotations
There is either obedience or the church will burn like hell is burning!
Explanation:
Connection:
I have trouble enough without I come five mile to hear him preach only hellfire and bloody
damnation. Take it to heart, Mr. Parris.
Explanation:
Connection:
There are many others who stay away from church these days because you hardly ever mention
God any more.
Explanation:
Connection:
There are wheels within wheels in this village, and fires within fires!
Explanation:
Connection:
Have no fear now—we shall find him out if he has come among us, and I mean to crush him utterly
if he has shown his face!
Explanation:
Connection:
Act II Quotations
I should have roared you down when you first told me your suspicion. But I wilted, and, like a
Christian, I confessed. Confessed! Some dream I had must have mistaken you for God that day. But
you’re not, you’re not, and let you remember it! Let you look sometimes for the goodness in me, and
judge me not.
Explanation:
Connection:
I'll plead no more! I see now your spirit twists around the single error of my life, and I will never
tear it free!
Explanation:
Connection:
I'll tell you what's walking Salem—vengeance is walking Salem. We are what we always were in
Salem, but now the little crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom, and common
vengeance writes the law! This warrant's vengeance! I'll not give my wife to vengeance!
Explanation:
Connection:
I will fall like an ocean on that court!
Explanation:
Connection:
Act III Quotations
Now Mr. Proctor, before I decide whether I shall hear you or not, it is my duty to tell you this. We
burn a hot fire here; it melts down all concealment.
Explanation:
Connection:
If Jacobs hangs for a witch he forfeit up his property- that’s the 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!
Explanation:
Connection:
No uncorrupted man may fear this court, Mr. Hale!
Explanation:
Connection:
Let you beware, Mr. Danforth. Think you to be so mighty that the power of Hell may not turn your
wits? Beware of it!
Explanation:
Connection:
I may shut my conscience to it no more—private vengeance is working through this testimony!
Explanation:
Connection:
A fire, a fire is burning! I hear the boot of Lucifer, I see his filthy face! And it is my face, and yours,
Danforth!
Explanation:
Connection:
Act IV Quotes
Excellency, there are orphans wandering from house to house; abandoned cattle bellow on the
highroads, the stink of rotting crops hangs everywhere, and no man knows when he harlots’ cry
will end his life—and you wonder yet if rebellion’s spoke? Better you should marvel how they do
not burn your province!
Explanation:
Connection:
I came into this village like a bridegroom to his beloved, bearing gifts of high religion; the very
crowns of holy law I brought, and what I touched with my bright confidence, it died; and where I
turned the eye of my great faith, blood flowed up.
Explanation:
Connection:
It is a mistaken law that leads you to sacrifice. Life, woman, life is God’s most precious gift; no
principle, however glorious, may justify the taking of it. . . it may well be God damns a liar less
than he that throws his life away for ride.
Explanation:
Connection:
I am no good man. Nothing’s spoiled by giving them this lie that were not rotten long before.
Explanation:
Connection: