The Crucible Quotation Worksheet

Even though we have been teaching The Crucible for over 25 years, high school students still surprise us with unique interpretations to the following quotations.  Consequently, the answers would be too varied to list.  It is our philosophy that teachers should allow maximum latitude to student responses.

Directions: Write a paragraph for each of the following quotations. Be sure to discuss who is speaking, to whom, the circumstances under which the quote is being said as well as why the quote is important.

1. You drank a charm to kill Goody Proctor.---page 19

2. But I will cut off my hand before I ever reach for you again.---page 23

3. There is a prodigious danger in the seeking out of loose spirits.---page28

4. You think that is god’s work that you should never lose a child and I bury all but one?---page 28

5. Why, then, I must find it and join it.---page 31

6. I mean to crush him utterly if he has shown his face.---page 39

7. You will confess yourself or I will take you out and whip you to your death.---page 44

8. It’s winter in here yet.---page 51

9. I do not judge you. The magistrate that sits in your heart judges you.---page 55

10.I never knew before…I remembered everything she done to me.---page 57

11. I must tell you , sir, I will be gone every day now. I am amazed you do not see what mighty work we do.---page 58

12. Adultery, John.---page 67

13. Herrick, Herrick, it is a needle.---page 74

14. Come now. You say your only purpose is to free your wife. Good then, she is saved at least this year, and a year is long…will you drop this charge?---page 92

15. But you must understand, sir, that a person is either with this court or he must be counted against it. There will be no road between.---page 94

16. Do that which is good and no harm will come to thee.---page 95

17. I cannot give you his name.---page 96

18. It is a whore.---page 110

19. No, sir.---page 113

20. You will confess yourself or you will hang.---page 117

21. My niece, sir, my niece, -I believe she has vanished.---page 126

22. Postponement means a floundering on my part.---page 129

23. Suspicion kissed you when I did.---page 137

24. There will be no higher judge under heaven than Proctor is.---page 137

25. Let Rebecca go like a saint, for me it is a fraud.---page 138

26. I am John Proctor! You will not use me!---page 143

27. And there’s your first marvel, that I can. You have made your magic now for I do think I see some shred of goodness in John Proctor.---page 144

28. He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it away from him!---page 145