The Crucible: Term 2 Week 4 Homework

Read Danforth's speech to Elizabeth at the top of page 116. It begins "Goody Proctor, you are not summoned here for disputation." Danforth has asked Elizabeth to speak to John to try to get him to admit his guilt. Elizabeth does speak to John but she does not reply to Danforth. Construct a response to Danforth. What do you think she might have wanted to say to him in response to his accusation that she is "stone"? Make your response as long as Danforth's speech. Due Friday. Post on your blog.

 
DANFORTH: (going to her) Goody Proctor, you are not summoned here for disputation. Be there no wifely tenderness within you? He will die with the sunrise. Your husband. Do you understand it? She only looks at him. What say you? Will you contend with him? She is silent. Are you stone? I tell you true, woman, had I no other proof of your unnatural life, your dry eyes now would be sufficient evidence that you delivered up your soul to
Hell! A very ape would weep at such calamity! Have the devil dried up any tear of pity in you? She is silent. Take her out. It profit nothing she should speak to him!

ELIZABETH: Of course I understand it! I am offended that you called me stone, your Excellency. I love my husband completely and I am terrified that he is to be hanged. I am only silent because I feel there is no hope in this cold, heartless world anymore. No mater how much I try to prove the innocence of my man, I dare say, your Excellency, that there is no point. I am trying to be brave for my husband. I do not want to worry him even further than he already he is. There is no Devil connected to John, your Excellency. I plead you to spare his life this one time. As his dear wife, I swear to my own life and God that this man has nothing to do with the Devil. I love him completely and utterly and I trust he has no deed with the Devil. Please, your Excellency! Please spare his dear soul!