Mary Warren: I never saw no spirits (Miller 1147).
Tell the whole truth Mary Warren.
Mary Warren
What mischief is going on here.
Danforth
John Proctor
Mary Warren, looking at Proctor: I cannot faint now sir (Miller 1147).
You did it once you can do it again.
Mary Warren
Really? Why's that?
Danforth
Abigail, in an open threat: Let you beware, Mr. Danforth. Think you be so high and mighty that the power of hell may not turn your wits? Beware of it! (Miller 1147).
Abigail Williams
Oh, my!
Danforth
This quote follows the question Danforth poses to Mary Warren how there might be no afflicting spirits loose, but there were some in the court. This is pivotal because in a nutshell Mary Warren just confessed. If there were no spirits then and she was faking it, everything else must be corrupt too. This is the moment she she turns her back on the girls, out in the open with a simple sentence, and taking a step toward the truth.
Abigail, stepping up to DANFORTH: What look do you give me? DANFORTH cannot speak. I'll not have such looks! She turns and starts for the door (Miller 1148).
Wh-wh-what? What does she think she's doing?
Danforth
This quote is in response to Hathorne telling Mary Warren to faint now, if she did it as a fake when she was in court. This is pivotal to the plot because now that Mary Warren can't back up her claim by fainting, she wont be believed. The judges have to see her with their own eyes, or else she wont be credited and she will be accused herself.
Elizabeth Proctor, not knowing what to say, sensing a situation, wetting her lips to stall for time: She-dissatisfied me. Pause. And my husband (Miller 1149).
Tell the truth Elizabeth.
We'll get to the bottom of this.
Lie Elizabeth. Lie save John.
Danforth
This quote shows that when Abigail is being questioned she responds with harsh anger, a very different front than what she has been playing for the past couple of months. Her true colors are being shown here for the judges to see and she is openly threatening Danforth that he isn't too high mighty to be afflicted by spirits. Abigail made a mistake and let her emotions take control making her appear rebellious.
Elizabeth Proctor, faintly: No, sir (Miller 1149).
My precious Elizabeth. NO!
I thought so.
Hahaha!Yes!
Danforth
This quote shows that Abigail is being aggressive, hostile, and threatening to the judges. Her true colors. She's getting in the judges face and is making demands that the genteel women before her haven't given, despite their circumstances. This shows that the mask that shes been putting on in court is very different from her motives which are now being seen and examined openly.
Abigail Williams
This shows that Elizabeth is struggling with an internal conflict: confess her husbands adultery or lie to save him, despite her life being st risk. She also is physically struggling and wetting her lips gives evidence to her discomfort and conflict. This wont make her appear confident and certain for the judges for what should be a simple answer and will only peak their curiosity to the situation.
John Proctor
Elizabeth Proctor
Abigail Williams
John Proctor
Elizabeth Proctor finally gave Danforth his answer and says that her husband had not committed lechery. This point is so pivotal because it shows that Elizabeth can lie for the right reason. This reason was to save her husband, despite the honesty behind it. It proves that Elizabeth is not as righteous as her husband claims in Danforth's eyes and the other judges eyes which only condemns her even more.