The Crucible read to the end

Quote 1:
"If retaliation is your fear, know this-I should hang ten thousand that dared to rise against the law, and an ocean of salt tears could not melt the resolution of the statutes" (Miller 129).

Analysis 1:
Danforth demonstrates how ridiculous sixteenth century courts were. The modern day American idea of a law is that a law is created to serve and protect people. Any law that does not do so is an unjust law. Danforth is virtually stating that he will kill those who refuse to follow these unjust laws. This idea of ruling with an iron fist has many occurrences throughout human history. Louis XVI was beheaded by french revolutionists who thought it to be their duty to rid themselves of the tyrant. In the same way witchcraft had been eradicated by the end of The Crucible. The revolutionaries of Proctors time where set off by him and others like him to destroy Salem's hysteric tyranny. One can build a throne of bayonets, but he cannot sit on it for long.

Quote 2:
"Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang! How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name!" (Miller 143).

Analysis 2:
Throughout The Crucible Proctor has been grappling with Elizabeth to try to get an ounce of forgiveness from her. In the end Proctor realized what Elizabeth had been trying to tell him all along, that he needed to forgive himself. Proctor was originally satisfied with signing the confession. He realized that signing the confession and running from the injustice would only leave him to his home with the same guilt. Proctor washed away his sins with his blood and became a martyr against Salem's hysteria. Through Proctor Miller demonstrated that in Salem, no morally upright man lives the life he deserves. Unless he abandons his purity through lies he will be dead and cold in a place where they are needed most.