


She admits her sins, in addition to the fact that judgment is not hers to give- it is between John and God.Īs he is about to whip Mary Warren, John stops short. 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." This is vital later in the play when Proctor specifically seeks his wife's judgment. This belief is strengthened by his quote, "Some dream I had must have mistaken you for God that day. He points out the fact that she, too, has faults that she should correct before she passes judgment. John accuses Elizabeth of judging him too harshly.Now he has hurt his wife twofold- first by being alone with Abigail and second by lying about it. It is understandable that John would alter the story in order to avoid hurting his wife, but alterations are more dangerous than beneficial if not used with consistency. Elizabeth picks up on this because it differs from the story John told her originally. John can't prove what Abigail told him because he was alone with her when she said it, making him the only witness.Why can't John prove what Abigail told him? Why does Elizabeth pick up on this? Going to the court would also mean involvement in his community, which he would prefer to avoid. While his relationship with Abigail is over, he is still less than exuberant about publicly debasing her. For John, the issue is not as clear-cut as Elizabeth makes it.

This would stop the trials and prevent the deaths of those accused. Elizabeth wants John to go to Salem and reveal what Abigail told him about how the strange incidents have nothing to do with witchcraft.She knows what he needs to do but she is unable to persuade him to do it as expediently as she would like. On top of this, his indecision is a source of frustration for her. Elizabeth clearly loves her husband, but she has a difficult time trusting him because she thinks he has been unfaithful. John tries hard to please Elizabeth, but it is extremely difficult for him due to her depression. John and Elizabeth Proctor seem to have a somewhat strained relationship, but their affection for each other is still clear.

How would you describe the relationship of John and Elizabeth Proctor at the beginning of this scene? Therefore, she feels that Elizabeth owes her her life and is in no position to make demands. She feels like she no longer has to answer to Elizabeth Proctor because, if it weren't for her, Elizabeth would have been convicted of witchcraft right then and there. Her position and authority as a part of the Salem court system has caused this change.
