Final answer:
In Act 1 of 'The Crucible', Abigail Williams speaks these words to John Proctor in the house of Reverend Parris after being caught dancing in the woods. She expresses her desire to confess and accuses others of being involved in witchcraft. This quotation reveals Abigail's manipulative nature, contributes to the plot, and highlights the theme of hysteria and fear in the play.
Step-by-step explanation:
Transition:
The quotation I have chosen is spoken by a character named Abigail Williams to another character named John Proctor in Act 1 of the play 'The Crucible'. The setting is the house of Reverend Parris, where a group of girls has just been caught dancing in the woods, which is considered a forbidden activity.
Quotation:
'I want to open myself!... Like a- like a cheetah! I want the light of God, I want the sweet love of Jesus! I danced for the Devil; I saw him, I wrote in his book; I go back to Jesus; I kiss His hand. I saw Sarah Good with the Devil! I saw Goody Osburn with the Devil! I saw Bridget Bishop with the Devil!'
Paraphrase:
Abigail is expressing her desire to confess and repent for her sins. She claims to have seen others in the community consorting with the Devil and accuses them.
Analysis:
This quotation reveals Abigail's manipulative and deceitful nature. She uses the hysteria surrounding witchcraft to shift blame onto others and assert control over the situation. It also contributes to the plot by establishing the conflict and foreshadowing the events that will unfold.
Theme:
This quotation reveals the theme of hysteria and the power of fear to manipulate and control. It shows how the characters in the play are willing to believe and act upon baseless accusations, leading to mass hysteria and the destruction of innocent lives.