The Crucible Poisoning the Well By: Jewelia Lindsey & Ann Kauffman

Universal Idea "The recent attacks by Republican leaders and their ideological fellow-travelers on the effort to reform the health-care system have been so misleading, so disingenuous, that they could only spring from a cynical effort to gain partisan political advantage. By poisoning the political well, they've given up any pretense of being the loyal opposition. They've become political terrorists, willing to say or do anything to prevent the country from reaching a consensus on one of its most serious domestic problems." (Steven Pearlstein, "Republicans Propagating Falsehoods in Attacks on Health-Care Reform)

Poisoning the Well Def: Def: 1.unfavorable info (be it true or false) about person A is presented. Therefore any claims person A makes will be false 1.unfavorable info (be it true or false) about person A is presented. Therefore any claims person A makes will be false

Act 3 Pg226 Mary Warren. (pointing at Proctor.) You’re the Devils man! (He is stopped in his tracks.) Mary Warren. (pointing at Proctor.) You’re the Devils man! (He is stopped in his tracks.) Parris. Praise God! Parris. Praise God! Girls. Praise God! Girls. Praise God! Proctor (numbed). Mary how-? Proctor (numbed). Mary how-? Mary Warren. Ill not hang with you! I love God, I love God. Mary Warren. Ill not hang with you! I love God, I love God. Danforth (to Mary). He bid you do the Devil’s work? Danforth (to Mary). He bid you do the Devil’s work? Mary Warren (hysterically, indicating Proctor). He come at me by night and every day to sign, to sign, to- Mary Warren (hysterically, indicating Proctor). He come at me by night and every day to sign, to sign, to- Danforth. Sign What? Danforth. Sign What? Parris. The Devil’s book? He com e with a book? Parris. The Devil’s book? He com e with a book? Mary Warren (hysterically, pointing at Proctor fearful of him). My name, he want my name. “I’ll murder you,” he says, “if my wife hangs. We must go and overthrow the court,” he says! Mary Warren (hysterically, pointing at Proctor fearful of him). My name, he want my name. “I’ll murder you,” he says, “if my wife hangs. We must go and overthrow the court,” he says!

Act 3 Continued Mary Warren is accusing Proctor of being the Devil’s man which he is not. Mary’s statement is looked at as the truth, therefore anything John Proctor says is looked at as if he is lying. Mary Warren is accusing Proctor of being the Devil’s man which he is not. Mary’s statement is looked at as the truth, therefore anything John Proctor says is looked at as if he is lying.

Act 3 pg: Hale (to Parris, trying to contain himself.) His every defense an attack upon the court? Can no one-? Hale (to Parris, trying to contain himself.) His every defense an attack upon the court? Can no one-? Parris. All innocent and Christian people are happy for the courts in Salem! These people are gloomy for it. ( To Danforth directly) And I think you will want to know, from each and everyone of them, what discontents them with you! Parris. All innocent and Christian people are happy for the courts in Salem! These people are gloomy for it. ( To Danforth directly) And I think you will want to know, from each and everyone of them, what discontents them with you! Hathorne. I think they ought to be examined, sir. Hathorne. I think they ought to be examined, sir. Danforth. It is not necessarily an attack, I think. Yet- Danforth. It is not necessarily an attack, I think. Yet-

Act 3 pg 213 Continued Parris is saying that all Christians are happy with the courts. So when a person questions the court they must not be a Christian. Parris is saying that all Christians are happy with the courts. So when a person questions the court they must not be a Christian. Hale Parris