Serving on the court all day has exhausted and upset her. Mary Warren provides a clear demonstration of this when she refuses to take orders from Elizabeth and stands up to Proctor when he threatens to whip her for insubordination. Individuals who previously did not have power obtain it and refuse to submit to others who traditionally have authority over them. This type of arrangement was acceptable and normal within Puritan society.Īfter the witch trials begin, the social hierarchy of Salem becomes unstable. If Mary Warren did not fulfill her work obligations, Proctor could discipline her just like one of the Proctor children. She was paid for her services, but she was also under the authority of Proctor and was required to follow the rules of the house. Prior to the witch trials, Mary Warren lived as a servant in the Proctor home. The other girls have achieved new status as well. Anyone who has crossed the girls lives in fear of being accused of witchcraft.Īs the leader of the group, Abigail has finally achieved the power she desires, and now she can use it to obtain Proctor. Suddenly the townspeople revere the youth of the town, namely Abigail and the other girls, as instruments of God. Scene 2 reveals the impact of the witch trials and the frenzy they have created in Salem, reinforcing the theme of how easily a mob can be influenced.
Elizabeth asks Proctor to speak to Abigail and tell her that no chance exists of Proctor marrying her if something happened to Elizabeth. Elizabeth realizes that Abigail wants to take her place as Proctor's wife. Elizabeth believes that Abigail will accuse her of witchcraft and then have her executed. Mary Warren states that Elizabeth was accused, but she defended Elizabeth and the court dismissed the accusation.Įlizabeth tells Proctor that Abigail wants to get rid of her. Proctor becomes angry because he believes the court is condemning people without solid evidence. Mary Warren tells Elizabeth and Proctor that thirty-nine people are in jail, and Goody Osburn will hang because she did not confess to witchcraft. Mary Warren gives Elizabeth a poppet that she made while in court. Proctor is furious that she has been in Salem all day, but Mary Warren tells him she will be gone every day because she is an official of the court. Mary Warren returns to the Proctor house.
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