|
|
Post by patrickha112 on Oct 2, 2012 14:48:21 GMT -5
I was not really sure what to think of Miller's line, "One cannot help help noting that one of his lines has never yet raised a laugh in any audience that has seen this play; it is his assurance that "We cannot look to superstition in this. The Devil is precise."Evidentily we are not quite certain even now whether diabolism is holy and not to be scoffed at." p 33. I was not sure how this related to the description of Hale of the underlying themes in the book. Any ideas?
|
|
|
|
Post by rebeccapl116 on Oct 9, 2012 15:26:23 GMT -5
Basically, he's saying that Hale does not stand alone in a firm belief in the Devil and evil. He is not seen a a fanatic or superstitious. For many people who believe in the existence of a righteous God, the existence of a Devil is also fact. (Good vs Evil). Hale truly does believe in witches and the influence of the Devil. He's not manipulating the situation for his own benefit. He is in Salem to help people.
|
|
|
|
Post by maryri116 on Oct 13, 2012 18:49:26 GMT -5
That line did seem curious to me ... I thought it especially curious that Miller noted the absence of laughter towards towards the line, almost as if he was startled by the lack thereof. If you think about it, the line is humorous because it contradicts itself. The belief in God and therefore the Devil is a superstition itself, so when Hale says that "we can't look to superstition" and that the Devil is precise, he's contradicting himself. The line shows that Hale is a deeply religious man due to his belief in the Devil not being a superstition, and that Miller is most likely not a firm believer in the Devil and God because he expected some laughter at the contradictory nature of the line.
|
|
