Francis Nurse Quotes

For murder, she’s charged! (Mockingly quoting the warrant:) "For the marvelous and supernatural murder of Goody Putnam’s babies." What am I to do, Mr. Hale?

– Arthur Miller

The Crucible, Act 2. A deeply upset Francis Nurse announces that his wife Rebecca has been charged with the unbelievable crime of the "supernatural murder" of Ann Putnam’s babies. The seven babies died on the day they were born and Mrs. Putnam became obsessed with finding who "murdered" them. She also resented the fact that all of Rebecca’s eleven children lived and only one of here did. Add to that the historic land disputes between the Nurse and Putnam families, and it becomes clear that motives of jealousy and vengeance are behind the Putnams instigating these charges. The accusations against Rebecca Nurse parallel the way Senator Joe McCarthy accused people of being communists without any substantial proof. In the McCarthy era false accusations based on the flimsiest of evidence was leveled against innocent Americans.

FRANCIS: We have proof of it, sir. They are all deceiving you.
HATHORNE: This is contempt, sir, contempt!

– Arthur Miller

The Crucible, Act 3. Francis Nurse attempts to convince the court that the girls claiming possession by witches are frauds. He and John Proctor make a bid to present "proof," a deposition by Mary Warren supporting this. But a biased and vindictive Hathorne, who is more prosecutor than impartial judge, tries to silence Francis. He charges contempt, a tactic he uses in court to deny evidence favorable to the accused people. This shows the intolerance of the Salem judges towards any citizen challenging their corrupt court. We have also here an example of dramatic irony, since the audience knows that Francis is speaking the truth.

FRANCIS NURSE: I have brought trouble on these people. I have – .
DANFORTH: No, old man, you have not hurt these people if they are of good conscience.

– Arthur Miller

The Crucible, Act 3. Francis Nurse laments that he has brought trouble on the 91 petitioners who stated that his wife Rebecca, Elizabeth Proctor and Martha Corey are innocent of witchcraft. The 91 are being arrested so they can questioned by the court. Judge Danforth’s response that those "of good conscience" need have no fear as they will not be hurt is ironic. Innocent people have been accused of being witches and forced to confess to crimes they did not commit in order to save their lives.
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