“Is every defense an attack upon the court?”
Why it's great
The question forces the court to admit that defending yourself is not attacking it.
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Formal
Use it yourself
Is every question an attack upon the plan?
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Francis Nurse Presents the Petition, Explained
The Crucible · 2014
Chapter 19 of 29 · 5'00"
Francis Nurse brings ninety-one signatures vouching for Rebecca, Elizabeth, and Martha Corey. Danforth's answer is not thanks but subpoenas: "Is every defense an attack upon the court?" When Giles Corey accuses Putnam of prompting his daughter to cry out on Jacobs for his land, he refuses to name his informant even at the threat of jail.
Key moments
Start here, then watch the full scene- 0:36–1:36
The Petition Backfires on Its Signers
61s - 1:59–2:29
❝ Monologue · 5 lines Danforth on the Age
He builds the trial into a sunrise that separates light from dusk.
30s - 3:07–3:21
❝ Monologue · 5 lines Corey on His Own Cases
He turns a lifetime of lawsuits into proof that he knows his rights.
14s - 3:31–4:58
Giles Refuses to Name His Informant
87s
Francis Nurse Presents the Petition, explained
What happens
In the Salem courtroom, Francis Nurse presents a petition signed by ninety-one people testifying to the good character of Rebecca, Elizabeth, and Martha Corey. Danforth orders the signers summoned for questioning. Giles Corey then accuses Thomas Putnam of prompting his daughter to accuse George Jacobs so Putnam can buy the forfeited land, but Giles refuses to name the man who told him.
What's really going on
The scene is about who controls the record. Francis Nurse's petition is an attempt to put ninety-one respected names on the side of the accused; Danforth's response, "Is every defense an attack upon the court?", turns the petition itself into a crime and reveals that the court cannot tolerate being questioned. When Giles Corey charges Putnam with killing his neighbors for their land, he has the logic of the case exactly right — Jacobs's property would be forfeit if he hangs — but Danforth only wants procedure: "But proof, sir, proof." Giles has proof, yet he will not name the informant, because that man "will lay in jail." So the scene stages the play's central bind: names are the weapon, and one honest man's refusal to give a name is treated as contempt.
Key lines & what they mean
- “Is every defense an attack upon the court?”
- Danforth's rhetorical question after the petition: he treats any defense of the accused as an assault on the court's authority.
- “I am never put-upon; I know my rights and I will have them.”
- Giles's proud claim: he refuses to see himself as a victim and insists on the rights the law gives him.
- “by God's grace, the shining sun is up, and them that fear not light will surely praise it.”
- Hale's metaphor: the truth is now as plain as daylight, and anyone not afraid of it will welcome it.
- “A fart on Thomas Putnam, that is what I say to that!”
- Giles's crude dismissal of Putnam's denial: he answers the lie with contempt instead of argument.
- “I will not give you no name,”
- Giles's refusal to reveal his informant, even though the court calls it contempt and threatens jail.
Theme
- Justice — A lawful petition is treated as an attack, and the court demands proof while refusing the defense any real chance to give it.
- Power — Danforth answers ninety-one signatures with arrest warrants, showing the court's power to turn any challenge back on the challenger.
What this chapter teaches
Teaching points
Review right after watchingMy level0/8
A1–C2 is the CEFR scale. Cards above the level you pick fade, and playback will not auto-pause on them.
Language points
Click a card to jump to its moment in the videoGolden lines
A great line in its own right — why and how to use it“I am never put-upon; I know my rights and I will have them.”
Why it's great
Being never put-upon plus will have them makes stubbornness sound like a principle.
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Formal
Use it yourself
I know my rights and I will have them, refund or not.
“by God’s grace, the shining sun is up, and them that fear not light will surely praise it.”
Why it's great
The sunrise image turns a courtroom speech into a sermon about light and shame.
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literary
Use it yourself
The shining sun is up, and the honest will praise it.
“A fart on Thomas Putnam, that is what I say to that!”
Why it's great
A crude opening snaps into a clean formula, making the defiance stick.
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Informal
Use it yourself
A fart on his excuses, that is what I say to that!
“I will not give you no name,”
Why it's great
The double negative makes the refusal feel final and personal, not polite.
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Informal
Use it yourself
I will not give you no name, no matter what you say.
Monologue
One character carrying the scene — shadow the whole passage❝ Corey on His Own Cases
I have the best, sir - I am thirty-three time in court in my life. And always plaintiff, too. Oh, then you’re much put-upon. I am never put-upon; I know my rights and I will have them.
He turns a lifetime of lawsuits into proof that he knows his rights.
❝ Danforth on the Age
No, old man, you have not hurt these people if But you must understand, sir, that a person is or he must be counted against it, there be no This is a sharp time, now, a precise time - we live no longer in the dusky afternoon when evil mixed itself with good and befuddled Now, by God’s grace, the shining sun is up, and them that fear not light will surely praise it. I hope you will be one of those.
He builds the trial into a sunrise that separates light from dusk.
Up next · 20have no bearing onThe scene: Proctor Accuses Abigail in CourtTakeaways
What you walk away with- To know your rights is to refuse to be shortchanged.
- Put-upon means always made to do more for others.
- Contempt of court is a charge, not just a feeling.
- A rhetorical question can put the court on the defensive.
People also search
Questions, then the linesWhy does Danforth order the signers arrested?
He treats the petition as a challenge to the court's authority. He says the signers should be summoned for questioning and has warrants drawn for all of them.
What does Giles Corey accuse Putnam of?
He says Putnam prompted his daughter to cry out on George Jacobs so that Jacobs's land would be forfeited and Putnam could buy it.
Why won't Giles name his informant?
Because the man would be jailed for speaking. Giles says he will not give the name even when Danforth calls it contempt of court.
What does 'put-upon' mean?
It means treated unfairly or taken advantage of. Giles insists he is never put-upon and knows his rights — he refuses to play the victim.
Why does Francis Nurse bring the petition?
To show that ninety-one respected, landholding church members believe Rebecca, Elizabeth, and Martha Corey are good women and do not deal with the Devil.