How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Oh, if I had only known that day so long ago when I stood outside the parsonage in the cold, aching to belong to that circle of girls who did not want me. If I had only known what they were about, truly I would have turned and run the other way!
I would have turned and run across the snow, back to my horse and cart, and dashed away!
I close my eyes and tremble with the memory. Wishing I could bring it back. Wishing. For I remember just how it was, and where I was standing and what I was feeling in that moment it was given to me to decide what to do.
Given the chance again, I know I would do the right thing. I would run. I know I would!
Wouldn't I? (Prologue.23-27)
Susanna has a serious case of the what ifs. She can't help but wonder what would happen if she could climb in a time machine and go back fourteen years. Would she make a different decision? She sure hopes so, but there's no way to know for sure. Susanna has a lot of tough choices to make in this book. And in her prologue she lets us know that indecision is a pretty big part of her life then and now.
Quote #2
Before I could consider the question further, however, I was covering the ground between myself and my horse and cart, to fetch a twist of tobacco for John Indian.
And that is how it started with me. That began my part in the madness that came to our village in the year 1692. But I had no idea of what would transpire once I got in the back door of the parsonage. All I knew was that Tituba told fortunes. And that I wanted to know if William would be coming back to us. Or was he lost, forever, at sea. (1.78-79)
Susanna knows that her parents wouldn't be happy about her visiting Tituba—in fact, they'd be pretty furious. But she decides to do it anyway. For Susanna, knowing about her sea-faring bro is more important than making her parents happy. And that is one decision that Susanna can never take back.
Quote #3
"Why let Betty and Abigail have all the sport? They were the center of attention. The other girls and I discussed it. We decided this was our chance to take part in something very wondrous."
"Wondrous?" I could not abide what I was hearing.
"Yes! It was our chance to break out of the chains they bind us with in this dreary place. But also, we couldn't abandon Abigail and Betty. They didn't have the sense to carry this matter through and not be discovered. They needed our advice." (8.40-42)
When Ann joins the afflicted girls, she makes a huge decision. For Ann, this choice is all about freedom and power—she's bored by her town and wants to have some fun. Well we wouldn't call accusing people of witchcraft fun, but that's Ann's new favorite sport. And she seems pretty pleased with her decision, don't you think?