…if anyone breathe a word or the edge of a word about the other things, I will come to you in the black of some terrible night, and I will bring with me a pointy reckoning that will shudder you! And you know I can do it. I saw Indians smash my dear parents’ heads on the pillow next to mine. And I have seen some reddish work done at night. And I can make you wish you had never seen the sun go down! – Abigail
Context
· Spoken by Abigail
· Spoken to Betty, Mary, Mercy
· Abigail is trying to intimidate the girls into silence. She knows that if the truth gets out she will be ruined. She threatens violence upon the others.
· Abigail is fearful that the truth may emerge, but also cunning enough to defend herself. The quote reveals how far she is willing to go to keep her name.
Analysis
· Aggressive, threatening tone.
· “Terrible night” – emphasizes the intimidation – the adjective gives the threat more force.
· “black” – Connotations of secrecy, but also of witchcraft, or sinister actions.
· “a word, or the edge of a word” – stresses the need for secrecy – not even the suggestion of a word can be spoken without Abby threatening to kill.
· Anaphora – “And” – Builds up the size of the threat – makes it seem more plausible. Repetition makes it sound as though she is improvising – reflecting a desperate state of mind?
