--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: ...I can. And there's your first marvel…" description: "\"“...I can. And there's your first marvel, that I can. You have made your magic now, for now I do think I see some shred of goodness in John Proctor. No..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e02/arthur-miller-947_john-proctor_i-can-and-there-s-your-first-marvel-that_2132171.jpg" --- # ...I can. And there's your first marvel, that I can. You… ![“...I can. And there's your first marvel, that I can. You have made your magic now, for now I do think I see some shred of goodness in John Proctor. Not enough to weave a banner with, but white enough to keep it from such dogs. (Elizabeth, in a burst of terror, rushes to him and weeps against his…” quote by Arthur Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e02/arthur-miller-947_john-proctor_i-can-and-there-s-your-first-marvel-that_2132171.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e02/arthur-miller-947_john-proctor_i-can-and-there-s-your-first-marvel-that_2132171.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e02/arthur-miller-947_john-proctor_i-can-and-there-s-your-first-marvel-that_2132171.jpg) > ““...I can. And there's your first marvel, that I can. You have made your magic now, for now I do think I see some shred of goodness in John Proctor. Not enough to weave a banner with, but white enough to keep it from such dogs. (Elizabeth, in a burst of terror, rushes to him and weeps against his hand.) Give them no tear! Tears pleasure them. Show honor now, show a stony heart and sink them with it!”” [Arthur Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-miller/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A character asserts personal agency, recognizing a sliver of goodness in a flawed person, urging emotional restraint and stoic resolve. **In simple terms:** Even flawed people can show some good; stay resolute. Key Takeaway Acknowledge small virtues, stay steadfast. Themes redemption humanity resilience emotional control morality Mood tense dramatic hopeful Type literary theatrical When to use this quote - personal crisis - conflict resolution - leadership - moral decision making Key Concepts character development ethical dilemma psychology Questions to Reflect On - Can you find goodness in those you oppose? - When is emotional restraint harmful? A Different Perspective Stoic restraint may suppress needed empathy. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [I do think I see some shred of goodness in John Proctor. Not enough to weave a banner with, but white enough to keep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-proctor/i-do-think-i-see-some-shred-of-goodness-in-john-proctor-not-enough-to/) [John Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-proctor/) > [“John Proctor: I will fall like an ocean on that court!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-miller/john-proctor-i-will-fall-like-an-ocean-on-that-court/) [Arthur Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-miller/) > [“I look for John Proctor that took me from my sleep and put knowledge in my heart! I never knew what pretence Salem was,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-miller/i-look-for-john-proctor-that-took-me-from-my-sleep-and-put-knowledge/) [Arthur Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-miller/) > [I look for the John Proctor who took me from my sleep and put knowledge in my heart!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abigail-williams/i-look-for-the-john-proctor-who-took-me-from-my-sleep-and-put/) [Abigail Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abigail-williams/) > [A fire, a fire is burning! I hear the boot of Lucifer, I see his filthy face! And it is my face, and yours,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-fire-a-fire-is-burning-i-hear-the-boot-of-lucifer-i-see-his-filthy/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Mary fell asleep early, but her dreams were most unpleasant. She was a mouse running across the kitchen floor, and Elizabeth was a sharp-clawed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-george/mary-fell-asleep-early-but-her-dreams-were-most-unpleasant-she-was-a/) [Margaret George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-george/) > [PROCTOR--he knows it is insane: No, it is not the same! What others say and what i sign to is not the same!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-miller/proctor-he-knows-it-is-insane-no-it-is-not-the-same-what-others-say/) [Arthur Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-miller/) > [PROCTOR, his mind wild, breathless: I say--I say--God is dead!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-miller/proctor-his-mind-wild-breathless-i-say-i-say-god-is-dead/) [Arthur Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-miller/) > [I went to the William Penn Charter School in Philadelphia, where I had a teacher really named Edward Shakespeare. He was a very influential…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-picardo/i-went-to-the-william-penn-charter-school-in-philadelphia-where-i-had/) [Robert Picardo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-picardo/) > [I am John Proctor! You will not use me! It is no part of salvation that you should use me!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-proctor/i-am-john-proctor-you-will-not-use-me-it-is-no-part-of-salvation-that/) [John Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-proctor/) > [“Proctor is a moralist who says, “I’ve always believed that why a subject behaved as he did was a proper subject for medical study,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/proctor-is-a-moralist-who-says-i-ve-always-believed-that-why-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Goody Proctor is a gossiping liar!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abigail-williams/goody-proctor-is-a-gossiping-liar/) [Abigail Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abigail-williams/) > [“Thomas Ambrose Proctor!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-setterfield/thomas-ambrose-proctor/) [Diane Setterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-setterfield/) > [“BOB PROCTOR If you see it in your mind, you’re going to hold it in your hand.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhonda-byrne/bob-proctor-if-you-see-it-in-your-mind-you-re-going-to-hold-it-in/) [Rhonda Byrne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhonda-byrne/) ## More by Arthur Miller > [If a person measures his spiritual fulfillment in terms of cosmic visions, surpassing peace of mind, or ecstasy, then he is not likely to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-miller/if-a-person-measures-his-spiritual-fulfillment-in-terms-of-cosmic/) [Arthur Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-miller/) > [“If you can fall in love again and again, if you can forgive your parents for the crime of bringing you into the world,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-miller/if-you-can-fall-in-love-again-and-again-if-you-can-forgive-your/) [Arthur Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-miller/) > [The wedding of Christianity or Judaism with nationalism is lethal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-miller/the-wedding-of-christianity-or-judaism-with-nationalism-is-lethal/) [Arthur Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-miller/) > [“I know what's wrong with me - I could never stand still for death! Which you've got to do by a certain age, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-miller/i-know-what-s-wrong-with-me-i-could-never-stand-still-for-death-which/) [Arthur Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-miller/) > [You cannot catch a child's spirit by running after it; you must stand still and for love it will soon itself return.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-miller/you-cannot-catch-a-child-s-spirit-by-running-after-it-you-must-stand/) [Arthur Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-miller/) > [ “(Looking at the letter in his hand) Then what is this if it isn’t telling me? Sure, \[Larry\] was my son. But I think… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-miller/looking-at-the-letter-in-his-hand-then-what-is-this-if-it-isn-t/) [Arthur Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-miller/) > [The two greatest plays ever written were Hamlet and Oedipus Rex, and they're both about father-son relationships.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-miller/the-two-greatest-plays-ever-written-were-hamlet-and-oedipus-rex-and/) [Arthur Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-miller/) > [A character is defined by the kinds of challenges he cannot walk away from. And by those he has walked away from that cause…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-miller/a-character-is-defined-by-the-kinds-of-challenges-he-cannot-walk-away/) [Arthur Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-miller/) > [Everybody likes a kidder, but nobody lends him money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-miller/everybody-likes-a-kidder-but-nobody-lends-him-money/) [Arthur Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-miller/) > [The American Dream is the largely unacknowledged screen in front of which all American writing plays itself out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-miller/the-american-dream-is-the-largely-unacknowledged-screen-in-front-of/) [Arthur Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-miller/) > [“When it is recalled that until the Christian era the underworld was never regardded as a hostile area, that all gods were useful and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-miller/when-it-is-recalled-that-until-the-christian-era-the-underworld-was/) [Arthur Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-miller/) > [“Elizabeth, with great fear: I will fear nothing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-miller/elizabeth-with-great-fear-i-will-fear-nothing/) [Arthur Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-miller/) > [I know you're no worse than most men but I thought you were better. I never saw you as a man. I saw you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-miller/i-know-you-re-no-worse-than-most-men-but-i-thought-you-were-better-i/) [Arthur Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-miller/) > [The best of our theater is standing on tiptoe, striving to see over the shoulders of father and mother. The worst is exploiting and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-miller/the-best-of-our-theater-is-standing-on-tiptoe-striving-to-see-over/) [Arthur Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-miller/) > [“I only ask you one thing- don't trust nobody”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-miller/i-only-ask-you-one-thing-don-t-trust-nobody/) [Arthur Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-miller/) [Explore all 322 Arthur Miller quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-miller/) ## More John-proctor quotes > [A fire, a fire is burning! I hear the boot of Lucifer, I see his filthy face! And it is my face, and yours,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-fire-a-fire-is-burning-i-hear-the-boot-of-lucifer-i-see-his-filthy/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) Browse all 2 John-proctor quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“...I can. And there's your first marvel, that I can. You have made your magic now, for now I do think I see some shred of goodness in John Proctor. Not enough to weave a banner with, but white enough to keep it from such dogs. (Elizabeth, in a burst of terror, rushes to him and weeps against his hand.) Give them no tear! Tears pleasure them. Show honor now, show a stony heart and sink them with it!”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Arthur Miller" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-miller/i-can-and-there-s-your-first-marvel-that-i-can-you-have-made-your/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "John-proctor" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-miller/i-can-and-there-s-your-first-marvel-that-i-can-you-have-made-your/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e02/arthur-miller-947_john-proctor_i-can-and-there-s-your-first-marvel-that_2132171.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e02/arthur-miller-947_john-proctor_i-can-and-there-s-your-first-marvel-that_2132171.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e02/arthur-miller-947_john-proctor_i-can-and-there-s-your-first-marvel-that_2132171.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“...I can. And there's your first marvel, that I can. You have made your magic now, for now I do think I see…” — Arthur Miller", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Arthur Miller", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-miller/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“...I can. And there's your first...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-miller/i-can-and-there-s-your-first-marvel-that-i-can-you-have-made-your/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-miller/i-can-and-there-s-your-first-marvel-that-i-can-you-have-made-your/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```