Assistance with 'The Crucible' book please?

[sunnybouorm]

Hey, I've finished reading the book yet there's a few lines I fail to comprehend. It's between Reverend Parris and Goody Nurse with minor input from Mr Hale. It goes as follows

Mr Hale: I cannot tell. If she is truly in the Devil's grip we may have to rip and tear to get her free.

Rebecca: I think I'll go, then. I am too old for this. [She rises].

Parris [striving for conviction]: Why, Rebecca, we may open up the boil of all our troubles today! <<<

Rebecca: Let us hope for that. I go to god for you, sir. <<<

Parris: [with trepidation - and resentment]: I hope you do not mean we go to Satan here! [slight pause]. <<<

Rebecca: I wish I knew. [She goes out; they feel resentful of her note of moral superiority.] <<<


Can someone please explain the tension between the two in the lines marked with <<< or explain what the lines mean? Thanks so much for all your help.

 

[Sam K]

The fourth line when rebecca is talking. She is basically saying she preys to god for Parris or something like that.

The fifth Line where Parris is talking. He is saying he does'nt want anything to do with evil. Satan is representing the Devil

Thats what I think those 2 lines mean. Idk about the other ones tho.

 

[jess]

The whole section is basically talking about how they will finally discover the cause of all their troubles, from Parris' line. Then Rebecca just says that she will pray for Parris, and he assumes she is accusing him of worshipping the devil-this really ties in with the theme of mass hysteria. When she says "I wish I knew", she is mainly talking about how although she doesn't believe they are involved with the devil, they are feeding the problems within the town and whilst they are not actually doing the devils work, they are helping to do so by making accusations that will eventually lead to the incarceration of half the town.

In short, Rebecca doesnt completely believe in everything that is happening and is mad at Parris for exaggerating the problems.