What does this quote mean from The Crucible?

Question

This quote:
"The promise that a stallion gives a mare I gave that girl"

Answer 1

That is John Proctor's response to his wife's assertion that taking a woman to bed always involves an implicit promise.

The previous responder is basically correct. John's point is that he didn't make any promise. However this evades his wife's assertion that an IMPLICIT promise is made, and also her point that whether or not he intended it, Abigail Williams will interpret it that way (as in fact she does).

Answer 2

Reading it, I would say that is has to do with sex. The only thing that a stallion gives a mare is sex for procreation, and he is saying he has done that with the girl...he is using her for sex.

Hope this helps

Good luck!

Answer 3

John Proctor gives this statement to his wife when she says that the sex act between John and whatshername created an unspoken promise between them. Proctor is telling his wife that it was just an act of sex--that it was simply fulfilling a basic animal instinct.