The Crucible Act 2- Reputations and Hearsay

Changing Character Motivations…or is it Changing Character Motivations…or is it? Use the following statements to prove or disprove a change in motivation. Proctor-”I-I think I cannot. These are my friends. Their wives are also accused.” Parris-”Beware this man, Your Excellency, this man is mischief.” Hale-”Is every defense an attack on the court?” Danforth- “If I should tell you now that I will let her be kept another month, and if she begin to show her natural signs, you shall have her living yet another year-what say you to that?”

A Power Struggle In Act 1, we discussed the importance of ________being what dictates your social ranking in the town. How has this changed in Act 2? We have three very highly esteemed men that are pleading for their wives, why are they not being heard as they would have been just a few months before? Where has the power gone? How do we see/know this?

The Importance of the Court Danforth states, “…But you must understand, sir, that a person is either with this court, or he must be counted against it, there be no road between. Why is this so essential in understanding where this court is headed? Why is there no room for doubt in these proceedings? What would that mean for the people involved?

Hearsay and Heresy in Act 2 Look up the definitions of both of these words and explain how they are both occurring currently in Act 2.

Ironic Court Proceedings Why are the following statements ironic? Hathorne- “How do you know, then, that you are not a witch?” Danforth-”The pure in heart need no lawyers, proceed as you will.” Parris-”All innocent and Christian people are happy for the courts in Salem!” Danforth- “No, no I accept no depositions…”