The Crucible Act II

What has been going on between the close of Act I and the opening of Act II? A court has been convened to try people on charges of witchcraft.

What role has Abigail Williams been playing in the proceedings? Abigail leads a group of girls who are prosecution witnesses.

Why does Elizabeth want John to go to Salem? To tell the court that Abigail is a fraud.

Why might Proctor have previously hesitated to tell the court what Abigail told him about witchcraft? Proctor may have hesitated because he knows his sin of lechery would come out.

What does this hesitation suggest about his character? His moral superiority is a façade/he doesn’t want to embarrass his family.

What does the court accept as evidence that someone is a witch? If the girls are hysterical when the accused faces them, the person is guilty.

Which characters seem to consider this evidence valid? Which do not? Valid—Mary Warren, Hale, Cheever Invalid—John, Elizabeth, Giles, Francis Nurse

What, do you think, accounts for their differences of opinion? Families of the accusers consider the evidence valid, those from families that have been accused disagree. Personal motives and private beliefs about witchcraft may account for the different opinions.

Why does Hale come to the Proctor’s house? Elizabeth’s name has been “somewhat mentioned” in the court.

How does Hale seem to feel about his own judgment and the courts How does Hale seem to feel about his own judgment and the courts? Explain. Hale hopes to assure himself that the Proctors are not guilty, but he believes the court is doing God’s work.

What is used as evidence against Elizabeth Proctor? She possesses a poppet with a needle in its belly after Abigail discovers a needle in her own belly. She says that Abigail “must be ripped out of the world.”

What, according to Elizabeth Proctor, is Abigail’s motivation for accusing her of being a witch? Abigail desires for Elizabeth to hang so that she can marry John Proctor.

What does Reverend Hale mean when he says, “ What does Reverend Hale mean when he says, “. . . If Rebecca Nurse be tainted, then nothing’s left to stop the whole green world from burning?” If someone who is truly moral and good can be tainted by these proceedings, then they all will be tainted.

What does Mary Warren confess in relation to Elizabeth and the poppet, and John and Abigail? Mary Warren confesses that she is the one who stuck the needle in the poppet for safekeeping Mary also confesses that she knows about the relationship between Abigail and John Proctor.

How does Proctor react to Mary Warren’s fears and her claim that Abigail will charge Proctor with lechery? Proctor is determined to expose Abigail’s lies.

What do you think Proctor means when he says “ What do you think Proctor means when he says “. . . we are only what we always were, but naked now?” He and Abigail are still frauds, but the pretense will be stripped away, and the truth known.

Literary Elements-Theme

How do the lies that are spoken and the truth that is revealed in Act II compare with those of Act I? The lies told and the truths revealed in Act I relate to the denials and false accusations of witchcraft. In Act II they deal with responses to actual charges of witchcraft.

How might truth and lies relate to the development of the plays themes? Given the chance, some people will lie about others to protect themselves, while others will not. Or, when character is tested, some people show strength while others are cowardly.

Integrity/Courage “If you think that I am one, then I say there are none.” (Elizabeth, 1072) “John – I think I must go with them.” (Elizabeth, 1077)

Revenge “Oh, the noose, the noose is up!” “She wants me dead, John, you know it!” (Elizabeth, 1066) “Abigail Williams … testify it were your wife’s familiar spirit pushed it in.” (Cheever, 1075)

Guilt “But I wilted, and, like a Christian, I confessed. Confessed! (Proctor, 1064) “… begrudge me not my anger!” (Proctor, 1068) “My wife will never die for me!” (Proctor, 1079)

Fear “I cannot charge murder on Abigail.” (Mary Warren, 1078) “She’ll kill me for sayin’ that!” (Mary Warren, 1079)