The Crucible Act II
Why does Elizabeth say that she doesn't believe in witches at this point?
Elizabeth says she is an honest, upright woman and that Salem knows her to be a good woman. If the court thinks she is secretly a witch, then she doesn't believe in witches.
What does Elizabeth ask John to do?
Elizabeth wants John to go and talk to Abigail. He is to make Abigail understand that the affair is over.
Why does Reverend Hale visit the Proctors?
Hale says he is trying to get to know those people who are accused. Hale wants to ask the Proctors about their religious beliefs.
What does Reverend Hale want John to do with this information?
Hale wants Proctor to testify in court.
At the beginning of this act, John Proctor says, "It is winter in here yet." Why is this pertinent to what is going on?
In a literal sense, John is saying that Elizabeth should brighten up the house with some flowers, etc. John is also alluding to the fact that there is still a distance between them because Elizabeth has not forgiven John.
What "lie" did John Proctor tell to Elizabeth that makes her more suspicious of him?
John did not tell Elizabeth that he was alone with Abigail.
Why hasn't John told the court what he knows? In Elizabeth's opinion, what causes John's silence?
John doesn't know how he can prove that Abigail lied. Elizabeth says John is hesitating because he doesn't want to hurt Abigail.
Why has Mary Warren disobeyed her employers and gone to Salem?
She is an official of the court.
According to Elizabeth, what did Abigail Williams reveal to John Proctor?
Abigail told John that "it had naught to do with witchcraft."
Explain why Cheever is both astonished and afraid when he finds out the poppet with the needle in it?
At dinner Abigail screamed. When examined, there was a needle in her stomach. Abigail claimed that Elizabeth's spirit shoved the needle in. Cheever then found a poppet in the Proctor house with a needle in its stomach.
How does John Proctor respond to the questions about why he has not been to church?
At first Proctor says he couldn't come because Elizabeth had been sick. Proctor then criticizes the fact that Parris has the wrong priorities (such as golden candlesticks). Finally Proctor says he doesn't want Parris to baptize his child because he doesn't see the light of God in Parris.
Why do Ezekiel Cheever and Marshal Herrick arrive at the Proctor home?
Cheever and Herrick are to search the Proctor house and arrest Elizabeth.
What does Elizabeth realize when she finds out that she has been accused?
Elizabeth immediately suspects that Abigail wants her dead.
What does Mary Warren mean when she says, "I saved her life today!"?
Elizabeth was "somewhat mentioned" in the proceedings. Mary told the court that she never saw Elizabeth do anything that would suggest witchcraft.
What news does Giles Corey reveal to the Proctors and Reverend Hale?
Giles says that his wife, Martha, has been arrested. Rebecca Nurse has also been arrested.
What does John ask Mary Warren to do?
John wants Mary to tell the court how the poppet came to be in the Proctor house and who stuck the needle in it.
What does John decide to do?
John will still go to court with Mary and they will both tell the truth.
Why has Martha Corey been accused?
Martha is accused of bewitching Mr. Walcott's pigs.
Why does Mary Warren warn John about testifying against Abigail?
Mary says Abigail will reveal the affair and ruin John's reputation.
Why is Mary so afraid to do as he asks?
Mary says that Abigail will kill her.
What news does Mary Warren reveal to John and Elizabeth about the trials?
Mary says that there are now 39 accused of witchcraft. Goody Osburn was convicted and will hang. Sarah Good confessed to being a witch so she will not hang.
How does Mary Warren behave towards her employers?
Mary stands up for herself. She tells Proctor that she won't stand for whipping anymore.
Which commandment does John forget? Why is this significant?
Proctor forgets adultery, which is the Commandment he broke.
What does Reverend Hale ask Proctor to do?
Proctor is to say the Ten Commandments.
What information does John Proctor reveal to Reverend Hale?
Proctor tells Hale that Abigail said the girls' behavior had nothing to do with witchcraft.
What has Rebecca Nurse been accused of doing?
Rebecca is accused of murdering Goody Putnam's babies.