CRUCIBLE ACT 2

The Crucible, Act II] In Act II, after returning from the courts, how many people does Mary Warren say have now been arrested?

39

The Crucible, Act II] In Act II, why do Francis Nurse and Giles Corey show up at Proctor's door?

Both of their wives have been arrested

The Crucible, Act II] Where

Proctors home

The Crucible, Act II] In Act II, when Proctor and Elizabeth are having supper, Proctor says that he and Abigail were alone when she admitted all of the witchcraft business was nonsense. How does Elizabeth react to this information?

She points out that this is different from what he had told her originally.

The Crucible, Act II] In Act II, when Reverend Hale enters the Proctor house, the playwright describes him as "different now - drawn a little, and there is a quality of deference, even of guilt, about his manner now." Using text-based evidence, explain what has caused Reverend Hale to change so much since Act I.

Student answers may include, but are not limited to the following: Reverend Hale came to Salem earnest in his belief in his studies and in his crusade to rid the world of witchcraft; however, the swiftness with which the politics of the town turned were more than he could handle. The number of women arrested shot up from fourteen to thirty-nine and it continued. Reverend Hale felt guilty for bringing legitimacy to the way in which the townspeople took out their hatred on each other. He is now uncomfortable with the trials and looking for actual evidence, not just accusations.

The Crucible, Act II] In Act II, after Elizabeth has been taken to prison, what does Mary Warren say she fears will happen to her if she speaks up against Abigail?

The girls will turn on her

The Crucible, Act II] In Act II, what do we learn is the reason Rebecca Nurse was arrested?

The supernatural murder of Goody Proctors Babies

The Crucible, Act II] In Act II, what does Proctor call Hale, after allowing Elizabeth to be taken to prison?

A coward

The Crucible, Act II] In Act II, what piece of evidence does Cheever find in Proctor's house that justifies his arrest of Elizabeth?

A poppet

[The Crucible, Act II] In Act II, after Elizabeth learns her name was mentioned in court today, Elizabeth says she believes someone wants her dead. Who does she think accused her and wants her dead?

Abigail

[The Crucible, Act II] In Act II, what is Proctor's reaction to hearing Cheever tell the story about Abigail and the pin in her belly? He says...

Abigail did it herself

[The Crucible, Act II] In Act II, which answer best describes John and Elizabeth's feelings towards one another at the start of John's supper?

Cordial with an underlying disappointment from Elizabeth toward John.

In Act II, Reverend Hale visits the Proctor home because he has found it "hard to draw a clear opinion of them that come accused before the court." Reverend Hale asks John Proctor some questions in order to determine the "Christian character of this house." Using text-based information, complete the graphic organizer by identifying three details about the Proctors which make them seem suspicious and John Proctor's explanation for each one.

Detail Proctor's Explanation John Proctor is "rarely in the church on Sabbath Day." Elizabeth was sick, so he stayed at home to take care of her and did his praying at home. Proctor says he found Reverend Parris's request for golden candlesticks to show an unacceptable desire for material goods. Proctor does not see Rev. Parris as a spiritual leader. The youngest of the Proctor's three children is not baptized. Proctor again expresses his contempt for Reverend Parris when he says, " I see no light of God in that man. I'll not conceal it." Proctor therefore does not want Reverend Parris to baptize his (John's) children. Proctor is asked to recite the Ten Commandments. Proctor can recite all of them but one. He forgets the commandment which forbids adultery. His comment to Reverend Hale is "I think it be a small fault."

The Crucible, Act II] In Act II, Hale asks about Proctor's sons. Why has Proctor not had his third son baptized?

He doesn't want Parris touching his child

[The Crucible, Act II] In Act II, after Hale has finished conducting his interview of the Proctors, what information does Proctor give to Hale to help save the fate of his wife?

He knows the girls have nothing to do with witch craft- they are lying

[The Crucible, Act II] In Act II, Proctor tells Elizabeth what Abigail has told him about how the girls are faking. What is Elizabeth's suggestion for John to do?

He needs to go to Salem and tell them it's all lies

The Crucible, Act II] In Act II, when asked by Hale to recite the ten commandments, why would it be considered ironic that Proctor forgets the commandment dealing with adultery?

It is the sin he has committed.

The Crucible, Act II] Act II opens as John and Elizabeth Proctor are having a conversation in their farmhouse. This is the first time we see the two of them together. While John Proctor appeared in Act I, the knowledge we have of Elizabeth Proctor is based on what others have said about her. Using text-based evidence, explain what we learn about each of them from this conversation, and what we learn about their relationship.

John Proctor kisses Elizabeth Proctor, but the stage directions say, "She receives it. With a certain disappointment." This interaction shows John Proctor's attempt to repair his relationship with his wife and it also shows Elizabeth Proctor's difficultly in moving past the shadow of what happened between John and Abigail. Elizabeth wonders why John is late arriving home, and she asks whether he had gone to Salem. Her question reflects her continued distrust of him since the affair with Abigail. John Proctor and Elizabeth Proctor's relationship is strained. There is a distance between them. Their conversation is forced and when John says, "It's winter in here yet," the allusion to their chilly exchange is clear. When Elizabeth discovers that John has spoken to Abigail alone about the witch accusations, Elizabeth is more shaken that he kept the conversation from her than she is about what he's learned. The exchange finally leads to John Proctor accusing Elizabeth of not forgetting what's happened and not forgiving him. Elizabeth remains reserved and points out that he said he saw Abigail in a crowd, thus suggesting some intentional deception on his part.

The Crucible, Act II] In Act II, after ripping up the warrant, Proctor rants about who is in control in Salem. Who does he say is "jangling the keys"?

Little crazy children

In Act II, Ezekiel Cheever arrives at the Proctor house to search Elizabeth's possessions for a poppet since Abigail has named Elizabeth as a witch. Using text-based evidence, explain the background and significance of the poppet that Cheever finds in the Proctor home.

Poppets are supposedly used in spells associated with witchcraft; therefore, even though Elizabeth claims the poppet belongs to Mary Warren, it provides ample suspicion that Elizabeth is involved in witchcraft. When Cheever checks the poppet, he discovers a needle stuck in it. This is consistent with Abigail's behavior in the courthouse when she suddenly fell to the floor and screamed "like a struck beast." According to Cheever, Abigail testified that Elizabeth had poppets and when he went to assist Abigail, he removed a needle which was "stuck two inches in the flesh of her belly." Abigail is clearly implicating Elizabeth with this poppet. It has become evidence to prove Abigail's claim that Elizabeth Proctor is a witch.

[The Crucible, Act II] In Act II, after returning from her work at the court, what does Mary Warren say she believes about the work she is doing at the courthouse, accusing people of witchcraft?

She believes she is doing good and holy work

[The Crucible, Act II] In Act II, towards the end of the scene in his house, what does Proctor rip up?

The warrent

The Crucible, Act II] In Act II, during their supper, Elizabeth tells John that fourteen people have been jailed and will be hanged unless...

They confess to witchcraft

The Crucible, Act II] In Act II, after Hale's arrival at Proctor's home, why does Hale question the Proctors about their attendance at church?

They seem to disregard the responsibilities of the church

[The Crucible, Act II] In Act II, Elizabeth is arrested for witchcraft. John Proctor knows the only way to save his wife is to discredit Abigail and her claims. Using text-based evidence, explain why Mary Warren won't admit she made the poppet and planted it in the house. In addition, explain how this incident contributes to John Proctor's internal conflict.

When Elizabeth is arrested and taken away, John Proctor tells Mary that she will go to court the next day and "tell the court how the poppet come here and who stuck the needle in." Mary Warren is terrified and convinced Abigail will kill her. Abigail has used fear to control the girls and make them do her bidding. Elizabeth Proctor's arrest intensifies John Proctor's internal conflict. As much as he wants to have his wife cleared of witchcraft and freed, he doesn't want to publicly acknowledge his affair with Abigail. He views himself as a good man and such an admission would reveal him to be a sinner - an adulterer. He struggles with how to save his wife and still preserve his reputation.