The Crucible Act 2

John is asked to recite the Ten Commandments. What is ironic about the one he leaves out?

He forgets "Thou shalt not commit adultery," which is the one he broke.

With what external conflicts is John Proctor struggling in Act 2?

He is arguing with his wife, Elizabeth, about going to court, he argues with Mary Warren about going to Salem, he argues with Hale about Reverend Parris, and he argues with Cheever and Herrick about arresting Elizabeth and handcuffing her.

What are the main motives of John Proctor in Act 2?

He is trying to keep his wife happy and to get the truth out. He wants to save his wife.

What are the main motives of Reverend Hale in Act 2?

He is trying to uncover the truth in the matters and determine who is guilty and who is not.

What does Proctor mean when he says, "We are only what we always were, but naked now"?

He means that no one in the town has suddenly become more evil, but that they always had those hidden sins. Now it's clear to everyone - no longer to be hidden behind the black veil.

Explain this quotation: Proctor: "My wife will never die for me! I will bring your guts into your mouth but that goodness will not die for me!"

He wants Mary Warren to speak on his behalf to tell the truth so Elizabeth is not punished for his guilty act of adultery.

How and why does Abigail's plan with the poppet work?

Her plan works because she tricks Mary Warren into doing her dirty work, Elizabeth and John tend to be somewhat hot-headed so their reputation is questionable, and the adults of the town are willing to believe the girls because what they are saying feeds their prejudices and grudges against people.

With what internal conflicts is John Proctor struggling in Act 2?

His guilt and shame from his affair with Abigail and whether he should go to court to speak out against Abigail.

Name the figurative language used. "If Rebecca Nurse be tainted, then nothing's left to stop the whole green world from burning."

Hyperbole

Explain the biblical allusion when Proctor calls Hale Pontius Pilate.

Instead of standing up for what was right when the Jews imprisoned Jesus and wanted to crucify him, Pontius Pilate chose to step back and "wash his hands" of the situation, saying he wasn't going to be a part of it. Hale shows the same cowardice by allowing them to arrest Elizabeth when he knows-and has proof- of her innocence.

Who said it? "Woman, am I so base? Do you truly think me base?"

John Proctor

How is Abigail indirectly characterized in this Act?

John and Elizabeth speak harshly about her; She orchestrated the entire "voodoo" needle scene, which is what results in Elizabeth's arrest.

Name the figurative language used. "I have not moved from there to here without I think to please you, and still an everlasting funeral marches about your heart."

Metaphor

Name the figurative language used. "Proctor stands there, gulping air. Horses and a wagon creaking are heard."

Onomatopoeia

Pallor

Paleness

What does John Proctor mean by the following quote? "I'll tell you what's walking Salem—vengeance is walking Salem. We are what we always were in Salem, but now the little crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom, and common vengeance writes the law! This warrant's vengeance! I'll not give my wife to vengeance!"

People are accusing their neighbors of witchcraft not because they believe they are witches, but for their own personal gain and to exact revenge for past grievances. The girls are running the town now, and no one is safe. He does not want his wife to die because Abigail is trying to get her revenge.

With what external conflicts does Elizabeth struggle in Act 2?

She argues with John about going to the court in Salem, she argues with Herrick and Cheever about witchcraft, and she is arrested for witchcraft.

Why is Abigail a static character?

She is always calculating and manipulative- she never grows as a character.

With what internal conflicts does Elizabeth struggle in Act 2?

She is depressed and struggles with standing up for herself to John.

What are the main motives of Elizabeth Proctor in Act 2?

She is trying to end the trials, protect her family, and save her own life.

What are the main motives of Abigail Williams in Act 2?

She is trying to get John Proctor at any cost and kill Elizabeth Proctor

Name the figurative language used. "I will fall like an ocean on that court!"

Simile

Abomination

Something that causes disgust and horror

Describe the dynamic of John and Elizabeth's relationship?

The relationship is strained and somewhat bitter because of John's infidelity. John "aims to please" Elizabeth, but she still holds a grudge, and he still gives her reason to doubt. Nonetheless, he doesn't want "that goodness [Elizabeth] to die for [him]."

Quail

To cringe from

Gingerly

cautiously

Deference

courteous regard or respect

Avidly

eagerly

Base

low, mean spirited

Blasphemy

sinful act or remark

Theology

the study of religion

Ameliorate

to make better

What do the officials find in the Proctor home that convinces them of Elizabeth's guilt?

A doll (poppet) with a needle in the stomach.

Who is behind the "evidence" used to convict Elizabeth and how did she do it?

Abigail; She saw Mary sewing the poppet and stick the needle in the stomach of it, and later stabbed herself in the stomach with a needle.

Name the figurative language used. "Man, remember, until an hour before the Devil fell, God thought him beautiful in Heaven."

Allusion

What did Reverend Hale mean when he told Mary she was charging "a cold and cruel murder on Abigail"?

By claiming that Abigail knew Mary put the needle in the poppet, Mary is saying that Abigail is lying about her accusation of witchcraft against Elizabeth and, therefore, trying to murder her.

Who said it? "Why—! The girl is murder! She must be ripped out of the world!"

Elizabeth Proctor

Who said it? "delicately: 'Adultery, John.'"

Elizabeth Proctor

At the beginning of the act, Elizabeth says, "The town's gone wild." By the end of the act there was much more truth in that statement than she knew when she said it. What literary technique is used here, and what events took place over the course of this act that show "the devil is loose in Salem"?

Foreshadowing. By the end of this act, several more people have been accused of witchcraft even though they are innocent. In fact, Elizabeth herself is accused by Abigail of witchcraft, and she is arrested. The judges are in town hearing accusations from the girls and aren't willing to listen to the truth.

Who said it? "My wife is the very brick and mortar of the church, Mr. Hale—indicating Giles—and Martha Corey, there cannot be a woman closer yet to God than Martha."

Francis Nurse

Who said it? "That bloody mongrel Walcott charge her. Y'see, he buy a pig of my wife four or five year ago, and the pig died soon after. So he come dancin' in for his money back."

Giles Corey