The Crucible Act 2 Study Guide

What has Rebecca Nurse been accused of?

"For the marvelous and supernatural murder of Goody Putnam's babies."

Why does Elizabeth say she does't believe in witches at this point?

"I am a good woman, I know it; and if you believe I may do only good work in the world, and yet be secretly bound to Satan, then I must tell you, sir, I do not believe it."

Why was Martha taken? Who is to blame?

Because she bewitched someone from being able to keep pigs alive and she read books that stopped her husband from praying. Giles is to blame.

Why don't people stand up to Abigail?

Because they are afraid of her and she knows people's secrets.

Who arrests Elizabeth

Cheever

Why does Cheever come to the Proctor house?

Cheever comes to arrest Elizabeth.

Explain why Cheever is both astonished and afraid when he finds the "poppet" (small doll) with the needle in it.

Earlier, Abigail had a fit and Parris pulled a needle out of her midsection. Cheever believes the poppet(small doll) with a needle in it is proof that Elizabeth performed witchcraft on Abigail and caused her injury.

She says she does not believe in witches if she is being accused of being a witch

Elizabeth Proctor

How is the accusation of Elizabeth different from the others? What could this signify in the trial?

Elizabeth is a farmer's wife and well respectable; they actually had proof that she could be a witch. Now people know anyone, even the most respected, can be accused of witchcraft.

Elizabeth says that the judge lives in John's own heart. Who is right in this argument? And what is the important quote she said?

Elizabeth is right -- he thinks she judges him because he won't forget the wrong he did. Elizabeth said, "I do not judge you. The magistrate sits in heart that judges you."

Why does Elizabeth think Abigail wants to kill her?

Elizabeth knows of John's affair with Abby. She believes that Abby wants to take her place as John's wife.

What did Abigail Williams reveal to John Proctor?

Elizabeth reminds him of this; that the girls were just playing around in the woods and no witchcraft was involved.

Where does Elizabeth want John to go, and what does she want him to do there?

Elizabeth wants John to go into Salem to tell the authorities that the girls are not telling the truth.

Why did Hale come to Proctor's house?

Hale came out to question all accused persons for himself, so that he would have some knowledge of the people before they appeared in court or jail. He came to Proctor's house to question them to see if either of them had any suspicious activities which would relate to witchcraft.

What does Reverend Hale want John to do with this information?

Hale thinks John should testify in court.

Why does Reverend Hale visit the Proctors?

Hale visits the Proctors to test the Christian character of the home. He is investigating the stories and rumors heard in the court. Earlier, he was at the Rebecca Nurse's house. Hale is the investigator trying to find the truth.

How does John Proctor respond to questions about why he has not been to church?

He claims that his wife has been sick, that he doesn't agree with Parris on theological matters ("I see no light of God in that man."), and he thinks Parris is too concerned with material possessions.

Why does Cheever come to Proctor's house?

He comes to arrest Elizabeth.

What lie did John Proctor tell to Elizabeth which makes her more suspicious of him?

He didn't tell Elizabeth that he was alone with Abigail when they talked.

What motivates John to hold back from going to town?

He doesn't want Abigail to expose what they did because he doesn't want to ruin his reputation and he has no proof to deny it. (in this aspect he is like Rev. Parris)

Why doesn't Proctor want Mary back in court?

He doesn't want her to be apart of accusing "witches".

Which commandment does John forget and what does this mean?

He forgets the commandment about adultery. He didn't want to say the last one because that's the one he broke.

What is John's response to Elizabeth's prodding?

He is mad, aggravated, and thinks she's judging him.

What is John Proctor's response to Elizabeth's prodding to go to Salem to tell that the girls are lying?

He is reluctant to go.

What is John's response to her prodding?

He is reluctant to go. He understands that he probably should go, but he does not want to get personally involved with the activity.

Explain the metaphor of the "everlasting funeral" in Elizabeth's heart.

He means Elizabeth won't let go of what he did and won't forgive him.

What does John decide to do?

He tells Mary that they will both testify in court against Abigail. Although it will ruin him, he can't allow Elizabeth to die.

What does Reverend Hale ask Proctor to do?

He tells him to (recite) say the Ten Commandments.

Why did Reverend Hale come to Proctor's house?

He wanted to question them prior to seeing them in court.

Why did Hale come to the Proctor home and how has he changed?

He wanted to see why a respectable household was accused/mentioned in the court. He's changed because he's starting to have inner doubt.

What does John ask Mary Warren to do?

He wants her to explain to the court that she made the poppet(small doll), not Elizabeth.

Why does Cheever come to the Proctor home?

He was ordered, by the court, to look for a poppet.

What is the deciding factor in Elizabeth's arrest?

Her possession of the doll with then needle in it.

Why doesn't Proctor want Mary to go back to court?

If she goes back, that makes him further involved. Also, he believes that the accusations are false and the girls are frauds. It isn't a just court in Proctor's eyes.

What does Elizabeth say when Hale asks her if she believes in witches?

If she is accused of being a witch, she cannot believe in witches.

Hale asks Elizabeth if she believes in witches. What is her reply?

If she is accused of being a witch, she cannot believe in witches. However, if the Bible says that witches exist, she cannot dispute the Bible.

Hale ask Elizabeth if she believes in witches, what is her reply?

If she is accused of being a witch, she cannot believe in witches. However, if the Bible says witches exist, she cannot dispute the Bible.

What does the following quote mean: "The promise a stallion gives a mare I gave that girl"?

It means he didn't care about her and it was just sex, nothing more.

"We are only what we always were, but naked now". What does this mean?

It means that people true-selves are coming out; people are being exposed.

Why can't Proctor look at his wife when she was taken?

It's his fault and he can't do anything about it.

Explain the significance of the needle in the poppet.

It's how Abgail was able to accuse Elizabeth.

On what charge(s) was Rebecca Nurse arrested?

For killing the Putnam's babies.

What does Giles Corey reveal to the Proctors and Reverend Hale?

Giles says that his wife, Martha, and Rebecca Nurse have been taken to jail.

What news does Mary Warren reveal to John and Elizabeth about the trials?

Goody Osburn will hang and Goody Good confessed.

What does Elizabeth realize when she finds out that she has been accused?

That Abigail wants her dead so she can have John.

What is "wintery" about the home at the start of Act 2?

The marriage of John and Elizabeth is a little cold right now; she acts coldly toward him. Also references there will be rekindling in their marriage since spring comes after winter.

The charges against Rebecca Nurse

The marvelous and supernatural natural murder of Goody Putnam's babies

Why do Esekial Cheever and Marshal arrive at the Proctor home?

They have a warrant to arrest Elizabeth.

The reason Cheever comes to the Proctor house

To arrest Elizabeth

Why has Martha Corey been accused?

Walcott(a neighbor) claims that Martha has bewitched his pigs (thus killing them) with her books.

The reason Hale comes to the Proctor house

to question those accused or mentioned in court

At the beginning of Act 2, John Proctor says, "It is winter in here yet". Why is this pertinent to what is going on?

John and Elizabeth's relationship is still strained from his affair with Abigail. Elizabeth's demeanor is "frosty" and "cold" towards John.

What significance of the communication that is left out in Hale and Proctor's conversation?

John answers questions in a way so he can't be prosecuted. Hale thinks it's a big deal that John forgot the last one, but John thinks it's okay since he and Elizabeth know them all together.

What is suspicious to Hale about the Proctor home and its inhabitants?

John didn't go to church on the Sabbath Day, one child isn't baptized, and he couldn't say all of his commandments.

These things are suspicious about the Proctor's

John does not go to church regularly; one son has not been baptized; John did not know all 10 commandments

What does John's blush mean to him and Abigail?

John is feeling ashamed, but to Abigail it means he still likes her.

Why hasn't John Proctor told the court what he knows? What does Elizabeth attribute his not telling?

John worries how he would prove what Abigail said(since they were alone). Also, he is aware of the power she has gained. "If the girl's a saint now, I think it not easy to prove she's a fraud."

What gift did Mary give Elizabeth?

Mary gave Elizabeth a "poppet" (doll) she had made while sitting in court.

What gift does Mary give to Elizabeth and what is it's significance?

Mary gave her a poppet; which led Elizabeth to be accused of witchcraft.

When Hale and Proctor speak, what is each man's thought process? What is the purpose of each and how do they misunderstand each other?

Proctor thinks Hale is trying to accuse him, but really Hale is trying to find some good signs they aren't witches.

Who is the "brick and mortar" of the church? How so?

Rebecca is the "brick and mortar". She keeps the church together; without her the church will fall apart.

Hale asks Elizabeth if she believes in witches; how is her response significant?

She said she doesn't if she is accused of being one. She doesn't think witches can exist if a good woman like her can be accused.

Why is Mary so afraid to do as he asks?

She says that Abigail will kill her.

What does Elizabeth ask John to do?

She wants John to go to Salem and tell the court what Abigail had said to him about the incident in the woods.

Where does Elizabeth want John Proctor to go in the beginning of Act 2?

She wants him to go to Salem to tell the authoroties that the girls are lying.

Why does Mary want to be a part of the trial?

She wants power and she wants protection from being accused.

What will happen to Proctor if he tries to discredit Abigail?

She will tell that they had an affair.

What will happen to Proctor if he tries to discredit Abby?

She will tell that they had an affair; she will discredit his name by calling him a lecher.

What will happen to Proctor if he tries to discredit Abby?

She will tell them they had an affair, she will discredit his name by calling him a lecher.

This will happen if John Proctor tries to discredit Abby

She will tell they had an affair

What will happen if Proctor tries to discredit Abigail?

She would expose their affair and he would be know as a lecher.

Why doesn't Mary want to testify in court about the doll?

She's afraid of Abigail; she didn't want things to turn on her where she's accused of being a witch.

What things are suspicious about Proctor and his family?

1. He doesn't go to church regularly 2. His youngest son has not been baptized 3. He could not remember all of his commandments

Why doesn't John Proctor want Mary to go back to court?

1. If she goes back, he is further involved 2. He believes the accusations are false and the girls are frauds 3. He doesn't think the court is just

What was the "evidence" against Sarah Good?

1. She confessed to witchcraft 2. She mumbled after begging for cider and bread 3. She could not recite the commandments

What gift does Mary Warren give Elizabeth?

A doll

Explain the significance of the needle in the "poppet."

Abigail had accused Elizabeth of sticking a needle in her (Abby's) stomach through the use of a "poppet" (doll). Cheever asked to see the doll that was in Elizabeth's house (the one that Mary had given her). When he looked under the dress, there was a needle stuck in the abdomen of the doll. On the basis of this evidence, Cheever determined that witchcraft was possible and did, in fact, take Elizabeth to prison.

What does Mary Warren mean shen she says, "I saved her life today!"?

Abigail has accused Elizabeth of witchcraft, but Mary claims that she has never seen any indication of it. Because of her claim, the court dismisses the accusation.

Explain the significance of the needle in the "poppet"?

Abigail stuck the needle in the poppet making it look as though Elizabeth stuck it in it. On this basis of this evidence, Cheever determined witchcraft was possible and took Elizabeth to jail.

Why does Elizabeth think that Abigail wants to kill her?

Abigail wants to take her place.

Why does Mary warn John about testifying against Abigail?

Mary tells John that if he testifies against her, she will "charge lechery" and ruin him.

What information does John Proctor reveal to Reverend Hale?

Mr. Parris discovered them "sportin" in the woods. They were startled and look sick."

Abigail was stabbed with a needle; does Mary know her position in all of this? Why or why not?

No because Abigail is the type of person that wil cleverly find out things and turn them to her advantage.

How is Abigail a "saint" in the proceedings?

No one knows about the affair with her and John Proctor and she gives the people of Salem validation to blame people.

What things are "suspicious" about Proctor and his family?

Proctor does not go to church regularly. His youngest son has not been baptized. He does not have total faith in Parris, the minister. It takes both Parris and Elizabeth to remember all of the commandments. (He significantly forgot adultery.

What was the "evidence" against Sarah Good?

She confessed to witchcraft. The girls said she nearly choked them to death (and they acted so) in court. She mumbled when after begging for cider and bread, she had been turned away. She could not recite the commandments in court.

Why doesn't Mary want to testify about the doll?

She doesn't want to testify because she is afraid of Abigail. She knows Abigail will "get her" if she goes against her.

How does Mary Warren behave towards her employers?

She embraces her new "authority" and demands John's and Elizabeth's respect because she is an "official of the court."

Why has Mary Warren disobeyed her employers and gone to Salem?

She has been named an official of the court. This makes her feel more important than a servant.

Martha Corey was accused of what

She is accused of causing pigs to die by reading strange books

Why doesn't Mary want to testify about the doll?

She is afraid of Abigail. She knows Abigail will "get her."

What was the evidence against Sarah Good?

She is old, unmarried, and pregnant.

What does Mary think that Sarah Osbourne did to her?

She mumbles, doesn't know her commandments and supposedly choked everyone with her spirit.

Discuss the meaning of Elizabeth saying "Adultry, John."

While reciting the Ten Commandments, he forgets the one sin we know he is guilty of - adultery. Since this is always on her mind, Elizabeth reminds him of it.