The Crucible Act II Questions

Who accused Elizabeth of witchcraft?

Abigail Williams

What information does John Proctor have that Elizabeth wants him to share with the court? Why does he hesitate?

Abigail told John that the girl's sickness has nothing to do with witchcraft. He hesitates because he doesn't want to draw attention to his relationship with her, and he is afraid of what she might do to him.

Hale asks John and Elizabeth how they feel about the existence of witches. How does he react to their answers?

Both John and Elizabeth say they doubt the existence of witches. John says he does not think they are in Salem, but knows they are mentioned in the bible. Elizabeth says that if she is said to be a witch then they must not exist. Hale is shocked because this means they doubt the bible.

How much time has elapsed since Act 1?

Eight days have passed.

How is Abigail viewed on court?

Elizabeth says she has heard that people view Abigail as a saint in court. That she leads the girls in court, and if the girls fall to the floor in the presence of an accused person, that person is then jailed.

What does Elizabeth say is Abigail's reason for accusing Elizabeth? What does Elizabeth say is Abigail's goal?

Elizabeth says that Abigail wants her dead. She says that Abigail wants to take her place.

Who is Ezekiel Cheever and why does he come to the Proctor house?

Ezekiel Cheever is Clerk of Court. He has come to the Producer's house to search it and look for a poppet. He has a warrant for Elizabeth's arrest.

Why do Giles Corey and Francis Nurse come to the Proctor's house?

Giles Corey and Francis Nurse come to Proctor's house because both Rebeca Nurse and Martha have been accused of witchcraft and jailed.

Rev. Hale comments on the Proctor's attendance at church. What does he say? What is John's answer?

Hale states that he knows that he knows that the Proctors did not attend church very often- 17 times in 26 months. John Proctor says that he was absent because his wife was sick, he had to work on the farm, and he does not care much about Rev. Perris.

Why does Hale visit the Proctor's home?

Hale visits the Proctor house because Elisabeth's name was mentioned in court, and since he is new in town, he is in search of their Christion character.

What does John Proctor tell Mary he will not allow?

John Proctor tells Mary Warren they are going to courts to tell Abigail is lying. He states that he and Abigail will go down together. He says that he will not allow Elizabeth to die for him.

Hale then asks John to recite the 10 commandments. Which commandment does John forget? Why is this ironic?

John begins to recite the 10 commandments but he forgets the one about adultery. This is ironic because he committed adultery with Abigail.

With what crime has Martha Corey been charged?

Martha Cory has been accused by Walcott for bewitching a pig.

How did Mary Warren disobey John Proctor? Why does he get angry at Elizabeth about this?

Mary Warren disobeyed John Proctor by going to Salem, and he gets angry at Elizabeth for letting her go. He tells her that she is the boss and she is supposed to tell Mary Warren what to do.

How does Mary Warren react when Proctor forbids her to go back to court?

Mary Warren is very angry. She becomes definite and states that she is an official of the court , and John Proctor can not stop her. At this point she reveals that she saved Elizabeth's life in court today because Elizabeth's name was "somewhat mentioned."

What does Mary Warren tell John Proctor Abigail will do to him?

Mary Warren tells Proctor that Abigail will cry lechery on him. This shows Mary Warren knows about the Affair.

Why doesn't Mary want to go to court and tell what she knows?

Mary does not want to go to court to speak out against Abigail because she is afraid of her. She says Abigail will kill her and all the girls will come after her.

With what crime has Rebecca Nurse been charged?

Murder of the Putnam babies

Why has the court decided to hang Goody Osbourne but not Sarah Good?

Sarah Good confessed so she will only go to jail.

What is the evidence against Goody Osbourne that led to her conviction?

Sarah Good could not recite the 10 amendments.

What does Mary give to Elizabeth and why?

She gives her a "Poppet" or a doll. She made this for Elizabeth while she was in court all day. She tells Elizabeth we must all love each other.

When Mary Warren returns from court, why is she so upset?

She is upset because Sarah Good and Goody Proctor have been jailed. Goody Proctor will hang.

How does Elizabeth react to the news that John and Abigail were alone with one another? How does John react to her?

She is upset, and says that John was not honest with her. John gets angry, and says that she needs to stop Judging him.

Who watched as Mary sewed the poppet? What does this reveal?

Susannah and Abigail both watch Mary sew the Poppet This reveals that they would have seen May put the needle in the poppet.

What does the opening scene reveal about the relationship between Elizabeth and John Proctor?

The opening scene reveals that Elizabeth and John Proctor's relationship is tense and stressed. Elizabeth is still upset with John for his affair with Abigail. He is trying hard to show her he is sorry.

How does the poppet become an important piece of evidence?

The poppet becomes an important piece of evidence because there is a needle in the poppet just like there was a needle found in Abigail's belly.

What has happened since the end of Act 1?

We learn that in the Eight days of the accusations, a court has been established with 4 Judges coming from Boston and the Deputy Governor. 14 people have been jailed at this point.