Crucible Act 2

In what ways does Hale question John Proctor's religious strength?

Hale asks Proctor to say his 10 commandments, questions his church attendance record and why his youngest son is not baptized. Proctor defends his attendance and baptism record by revealing how he feels about Parris - that he is more concerned with golden candlesticks than preaching the word of God. Hales tells Proctor that it is not up to him to question Parris as he is an ordained man of God.

How have Hale's opinions of the accused changed by the end of Act II.

Hale is finally understanding what Proctor meant when he said that vengeance is walking Salem. Hale feels powerless now that Elizabeth, Martha, and Rebecca have been chained and carted away.

What does Hale's motivation for visiting the Proctors tell the audience about his personality?

Hale is very serious about identifying any cracks in their faith as any weakness welcomes the devil; however, he at the same time, he is kind. He visits the Proctors at night, questions them about their faith, already knowing about their attendance at church. Hale does not lose patience or scold the Proctors for their faults, but seems to actually like and have faith in the Proctors. At the same, he has faith in the church and the court. He believes that the court will do right by any of the accused.

Explain Hale's quote: "Man, remember until an hour before the Devil fell, God thought him beautiful in Heaven."

Hale says this in response to news of Rebecca Nurses's arrest. He reminds everyone that Lucifer was one of God's favorite angels before he revealed himself as evil and was cast out of heaven to hell. Hale reminds everyone that evil can infect that which is good.

How are the golden candlesticks symbolic of Parris's personality?

He thinks he is too good for Salem

Explain the metaphor: "The magistrate sits in your heart that judges you."

In response to John's insistence that Elizabeth judges him instead of forgiving him, Elizabeth tells John that she does not judge him, but he judges himself. This reveals John Proctor's internal conflict that he has not lived up to his own ideals of moral decency.

What does Proctor's hesitation to travel to Salem indicate about his inner conflict?

John is hard on himself about the affair with Abigail. He knows he has hurt Elizabeth and wants his marriage to return to normal. However, he also knows that when he visited Salem, he and Abby were alone in a room together. This will not bode well with Elizabeth whose suspicions will most likely be heightened.

List and discuss the validity of the evidence by which Martha Corey and Rebecca Nurse are jailed.

Martha Corey - arrested for killing Mr. Walcott's pigs by bewitching them with her books. Walcott has obviously heard about the strange happenings of Martha reading books causing Giles' prayers to be interrupted. Now Martha is arrested for criticizing Mr. Walcott's feeding of his pigs after which the pigs die. Rebecca Nurse - arrested "for the marvelous and supernatural murder of Goody Putnam's babies." Rebecca has had 12 children and 26 grandchildren and portrayed herself as an expert in childrearing in Act 1. She had warned Ann Putnam and others that the girls were just playing at their 'silly season' and they would come back when they tired of pretending

What present does Mary Warren give to Elizabeth? What does her making it and giving it to Elizabeth foreshadow?

Mary Warren comes home from court and gives Elizabeth a poppet - a rag doll. Mary reveals that she made the poppet in court and Abby saw her making it. This becomes significant later in Act 2 when Elizabeth is accused of witchcraft. The poppet becomes the evidence that Elizabeth sent her spirit to kill Abby.

How does Mary Warren save herself from a whipping? Who does Elizabeth believe accused her of witchcraft and why?

Mary saves herself from a whipping by pointing at Elizabeth and saying she saved her life today. John and Elizabeth are shocked that she has been named. Elizabeth believes it must be Abby who has named her because Abby still loves John Proctor, thinks he must love her as well because of their affair, and means to take Elizabeth's place as Mrs. Proctor.

Explain Proctor's quote: "Vengeance is walking Salem."

People are being named by their vengeful neighbors who are settling the score. Abby hates Elizabeth so she has charged her with witchcraft to get her out of the way. Ann Putnam dislikes Rebecca Nurse so she has charged her with witchcraft in the killing of her dead babies. Walcott dislikes Marthy Corey for insulting him so he has charged her with killing his pigs through witchcraft.

Explain the ironic ultimatum the head of the court has given to those who have been arrested.

People who confess to witchcraft are safe from hanging. Those who refuse to confess are hanged. It's ironic because the ones who confess to being guilty do not suffer the punishment - death - as those who insist on their innocence.

How is Hale a "broken minister"?

Proctor calls Hale a broken minister because he has lost all moral authority at this point. Even after the evidence of the poppet, Hale should clearly see what Abigail is up to.

Explain how Hale tests Proctor's belief in God, as well as the irony in how Proctor fails Hale's test.

Proctor cannot remember the commandment, "Thou shalt not commit adultery" and of course, that is the one that Proctor broke.

Explain the demand Proctor makes of Mary Warren and her significant response to his threat.

Proctor demands Mary Warren tell the court how the poppet was used to implicate Elizabeth. He wants her to tell of Abigail's plot; however, Mary knows that that requires her calling Abigail a liar which then implicates Abigail in the witch hunt.

Explain Proctor's quote: "If the girl's a saint now, I think it is not easy to prove she is a fraud, and the town gone so silly."

Proctor is talking about Abigail who has become the local expert on identifying witches. She has been made the test for whether or not someone is a witch. Proctor sees the town has put faith in Abigail so it will now be hard to convince the town that Abby told him it was not witchcraft, but just sport.

Who is the head of the General Court? What significance does this have in the power given to the court?

The King's Deputy Governor is the head of the General Court. This reveals how seriously they are taking the accusation of witchcraft in Salem. It shows the trials are being managed by the top officials and will continue until all witches are found.

In what ways is Miller's use of dialogue effective in the first two pages of this scene to show the rift between the couple?

The conversation between John and Elizabeth Proctor is very tense. John Proctor is trying very hard to please Elizabeth and her responses are very short and curt. A reader can feel how cold the room is as they make awkward conversation.

What does the reader learn about the Proctors' marriage through the discrepancy between what John Proctor does before he sees his wife and when he talks to her?

When Proctor first gets home, he seasons the stew on the fire because he felt it needed more seasoning. While eating, he compliments Elizabeth for how well seasoned it is because he is trying to make amends with Elizabeth. Their marriage is still rocky following John's affair with Abby.

When Proctor kisses his wife, what does her reaction show about her feelings?

When Proctor kisses Elizabeth, she receives it. She does not return it. This reveals that she does not share the same feelings for John at this point in their marriage.

Explain Francis' metaphor: "My wife is the very brick and mortar of the church."

When Rebecca is charged, Francis asks for Hale's help, yet Hale says he has faith in the court and the integrity of the witch hunt. Francis tells him Rebecca is the very brick and mortar of the church because there could be no better Christian in his mind. She is the very church.

If Mary contradicts Abigail, how is she "charging cold murder on Abigail"?

Abigail has been the test and people have already been sentenced to hang. Abigail is responsible for the fate of many in Salem.

How is the poppet a symbol of Abigail's control of the society?

Abigail has control over Salem. From the moment she saw the light and began to name names, the court officials have depended on her to help with their witch hunt.

Explain how Abigail might have "set-up" Elizabeth Proctor. List the events chronologically.

Abigail wants to take Elizabeth's place. She still wants John and saw this opportunity to get rid of Elizabeth.

What evidence does Cheever have against Elizabeth?

Abigail was found screaming in pain with a needle stabbed 2 inches into her body. Cheever finds the poppet with a needle stuck in it and calls it proof that Elizabeth sent her spirit to stab Abigail.

Whom does Elizabeth call, "A mouse no more"?

Elizabeth calls Mary Warren a mouse no more because Mary has been an active participant of the court proceedings.

What lie does Elizabeth notice Proctor told? How does this feed her current suspicions?

Elizabeth notices that John had originally told her he saw Abby in a crowd when in fact they were alone in a room - which he now admits to. This feeds Elizabeth's suspicions about the affair further.