The Crucible Act 2

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.

Why does Cheever come to the Proctor house?

Cheever comes to arrest Elizabeth.

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 John Proctor demand of Mary Warren?

He demands that she testify on behalf of Elizabeth Proctor to prove her innocence and admit that she and the other girls had been lying

What is John's response

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

"you charge a cold and cruel murder on Abigail"

If Mary contradicts Abigail, she is "charging cold murder" on Abigail because then she would not be condemning a witch, she would be trying to have Elizabeth and others hanged.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Where has Mary Warren been? What does she report? What does she give Elizabeth?

She has been at the court of the witch trials. She reports that Goody Osborn will hang because she refuses to confess to witchcraft. She gives goody proctor a poppet (doll) she sewed during the court.`

On what charge(s) was Rebecca Nurse arrested?

She was arrested for the "marvelous and supernatural murder of Goody Putnam's babies."

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.