The Crucible Act 2 Quiz

How does John Proctor treat Mary Warren?

In a rough manner, also set as if that by working for him she is his property

From the beginning of Act 2, what can you tell about the relationship between John and Elizabeth Proctor?

It is tense and uneasy. This is because Elizabeth still does not trust Proctor after his affair with Abigail. Proctor wants to forget about the affair, but Elizabeth refuses to.

How do we learn what is happening in the town?

Mary Warren

What proof has been offered of Martha Corey's witchcraft?

She cursed a townsperson and now he cannot keep a pig alive for more than 4 weeks. She also reads books other than the Bible.

With what crimes has Rebecca Nurse been charged? Why is this a kind of "final proof" that the town has gone mad?

She has been charged with the murder of Ann Putnam's seven unborn babies. This is final proof because Rebecca has been holy and has attended Church for 60 years. If she's a witch then everyone in Salem must be a witch.

How does Mary save herself from a whipping?

She tells John she saved Elizabeth's life in court by claiming Elizabeth showed no signs of conversing with the Devil when Abigail accused Elizabeth of witchcraft.

Why does Elizabeth want John to go see Abigail?

She wants him to to make it clear that the relationship between him and Abigail is over and to break the promise he made with her when he started sleeping with her.

What connection is there between the poppet given to Elizabeth by Mary Warren and her arrest? Do you think Mary knew what would happen and was part of it, or was she "conned" by Abigail?

There is a needle in the poppet's stomach and that night Abigail claimed Elizabeth's spirit stabbed her with a needle. I think Mary was "conned" because she wouldn't have admitted the poppet belonged to her otherwise. If she was under Abigail's orders she would have said that Elizabeth always had the poppet and that she didn't give it to her.

What do John and Elizabeth both know about the court proceedings? What does John say keeps him from telling the court what he knows? What do you think might be the real reason?

They both know that Abigail and the other towns people are falsely accusing people of witchcraft out of vengeance in court. They also know Abigail has accused Elizabeth Proctor of witchcraft. They know the girls are lying about the witchcraft too. John says he will not tell the court because when Abigail told him about her and the girls lying about the witchcraft he was alone with her so he has no witnesses. The real reason might be that John still has feelings for Abigail and that he doesn't want to admit his affair with her to the court.

When Reverend Hale visits, what things seem to go against John and Elizabeth?

They don't regularly attend church, one of their sons isn't baptized

What demand does Proctor make of Mary Warren?

He demands she testify in court that the poppet belonged to her.

Do you think Mary Warren believes that she and the other girls are bewitched? Explain.

No. This is because she admits that the poppet is hers and therefore says that Abigail's story of being stabbed by Elizabeth's spirit is a lie and untrue. She knows what she's doing is wrong and wouldn't have this opinion if she believed she was actually bewitched. If she was bewitched, she'd think what she was doing was right.

What important information does John tell Reverend Hale?

That Abigail was caught doing witchcraft in the woods and is covering up her crime by accusing others of witchcraft