The Crucible Act 2 Review

For what crime is Rebecca Nurse indicted?

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

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 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 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 it was a good Christian household. To see if either of them had any suspicious activities which would relate to witchcraft.

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.

Beggar in Salem. She is the first individual accused of witchcraft. Why? She is an easy target- she is poor, not respected in the community.

Sarah Good

For what crime is Martha Corey indicted?

She bewitched Walcott's pigs

What was the "evidence" against Sarah Good?

She confessed to witchcraft.

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.

Mary Warren's role in the Proctor household

She is a servant

Why did Mary Warren's behavior change?

She is an "official" of the court now. She is no longer a mouse. She is confident and defiant. She tells Proctor she will no longer be whipped. She is 18 and a woman. She also thinks of herself too important to be whipped since she has so much say in the court.

What is wrong with Betty?

She won't wake up.

Friend to Abigail. She works for the doctor and brought news that he didn't have a cure for Betty.

Susanna Walcott

What is the mood between John and Elizabeth at the beginning of Act II?

Tense because John betrayed Elizabeth but they are still being nice towards each other.

Who is Ruth? What is wrong with her?

The Putnam's daughter. She won't wake up.

What information does Elizabeth urge John to declare to the court?

Abagail and the girls were just "sporting" in the forest and no one is guilty.

Parris' niece. She instigates the witch trials by falsely accusing others of witchcraft. She pretends to see spirits and instructs the other girls to pretend as well. Motivation: To divert attention away from herself and to stay out of trouble; kill Elizabeth Proctor so she can have John Proctor to herself.

Abigail Williams

How does Abigail feel about John's wife, Elizabeth?

Abigail is jealous of Elizabeth and thus despises her.

Parris' daughter. Her father discovers her dancing in the woods, and she later accuses individuals of practicing witchcraft. Motivation: Trying to stay out of trouble.

Betty Parris

Why does Cheever come to the Proctor house?

Cheever comes to arrest Elizabeth.

Wife of John Proctor. She is a decent and honest woman. Motivation: Protect John's name and reputation.

Elizabeth Proctor

Farmer and landowner in Salem. He is a respected member of the community often called upon to settle disagreements between individuals.

Francis Nurse

Elderly inhabitant of Salem. He challenges the court. He asked Rev. Hale about his wife reading books, but not letting him see what she was reading. Also said his prayers were hindered while she was reading.

Giles Corey

How does John Proctor feel about his relationship with Abigail?

He does not want to continue his relationship because he cannot forgive himself.

What is John Proctor's relationship to Abigail?

He had an affair with Abigail when she was a former servant at his house.

What is John's response to Elizabeth's prodding in going to Salem?

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

What is unusual about Giles Corey?

He never attended church before he married his wife. He reports that his wife reads books that he does not know about. Also, he files lawsuits regularly.

Why is Thomas Putnam such a bitter man?

He wants more land and therefore, more power.

Salem farmer and former lover of Abigail's. He openly denounces Parris and does not attend church as often as he should. Motivation: Justice. He wants to reveal the truth about Parris, Abigail, and the trials.

John Proctor

What is the relationship between Abigail and John Proctor?

John cheated on Elizabeth, his wife, with Abigail once. Abigail is now obsessed with John and wants to be his wife, but John feels guilty after commiting adultury.

Servant to the Proctors. She goes along with Abigail and the girls by falsely accusing others of witchcraft. Motivation: Fear. She wants to reveal the truth but breaks under pressure from Abigail and the other girls.

Mary Warren

What gift did Mary give Elizabeth?

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

What is John's relationship to Mary Warren?

Mary is his servant.

Servant to the Putnams and friend to Abigail. She participates in the witch trials by pretending to see spirits and falsely accusing individuals of witchcraft..

Mercy Lewis

Wife of Thomas Putnam/Ruth's mother. She believes that a witch is responsible for the deaths of her seven infant children. Motivation: Jealousy

Mrs. Ann Putnam

Who is Tituba?

Parris' slave from Barbados

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).

Wife of Francis Nurse. She is one of the most respected individuals in Salem because of her kindness and charity. She argues against the witch trial investigations.

Rebecca Nurse

Minister in Beverly. The people of Salem summon him to investigate Betty's condition and determine if witchcraft is responsible.

Reverend Hale

Minister in Salem who at first doesn't want to acknowledge witchcraft, then joins in the accusations, then attempts to delay or stop the executions. Betty's father.

Reverend Parris

The Putnams' daughter. She accuses individuals of practicing witchcraft. A witness claims to have heard Putnam say Ruth's accusations helped him obtain land.

Ruth Putnam

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 (cheater).

How and by whom are the other villagers accused of witchcraft? What is the motivation for the girls' accusations?

The girls shout names as accusations. The girls do not want themselves to get in trouble, so they blame others.

What will happen to those who don't confess to witchcraft?

They will hang.

A wealthy landowner in Salem. He systematically accuses his neighbors of witchcraft. Married to Ann, father of Ruth. Motivation: Greed

Thomas Putnam

Parris' slave from Barbados. Parris discovers her casting spells and making potions with the girls in the woods. When she is accused, she turns around and accuses others.

Tituba

Why does Parris call Reverend Hale?

To see if Hale' experience with witch trials would show that there is no witchcraft.

What does Proctor say is walking Salem?

Vengeance is walking Salem.

Who are Ann and Thomas Putnam? What is their motivation for suggesting witchcraft?

Wealthy and suspicious of everyone; Ann lost 8 babies