The Crucible Act II
Why is John reluctant to go down to Abigail's house to call her a w h o r e?
John is reluctant to do so because he had never made Abigail any promises; the affair was not out of love.
Of what does John accuse Elizabeth?
John says Elizabeth lacks charity. it has been 7 months since he had been with Abigail and, apparently, he admitted to her, yet his wife still can't put it behind them.
Why won't Mary Warren testify that she gave the doll to Elizabeth?
She is afraid of what Abigail will do to her.
As he is about to "whip" Mary Warren, John stops short. What was it she told him?
She saved Elizabeth's life by saying that she has never seen any evidence of witchcraft
What does Mary Warren reveal about Elizabeth?
That she was accused of witchcraft
What does Elizabeth want her husband to say in court?
That the trials are a charade
What will Abby do if proctor goes into court to denounce her, according to Mary Warren?
Abby will charge him with lechery (adultery), which is a capital offense.
Why can't John prove what Abigail told him? Why does Elizabeth pick up on this?
Abigail and John were alone when she told him. The fact that they had been alone is disturbing because John had said Abigail was in a crowd. Elizabeth immediately becomes suspicious again.
Who stuck the pin in Abigail's belly and why?
Abigail stuck the pin in herself to point suspicion to Elizabeth. Abby apparently got the idea after she watched Mary Warren make the poppet and stick the pin into it.
Who does Elizabeth think called out her name and why?
Elizabeth believes that Abigail denounced her in order to have John as a husband.
What does Elizabeth want John to do to Abigail?
Elizabeth wants John to go to Abigail and call her a w h o r e. Elizabeth hopes Abigail will see the futility of trying to get him.
What does Elizabeth want John to do?
Elizabeth wants John to go to the officials and tell them what Abigail had said about the witchcraft having been made up.
To what does Hale attribute the calamity that has befallen Salem?
Hale attributes the calamity that has befallen Salem to that it must be God's punishment for some terrible sin that was committed and kept secret
Reverend Hale says,"This is a strange time." How might that comment have applied equally to the McCarthy Hearings?
Hale believed that "the powers of the dark are gathered in a monstrous attack upon this village." in 1952, many Americans felt that way about the communist threat.
What does this "calamity" mean to Proctor?
He knows his hidden secret sin is one of adultery. God must punish the village for Proctor's sin. Ironically adultery was the one commandment he couldn't remember wine reciting them for reverend Hale.
How would you describe the relationship between John and Elizabeth Proctor at the beginning of this scene?
John tries to please Elizabeth but Elizabeth remains separated from him. she appears somewhat aloof or withdrawn. This distance is obviously due to John's infidelity.
In what way has Mary Warren changed and what changed her?
Mary Warren used to be meek and quiet but she no longer is. She thinks she is important because she is an official of the court
Why is Mary afraid to say anything in court?
Mary is afraid to say anything in court because she is afraid of what Abigail will do to her.
What is Proctor's response to the idea that Abby will charge him with adultery?
Proctor says "Good." because it'll end Abigail's saintliness and put an end to the madness. Although it will mean death for him, it will free Elizabeth and the guilt he has been feeling.
As proof of witchcraft, Rev. Hale points out that a number of people have already confessed to being witches. What is Proctor's response?
Proctor says that people will say anything when pressured
Why has Reverend Hale come to the Proctor house?
Reverend Hale is a stranger in town and is trying to get a better understanding of the citizens, particularly those under suspicion. it is an official visit as such
What evidence is used to bring Elizabeth to trial?
The doll that Mary Warren has given her
What will happen to the accused witches if they do not confess?
They will be hanged.