ACT II
How would you characterize Reverend Hale? What does he seem concerned with? Provide evidence to support your answer.
He believes in witchcraft and really trusts the system to do the right thing. "Let you rest upon the justice of the court, the court will send you home."
Describe Reverend Hale at the end of Act 2. He has come to Salem to "weed out" the evil in the town. What is his reaction to the evening's events?
He came because he really believes in witchcraft, he thinks it's in Salem. He is getting concerned because people he thinks are innocent are being named. He was arrogant, he thinks it's scary that people are being named that he didn't know about. Starting to get concerned-But still believes in the cause.
Why doesn't Proctor want Mary to go back to court?
He thinks it's all a fraud and doesn't want anyone involved in his house.
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 lie does Elizabeth notice Proctor told? How does this feed her current suspicions?
Proctor mentions that he was alone with Abigail at Parris's house. Previously he told Elizabeth that he and Abigail were in a group of people. In her mind, this confirms her suspicions that Proctor still has feelings for Abigail. Any lie is a big lie.
On what charges was Rebecca Nurse arrested?
Rebecca Nurse was charged with killing Ann Putnam's babies. Putnam, who lost 7 of her babies, joins in the Salem witch-hunt hysteria and accuses Nurse.Putnam admitted to participating in Witchcraft. Putnam gives Goody Osburn name for witchcraft. Rebecca Nurse's name was given because she was upset with her about the original witchcraft. (tituba going to woods)
Why is Mary Warren afraid of telling the truth about Abigail, for herself and for John?
She thinks that Abigail will accuse her of witchery and then she will end up in jail awaiting a trial. Mary Warren is afraid Abigail will kill her, Mary Warren says that Abigail is going to choose John to be a lecher. (Lecher=Combination of calling someone of sexual predator) Married attacking an unmarried. Like calling someone a witch.
What will happen to Proctor if he tries to discredit Abby?
She will tell them they had an affair, she will discredit his name by calling him a lecher.
Explain the ironic ultimatum the head of court has given to those who have been arrested. Why is it and why is it ironic?
The accused must confess or die. If they claim to be innocent, they die. If they claim to be guilty, they live. Thus, ironically, they are punished for telling the truth yet rewarded for lying.... but keep in mind that lying (according to the bible) is a mortal sin and will condemn them to Hell. The irony is that none of the accused Salem witches who confessed were convicted or executed but all 19 people who refused to confess were found guilty and executed. Hale trusted the system, he believes the people are innocent, but believes in the system because he won't let you be innocent. So that's a conflict.
What does Cheerver come to the Proctor house?
Cheever comes to arrest Elizabeth.
At the end of Act 2, John Proctor is shocked that Abigail told Mary Warren about the affair between Proctor and Abigail. What does he decide to do?
Come clean and confess and why Abigail is doing what she is doing. He is faced with the fact that Mary told all the people, he is going to come clean and tell the total truth.
Why does Elizabeth think Abigail wants to kill her?
Elizabeth knows of John's affair with Abby. She believes that Abigail wants to take her place as John's wife
Explain this metaphor: "The magistrate sits in your heart that judges you"
Elizabeth says own Guilt, after you die you will go through final judgement with god.
What news does Mary Warren bring from the court which concerns Elizabeth?
Elizabeth's name was brought up in court.
Explain the significance of the needle in the "poppet."
Evidence that Abigail was under attack at dinner (Abigail stabbing herself with a needle and saying she was stabbed); its proof that Elizabeth is practicing witchcraft to get back at Abigail.
Why did Hale come to Proctor's house?
Hale visits the Proctors because he wants to speak with everyone whose name has been mentioned in connection with witchcraft. Get information! He is not coming on business to the court, she just wants to have a talk with proctor because he doesn't think he was involved. Hale said just go to church and get your kid Baptised. Hale was going to leave and Rebecca was arrested. Hale believes the truth will come out. Hale believes in witchcraft.
What is John's response to Elizabeth prodding (pestering)?
He is resistant to do what she says but then she starts getting angry at her.
John Proctor seems to be the only voice of reason in the confusing end of Act II. What are some examples to support this idea?
He is the one explaining that everyone accusing someone has a motive. Everybody who's doing this wants revenge (different idea/not the same reason). This goes against everything we know about the people (Everyone knows Rebecca Nurse is a good person)
What does Proctor's hesitation to travel to Salem indicate about this inner conflict?
He most likely still has feelings for Abigail. Proctor wants to get rid of all the witchcraft hysteria, but he doesn't want to attack Abigail in order to do so.
What does Reverend Hale have John do to help prove he is a godly man? How does he mess it up? What is ironic about what he forgets?
List the 10 commandments, forgets one (adultery)-the one he broke
How many people have been arrested so far?
Mary tells the Proctors that there are now 39 people arrested.
What is your opinion of Mary Warren? Consider what her priorities seem to be and what this might indicate about the people of the town in general.
May Warren was just a Maid, now she's an officer of the court, now she is using this to elevate her status. She is very quick to be high with power. The Putnams have wanted to rule this town since the beginning. Now they've got all the power, because they have to name someone and they die. Reversal of Power=People who didn't have power like the Putnams have it.
Discuss the conflict between Proctor and Reverend Parris. Provide one line from the text that reveals this conflict.
Proctor believes Parris is greedy, disregards God, and abuses his authority. Paris thinks Proctor is in the faction against him.
What things are "suspicious" about Proctor and his family?
Proctor does not go to church regularly. The youngest son has not been baptized. He could not remember all of the commandments. Proctor doesn't get along with his minister.
Where does Elizabeth want John to go and what does she want him to do there?
Salem so he can tell the court that he knows Abigail is lying. Lying about calling people witches, that Betty was faking sick. Better to be sick, then to do something bad.
What did Sarah Good do? What other news is revealed about Goody Good.
Sarah Good confessed, said that Sarah Good sent her spirit out and choked her, Sarah Good couldn't say her commandments, Elizabeth is somewhat mentioned, but she stood up for her.Goody Good is almost 60 and pregnant.
Describe the power Abigail has in the courtroom.
She can bend to her will those who are in a position to make life or death decisions, especially Judge Danforth. In the court, she pretends to be freezing; she pretends to see a yellow bird; she claims that Mary is using "a black art to change [her] shape".She's the leader, no one questions anything she does.
What was the "evidence" against Sarah Good?
She confessed to witchcraft. She mumbled after begging for cider and bread. She could not recite the commandments in court. She was choking them (pressure of spirit) (the people in the courthouse were stressed-frustrated) in the courthouse.
For what acts has Martha Corey been arrested and charged?
She cursed Walcott for cursing his ability to raise pigs. If you don't know how to feed the pig it's going to die.
Why doesn't Mary want to testify about the doll?
She doesn't want to get involved. She is afraid of Abigail.
What does Elizabeth mean when she says, "The noose is up?"
The town is getting ready for a hanging.
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"
The town's opinion of Abigail is so high that anyone who agrees with her is considered morally correct, but anyone who speaks against her is considered evil. Proctor is saying it will be difficult to prove to everyone that Abigail is wrong, and the entire town has been fooled, while he alone knows the truth. Proctor says it's gone to far
What should the reader think about the relationship between John Proctor and his wife Elizabeth based on the discussion about dinner and the interaction with Mary Warren?
There was tension in their relationship. John has disrespect for Elizabeth. Distant, stressed, awkward, there is a level of disrespect there. How can you let a mouse intimidate you?
What gift did Mary give Elizabeth?
a (Poppet) doll with a needle in it
What present does Mary Warren give to Elizabeth?
a poppet (small doll) that she made while in court.
