Crucible Act 2
What does Elizabeth want John to do? Why does he hesitate?
Elizabeth wants John to tell Reverend Hale that the childrens' sickness has nothing to with witchcraft and the girls were just dancing the woods for fun. John hesitates because Abigail told him this when they were alone together and they had an affair.
What forces John Proctor's involvement with the court? What are the risks?
Elizabeth's arrests forces John's involvement with the court. The risk is that John's trying to save Elizabeth could lead to his affair with Abby being exposed.
What is the significance of Reverend Hale's questioning Proctor?
Reverend Hale questions Proctor to see if there is witchcraft in the Proctor household since Elizabeth's name was mentioned in court that day. Hale does this by proving that Proctor is not a devout Christian because he does not know all of the ten commandments.
What is Mary Warren's attitude since going to Salem?
Since going to Salem, Mary Warren has an attitude of defiance and refusal to obey the Proctors, her masters. They tell her not to go back to the witch trials but they are so important to her that she says she will go anyway.
What is the present state of the Prctor's marital relationship?
The Proctor's current marital relationship is one of conflict and distrust, especially of Elizabeth's distrust of John.
What kind of evidence does the court admit in order to convict people as witches?
The court does not have any substantial evidence to commit people. Ultimately Elizabeth is taken from her home just because she starts to get agitated because people have come into her home and made crazy accusations about her.
Contrast settings at the conclusions of Act I and II.
The setting at the end of Act One is one of honesty and freedom compared to the setting at the end of Act Two that shows deception and even more secrecy between characters. At the end of Act One Betty and Abby confess who they saw with the devil and are declared "free" of the devil by Hale. But at the end of Act Two, it is revealed that if John tries to prove that Elizabeth didn't try to kill Mary, Mary may expose the affair.
contempt
a feeling that someone or something is not worthy of respect
covenanted
agreed upon in a formal and binding manner
calamity
an event that causes great harm and suffering
indictment
an official written statement charging a person with a crime
wily
clever in a deceptive way
How is Ezekiel Cheever significant?
he acts as clerk of the court during the witch trials, determined to do justice
How is Herrick significant?
he is the town marshal (officer of the highest rank in the armed forces)
How is Francis significant?
his wife is arrested
How is Giles significant?
his wife is arrested
lechery
improper indulgence in sexual activity
tainted
made dangerous or dirty by adding something harmful or undesirable
jabberer
one who talks in a fast, unclear, or foolish way
base
the bottom or lowest part of something that supports other parts
falter
to feel doubt about something