The Crucible Act II

Explain Francis' metaphor: "My wife is the very brick and mortar of the church."

By exclaiming that his wife is the brick and mortar of the church, Francis is explaining that Rebecca is a sole member of the church. Without Rebecca, the church could not function. He is trying to reassure everyone that she is not a murderer.

Whom does Elizabeth call, "A mouse no more"? What does she mean by this metaphor?

Elizabeth calls Mary Warren a mouse no more. She means that Mary Warren is no longer and timid and shy like a mouse is. Instead, Mary has stood up for herself and disobeyed Elizabeth.

Explain Hale's quote: "Man, remember until an hour before the Devil fell, God thought him beautiful in Heaven."

God thinks of everyone has beautiful until they commit a sin. Just as God thought that the Devil was beautiful until he fell from Heaven, God thinks that all of the accused are beautiful until they do something to them as well. Hale is pretty much reiterating that anyone is capable of evil, even someone has frail as Rebecca Nurse.

What does Hale's motivation for visiting the Proctors tell the audience about his personality?

Hale comes without the court's authority to visit the Proctors. This tells the audience that he is willing to go out of his way to learn more about the people of Salem and in order to form his own conclusions about the witchcraft hysteria.

How have Hale's opinions of the accused changed by the end of Act II?

Hale has agreed with Proctor in that this hysteria surrounding the witchcraft is false. He has become aware that the accusers are lying and that their accusations are nothing but revenge on those accused. Hale originally believed that witchcraft was present in Salem and that it needed to be stopped. In light of recent events, Hale has realized that none of this is real.

If Mary contradicts Abigail, how is she "charging cold murder on Abigail"?

If Mary contradicts Abigail, she is charging cold murder on Abigail by showing that Abigail is lying. No one will believe Abigail if someone is contradicting what she says. Mary will also be helping Elizabeth by proving that she is not a witch.

Explain Proctor's quote: "Vengeance is walking Salem."

In this quote, Proctor is claiming that the only these accusations are occurring simply because the girls have personal grudges against the rest of society. Abigail, for example, has a personal grudge against Elizabeth and wants her gone, so she has accused Elizabeth of witchcraft in order to get rid of her. If it wasn't for the goal of vengeance, this hysteria would not be happening.

Who are the two dynamic characters in this scene and show their changes.

Mary Warren and Reverend Hale are the two dynamic characters in this scene. Mary Warren is no longer timid and shy like a mouse. She stands up for herself and stands up to Elizabeth Proctor. Reverend Hale has also changed his viewpoint on the witchcraft hysteria and the truth in it. He no longer believes that what the girls say is true, so therefore the witchcraft cannot be true either.

In what ways is Miller's use of dialogue effective in the first two pages of this scene to show the rift between the couple?

Miller's use of dialogue in the first two pages of this scene is very effective in showing the rift between the couple. Everything Elizabeth and John say to each other is very cold and the reader can easily tell that something has occurred that has thrown off their relationship. John also makes the statement that Elizabeth should get some flowers for the house since it seems like winter, indicating that the environment is very cold and unwelcoming.

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."

Proctor is speaking about Abigail in this statement. The town thinks that she is a saint for accusing all of these women of being witches, and if Proctor were to go to the court and accuse Abigail of lying, he would be the one at fault. The town has gone crazy with the witchcraft hysteria and they have already hanged people, so they would not appreciate someone coming in and telling them that all of their reasoning is false.

What does Proctor's hesitation to travel to Salem indicate about his inner conflict?

Proctor's hesitation to travel to Salem indicates that 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.

How are the golden candlesticks symbolic of Parris's personality?

The golden candlesticks are symbolic of Parris's personality because Parris is very materialistic. Although he is the minister, he cares much more about his material things that the spiritual things that he should be fond of. By preaching about and wanting golden candlesticks for the altar, Parris is reaffirming the idea that his personality is not in the place that it should be.

Explain the ironic ultimatum the head of the court has given to those who have been arrested.

The ironic ultimatum that the head of the court has given to those who have been arrested is to confess or die. Basically, the accused can either die for the telling the truth in that they are not witches, or they confess and be free for lying about being a witch.

How is the poppet a symbol of Abigail's control of the society?

The poppet is a symbol of Abigail's control of the society because the poppet is like a voodoo doll. Supposedly, one can control another through the use of these dolls. By planting the poppet in Elizabeth Proctor's house, Abigail is making her accusations about Elizabeth being a witch have more truth. Claiming that she has been stabbed and then finding a needle in the poppet seemingly proves that Elizabeth is a witch. Abigail can control who is accused and what happens to them through her lies, like how she lied with the poppet.

Explain the metaphor: "The magistrate sits in your heart that judges you."

This metaphor is used to explain how God sits in your heart and judges you. John does not have to sit in front of the court, but he is still judged by God for what he has done; he is pretty much judged by his conscience only.