The Crucible - Act Two

Mary Warren tells Proctor that those accused will not hang if they do something - what is it that they must do?

They must confess that they've been overtaken by the devil.

Who do you think accused Elizabeth and why?

Abigail accused Elizabeth because she wants to get rid of her so that she can be with John.

Explain Elizabeth's statement: "John, if it were not Abigail that you must go to hurt, would you falter now? I think not?" and explain John's response.

Elizabeth believes that John is trying to protect Abigail by not going to Salem. John becomes angered and tries to explain that he has forgotten Abigail. He is frustrated that Elizabeth will not forgive him and move on from the situation.

What does Elizabeth encourage John to do on page 56?

Elizabeth encourages John to go to the court and tell them that Abigail said nothing was witchcraft.

Which of the Ten Commandments does Proctor forget?

He forgets adultery.

What event begins to change Hale's opinion about the arrests? How does he feel about the court?

He is shocked that Mrs. Nurse, the most Christian woman in Salem, has been accused of witchcraft. He believes that the court will be just and send her home eventually.

Explain why Mary Warren thinks Elizabeth should speak civilly to her?

Mary Warren believes that Elizabeth should speak civilly to her because she just saved Elizabeth's life during court. Elizabeth's name was mentioned during the trial, but Mary Warren, being an "official," spoke highly of Elizabeth and got her off the hook.

Why do you think Miller would include such a conversation?

Miller included this conversation to show the reader how damaged John and Elizabeth's relationship is. It also somewhat foreshadows that Abigail will accuse Elizabeth of witchcraft in order to take her place in John's family.

How are these two ideas connected: 1) Walcott buying a pig. 2) Martha Corey being accused of witchcraft.

Walcott bought a pig for Corey that died soon after. Ever since, he cannot keep a pig alive for very long. He believes Martha has cursed him.

How many women have been arrested at this point?

thirty nine women

What is the point of the discussion between Hale and the Proctors about whether or not they believe in witches?

Hale believes in witches and claims to catch them. Mr. Proctor says he will not deny them because the Bible mentions them. Mrs. Proctor does not believe in witches because she doesn't think the devil can own the soul of a good woman. Hale seems to be testing what they believe and their religion in order to try to understand them better.

What information does Mary Warren provide about the trial? What role is she playing at the trial? Why does John forbid her from attending?

Mary Warren informs them that thirty nine women have been arrested, Goody Osburn will hang, and Sarah Good confessed to witchcraft. She says that she is an official of the court now. John does not want her going back to court because Elizabeth's name was mentioned during the trial.

What does Proctor tell Hale about why the children were ill? How does he claim to know?

Proctor tells Hale that Rev. Parris discovered the children dancing in the woods. When the children realize they'd been seen, they were startled, took sick, and no witchcraft was involved. He tells Hale that Abigail told him this the day he went to visit.

What does Proctor want Mary Warren to do after Elizabeth is arrested? What is her response to this?

Proctor wants Mary Warren to go to the court with him and tell how the poppet come to their house, and that Abigail stuck the needle in. She does not want to charge murder on Abigail because she knows Abigail will charge witchcraft on Mary Warren and lechery on Proctor.

What is the gift Mary Warren gives to Elizabeth?

Mary Warren gives Elizabeth a poppet doll that she has made during court.

What do we learn about Mary Warren's motives at the end of the act? Why did she give the poppet to Elizabeth?

Mary Warren is scared if she accuses Abigail, she'll be accused of witchcraft and hanged. She is later motivated by God to tell the truth, but she cannot go through with this. She turns against John and calls him the Devil's man. Her motivation of self-preservation is greater than her motivation to tell the truth. She gives the poppet to Elizabeth to make peace.

Explain the allusion that Proctor makes to Pontius Pilate.

Proctor is saying that Hale has the power to save Elizabeth from being arrested, but that he is cowering behind the "the courts are just, and if she is innocent she'll be released" argument, instead of acting in his own power and right to save her as he should. That is very similar to Pontius washing his hands of the matter of saving Christ, pretending to be innocent in the face of a person being unjustly condemned.

Why does Rev. Hale come to the Proctor's home? What does this scene reveal about Hale's role in the trial?

Rev. Hale is visiting everyone who has been mentioned in court. He wants to hear everyone's side of the story to draw a clear opinion. His opinion obviously matters in the court since he is a witchcraft expert and a religious leader. He wants to have a clear understanding of everyone before stating his opinion in court.

What is the significance of the scene between Elizabeth and John Proctor? What does it reveal about their relationship and about their characters?

The scene reveals Elizabeth's distrust for John. Ever since John had the affair with Abigail, Elizabeth will not forgive him. Elizabeth figures that John will not go to Salem because he doesn't want to turn Abby in to the police. She suspects there is still a relationship between the two. John is tired of Elizabeth consistently accusing him. He wishes she'd forgive him and move on.