The Crucible Act II Study Guide Questions

Why has Martha Corey been accused?

Their neighbor, Walcott, bought a pig from Martha four or five years ago, and died soon after. When he went to get his money back, Martha told him that the pig wouldn't survive if he didn't feed it properly. Now, he went to the court and claimed from that day on he can't keep a pig alive for more than four weeks because Martha is bewitching them with her books.

What does Mary Warren mean when she says, "I saved her life today!"?

Abigail had accused Elizabeth of witchcraft (she will do whatever it takes to get John for herself, even if that means taking Elizabeth out of the picture), but Mary said that she never saw anything from Elizabeth that could prove that claim. Due to this, the court moves on from that accusation. Mary saved Elizabeth's life by stopping the claim against her from going any further.

What news does Giles Corey reveal to the Proctors and Reverend Hale?

Giles Corey reveals to the Proctors and Reverend Hale that his wife (Martha), and Rebecca Nurse have been taken to jail (they've been accused as well).

Proctor tells Hale that he knows Abigail and the girls were "sportin'" in the woods. What does Hale believe Proctor should do with this information?

Hale believes that Proctor should keep this information to himself, and not tell anyone. "God keep you both; let the third child be quickly baptized, and go you without fail each Sun-day in to Sabbath prayer; and keep a solemn, quiet way among you," (Miller). -tells him to testify in court

How does Mary Warren begin to behave towards her employers?

Mary Warren now begins to talk back to her employers and stand up for herself more due to her newfound confidence from being "an official of the court." She embraces her new "job" and even demands respect from the Proctors at one point.

What does Proctor ask Mary Warren to do?

Proctor asks Mary Warren to confess to the court that she made the poppet and gave it to Elizabeth (also explain that Elizabeth had nothing to do with the doll, nor the knife going into Abigail's stomach).

Explain why Cheever is both astonished and afraid when he finds the poppet with the needle in it.

Before, Abigail had sat down to eat dinner, but this was interrupted when she let out a horrific scream, and when Parris checked on her, she was bleeding and had a knife stuck into her stomach. Abigail blamed Elizabeth for this by claiming she saw her spirit stick the knife in. So, when Cheever finds the poppet with the needle in it, he believes it is some sort of voodoo doll that Elizabeth used to commit the act (causes him to feel astonished and afraid)

What does Elizabeth ask John to do?

Elizabeth asks John to go to Salem and tell the court what Abigail said to him when they were alone (there was no witchcraft going on, the girls were just fooling around; Abigail has just been lying and spreading misinformation this entire time so she can have John to herself, and so she didn't get in trouble).

What does Proctor decide to do?

Even though he knows this will ruin him, John Proctor decides that him and Mary Warren will both go to the court tomorrow and testify against Abigail. He hurt/let down Elizabeth once for his own actions, and he's not going to do it again.

Why do Ezekial Cheever and Marshal Herrick arrive at the Proctor home?

Ezekial Cheever and Marshal Herrick arrive at the Proctor home because they have a warrant to arrest Elizabeth. -warrant to also look for the poppet

How does John Proctor respond to questions about why he has not been to church?

John Proctor gives a few reasons as to why he has not been to church. He claims that his wife had been sick and needed to stay home during those times, and that he doesn't like Reverend Parris. Believes that he is a selfish, stubborn, and non-holy man, who should be talking about heaven and good things like that, but instead focuses on hell and the bad things in the world.

What news does Mary Warren reveal to John and Elizabeth about the trials? Who is to be hanged? Who confessed? How many are accused?

Marry Warren reveals to John and Elizabeth that Goody Obsurn will be hanged because she refused to confess being involved with the Devil and is sticking up for herself, and that Goody Good did confess (she doesn't want to be hanged and will confess to anything, so she won't lose her life). Mary also mentions how 39 people have now been accused.

Why has Mary Warren disobeyed her employers and gone to Salem?

Mary Warren disobeyed the Proctors and had gone to Salem because she had been named an official of the court. This boosted her confidence and made her feel more important than just being a servant (gave her a purpose).

Why is Mary so afraid to testify against Abigail? What does Mary Warren warn Proctor will happen if he testifies against Abigail?

Mary is so afraid to testify against Abigail because Abigail threatened her and the others girls with death if they didn't do what she told them/go along with their story; she knows Abigail will have no mercy if she doesn't get what she wants. Mary warns John Proctor that if he testifies against Abigail in court, she'll charge lechery on him (and since Abigail has so much power right now, the court will believe her and John will suffer the consequences).

What has Rebecca Nurse been accused of?

Rebecca Nurse has been accused of murdering Goody Putnam's babies (the 4 that she helped deliver when she was Goody Putnam's midwife).

What does Reverend Hale ask Proctor to do? Why?

Reverend Hale asks Proctor to recite the Ten Commandments. He wants to see if Proctor is as faithful to the Puritans belief/way of life as he says he is (Hale is testing him, seeing if he really is a good Christian man, etc.).

Why does Reverend Hale visit the Proctors?

Reverend Hale is visiting the Proctors because he is going around introducing himself to everyone (including them), and trying to get to know people more. After all, he is new to this town, and doesn't know much about anyone or anything. He is also hoping that these "meet and greets" will help him get to the bottom of this whole situation.

Discuss the meaning of Elizabeth saying, "Adultery, John." Why does he need to be reminded of this commandment?

When John was reciting the commandments, he stumbled on a few of them, and repeated one of them twice. He forgot the commandment "Thou shall not commit adultery." He needed to be reminded of this commandment because it is the one, he broke when he had an affair with Abigail. He knows what he did was wrong, and has tried to move past it and forget it, which also caused him to forget it.

What does Elizabeth realize about Abigail's true intentions when she finds out that she has been accused? What does Elizabeth believe Abigail's plan is?

When she finds out that she has been accused, Elizabeth realizes that Abigail wants her dead so she can have John all to herself. Elizabeth believes Abigail's plan to get what she wants is to accuse Elizabeth of witchcraft to the court, and to try to have her hanged along with the others.

What did Abigail Williams reveal to John Proctor? Elizabeth reminds him of this. Why won't John tell the court this information?

When they were talking to one another alone, Abigail Williams revealed to John Proctor that the girls were just playing around and dancing in the woods, and that there wasn't any witchcraft involved. Betty just got scared, fainted, and didn't wake up before because she didn't want to get in trouble. John doesn't want to tell the court this information because he doesn't have any solid proof that would back up his claims (they were alone together), and he also doesn't want to risk his life/reputation. If people find out about the affair him and Abigail had, or think he's lying when he mentions what Abigail said, he could be hanged/killed himself.