The Crucible Act 2

Where does Mary Warren, apprentice in the Proctor household, spend most of her days recently?

in the courts with the other girls

Why does Elizabeth want John to go see Abigail?

to try and convince her to tell the court the truth about what happened in the woods.

What does Mary Warren give to Elizabeth that later gets her in trouble?

a had-sewn doll--poppet

Who comes to ask questions about the Christianity of John Proctor's household?

Rev. Hale

Which commandment does John forget?

adultery-- ironic b/c that's the one he broke

Why doesn't Proctor want Mary to go back to court (*hint* before Elizabeth was accused)?

She is his servant and she needs to do her job

Why does Mary say she cannot tell the truth in court?

She is afraid of what Abigail will do to her

What is Mary's motive in giving the "poppet" to Elizabeth?

She is setting her up b/c Abigail most likely forced her to

At first, Mary Warren enjoys her role in court because she ...

likes the power and status she has in the village.

Giles Corey thinks Putnam is accusing neighbors of witchcraft because Putnam wants to ...

gain their land

When Mary says that the crowd parted for Abigail like the sea for Israel, she makes ...

an allusion to the Bible

What gift did Mary Warren give Elizabeth?

a poppet (doll)

What does John Proctor mean when he says, "My wife will never die for me"?

He knows his adultery has caused Elizabeth to be arrested.

When Elizabeth says to Proctor, "The magistrate sits in your heart that judges you," she means that Proctor ...

carries the knowledge of his own guilt

On what charge(s) was Rebecca Nurse arrested?

The murder of Goody Putnam's babies

Sarah Good is accused of witchcraft because she ...

could not recite the ten commandments

People "part like the seas" for Abigail because they ...

fear her power to accuse them

By the end of Act Two, Reverend Hale has begun to worry that ...

perhaps innocent people are being accused.

Which of the following words best characterizes Mary Warren?

gullible

Why does Elizabeth think that Abigail wants to kill her?

She believes Abby wants to take her place as John's wife.

Goody Osburn will hang, but Sarah Good will not because ...

Sarah Good confessed, but Goody Osburn did not.

Elizabeth urges John to go to Salem to ...

tell the court that Abigail's story is a hoax.

Why is there tension between Elizabeth Proctor and her husband?

He has had a adulterous affair

Abigail stuck a needle into her stomach in order to ...

accuse Elizabeth Proctor of witchcraft

Why did Hale come to Proctor's house?

To tell John that Elizabeth's name had been mentioned at court

What things are "suspicious" about Proctor and his family?

they haven't been to church in a while and Elizabeth is suspected of witchcraft

Hale ask Elizabeth if she believes in witches, what is her reply?

She says she does not believe in witches *RED FLAG FOR HALE* What she really meant was that the way they think of witches is wrong, not that they don't exist

Why does Cheever come to the Proctor house?

business of the court (arresting Elizabeth)

What is John's response to Elizabeth's request of him meeting with Abigail to straighten things out?

He gets very angry with her

What was the "evidence" against Sarah Good?

after being refused bread and cider by Mary Warren, she walks away mumbling saying her commendments

How many women did Mary say had been arrested?

39

What woman is sentenced to hang?

Goody Osburn

What did Mary Warren say that made Elizabeth panic?

Mary said that Elizabeth's name was mentioned in the courts but that she had refused the accusations and "saved her life"

Who goes from being a logical thinker to someone who is brainwashed by the lies told by Abigail and Parris?

Reverend Hale

What is the Puritan idealogy?

"House is not a church" --> mentioned when Hale questions Proctor about his absence in Church

What was the meaning/importance of the golden candlesticks?

Puritans are not supposed to have anything ornate, so when Parris requested them he pissed the people off b/c their money would go towards the golden candlesticks

Who does not like the church in Salem?

Proctor

Does Hale suspect Elizabeth?

YES!

Why is Hale concerned while talking to Elizabeth and Proctor during Act 2?

They are being very sketchy, which leads him to believe they are hiding something

Why was Martha Corey arrested?

She was accused of bewitching animals

Why was Elizabeth charged?

For attempted murder via poppet

Who is particularly shocked by Rebecca Nurse being jailed?

Reverend Hale b/c he feels she is a good Christian woman; he says that she will be sent home by the courts (no she won't, there is no justice in the courts at this time!)

what does mean?

rather

Who did Proctor originally think could help Elizabeth clear her name?

Ezekial Cheever: he gets drunk off of his new power and Proctor is very angry

What does a familiar spirit refer to?

The spirit or demon, most usually in the form of an animal such as a black cat, that was a companion and helper to a witch

What signifies a needle?

The needle with the doll was meant to represent a voodoo-like doll, where whatever is done to the doll is then done to the person

What does Mary Warren say when confronted about the doll?

She says that it is hers and that she stuck the needle in it but meant no harm

What does John yell at the men who were taking his wife to prison?

To take the chains off of her; they threaten him to go back inside

What promise does JP make once Elizabeth is being taken to prison?

He promises to stop at nothing to get her out, even if it hurts his reputation

Who says, "I cannot, I cannot!" and what were they referring to?

Mary Warren said this in response to John telling her she was forced to g to the courts and tell the truth (she cires bc she is afraid of Abigail)

What is the present state of the Proctors' marital relationship? Are things settled or tense, and how do you know this?

At the beginning of act 2 their relationship is calm but there is awkward tension, "lines 157-164." Once she is accused (pg. 174, lines 990-992) he shows that he cares.

What two characters changed their attitudes once they became important in the courts?

Mary Warren and Ezekial Cheever

Mary Warren mentions the type of evidence that the court uses to persecute those on trial. What types of evidence were used?

Ten Commandments and hearsay (what people hear) were types of evidence

What important information did Abigail Williams reveal to John Proctor in Act 1? What does Elizabeth want John to do with this information?

Elizabeth wants John to make known the intentions that Abigail has for Elizabeth Proctor (to get rid of her) and the false statement she made to John when Betty was sick.

Why would the courts most likely believe Abigail's word over the Proctor's?

They would probably believe Abigail over the Proctors b/c Abigail is already known in the court for making accusations and is the niece of Parris (high up in the community) while the Proctor's are known for doing their own thing

Towards the end of this scene, what does Reverend Hale urge John to do with this significant information?

Take care of your religious obligations, don't make a mess and testify

How has Elizabeth Proctor been "set up", and by whom has she been set up, and why?

The poppet was made by Mary Warren in the courts when she was sitting by Abigail (Abigail controls them so she made her do it most likely). Mary Warren puts the needle under the skirt of the poppet and to make it look legit. Abigail stabbed herself with a needle and accused EP.

What is John Proctor's tone at the conclusion of this scene? What does she vow to do? Use quotes!

John Proctor's tone is angry and he wants her to vow to tell the truth about Abigail's lies. We see his rage by him saying, "You're coming to the court with me, Mary. You will tell it in the court." Mary Warren says she cannot but he tells her, "Make your peace with it!"

He uses violence to prove how serious he is (salty tone) and then changes to calm down towards the end (somewhat at peace)

What is "wintery" about the home at the start of Act 2?

The marriage of John and Elizabeth is a little cold right now; she acts coldly toward him. Also references there will be rekindling in their marriage since spring comes after winter.

What is John's response to Elizabeth's prodding?

He is mad, aggravated, and thinks she's judging him.

Explain the metaphor of the "everlasting funeral" in Elizabeth's heart.

He means Elizabeth won't let go of what he did and won't forgive him.

How is Abigail a "saint" in the proceedings?

No one knows about the affair with her and John Proctor and she gives the people of Salem validation to blame people.

What motivates John to hold back from going to town?

He doesn't want Abigail to expose what they did because he doesn't want to ruin his reputation and he has no proof to deny it. (in this aspect he is like Rev. Parris)

Elizabeth says that the judge lives in John's own heart. Who is right in this argument? And what is the important quote she said?

Elizabeth is right -- he thinks she judges him because he won't forget the wrong he did. Elizabeth said, "I do not judge you. The magistrate sits in heart that judges you."

What gift does Mary give to Elizabeth and what is it's significance?

Mary gave her a poppet; which led Elizabeth to be accused of witchcraft.

What was the evidence against Sarah Good?

She is old, unmarried, and pregnant.

What does Mary think that Sarah Osbourne did to her?

She mumbles, doesn't know her commandments and supposedly choked everyone with her spirit.

How is the accusation of Elizabeth different from the others? What could this signify in the trial?

Elizabeth is a farmer's wife and well respectable; they actually had proof that she could be a witch. Now people know anyone, even the most respected, can be accused of witchcraft.

Why does Mary want to be a part of the trial?

She wants power and she wants protection from being accused.

What does John's blush mean to him and Abigail?

John is feeling ashamed, but to Abigail it means he still likes her.

What does the following quote mean: "The promise a stallion gives a mare I gave that girl"?

It means he didn't care about her and it was just sex, nothing more.

Why doesn't Proctor want Mary back in court?

He doesn't want her to be apart of accusing "witches".

Why does Elizabeth think that Abigail wants to kill her?

Abigail wants to take her place.

Why did Hale come to the Proctor home and how has he changed?

He wanted to see why a respectable household was accused/mentioned in the court. He's changed because he's starting to have inner doubt.

What is suspicious to Hale about the Proctor home and its inhabitants?

John didn't go to church on the Sabbath Day, one child isn't baptized, and he couldn't say all of his commandments.

Which commandment does John forget and what does this mean?

He forgets the commandment about adultery. He didn't want to say the last one because that's the one he broke.

When Hale and Proctor speak, what is each man's thought process? What is the purpose of each and how do they misunderstand each other?

Proctor thinks Hale is trying to accuse him, but really Hale is trying to find some good signs they aren't witches.

What significance of the communication that is left out in Hale and Proctor's conversation?

John answers questions in a way so he can't be prosecuted. Hale thinks it's a big deal that John forgot the last one, but John thinks it's okay since he and Elizabeth know them all together.

Hale asks Elizabeth if she believes in witches; how is her response significant?

She said she doesn't if she is accused of being one. She doesn't think witches can exist if a good woman like her can be accused.

On what charge(s) was Rebecca Nurse arrested?

For killing the Putnam's babies.

Who is the "brick and mortar" of the church? How so?

Rebecca is the "brick and mortar". She keeps the church together; without her the church will fall apart.

Why was Martha taken? Who is to blame?

Because she bewitched someone from being able to keep pigs alive and she read books that stopped her husband from praying. Giles is to blame.

Why does Cheever come to the Proctor home?

He was ordered, by the court, to look for a poppet.

Explain the significance of the needle in the poppet.

It's how Abgail was able to accuse Elizabeth.

Abigail was stabbed with a needle; does Mary know her position in all of this? Why or why not?

No because Abigail is the type of person that wil cleverly find out things and turn them to her advantage.

Why don't people stand up to Abigail?

Because they are afraid of her and she knows people's secrets.

Why can't Proctor look at his wife when she was taken?

It's his fault and he can't do anything about it.

What will happen if Proctor tries to discredit Abigail?

She would expose their affair and he would be know as a lecher.

Why doesn't Mary want to testify in court about the doll?

She's afraid of Abigail; she didn't want things to turn on her where she's accused of being a witch.

"We are only what we always were, but naked now". What does this mean?

It means that people true-selves are coming out; people are being exposed.

What is the setting for Act II of the Crucible?

The common room of John and Elizabeth Proctor's farmhouse, eight days after Act I.

Betty Parris

10; inert, mom dead, dad is Reverand Parris, found in the forest

Tituba

-from Barbados, Rev Parris's slave, broguht by Parris, voodoo in the forest, mother figure to Abigail

Abigail Williams

-beautiful, orphan, Parris's neice, 17, dissembling, affair w/ Proctor, hates Eliz. leaders, dancing naked in forest

Susannah Wolcott

-16, works for doctor, in the forest, nervous, hurried

Ann Putnam

-45, twisted soul, death-ridden, haunted 7 dead babies

Ruth Putnam

-inert, forest, sent by mother

Thomas Putnam

-many greviances, vindictive, arrogant, 50, greedy

Rev. Samual Parris

-educated, 40s, wife dead, arrogant, reputations, wants money

Mercy Lewis

-mericless, 18, naked in forest, fat, sly, Putnams servant