The Crucible: Act II Study Guide Name: ______

Answer each of the following questions in thoughtful, complete sentences.

1.  What is the setting of Act II?

2.  In discussing the proceedings in Salem, what does Elizabeth urge her husband to do? Why is he reluctant to agree to her request?

3.  When we met Mary Warren in Act I, she was timid and insecure. How has she changed since the accusations began? Provide evidence.

4.  How long ago was the affair between John Proctor and Abigail, and what does John mean when he tells Elizabeth, “I’ll plead my honesty no more”?

5.  What gift does Mary give to Elizabeth, and what is the later significance of this gift?

6.  What “hard proof, hard as a rock” do Mary Warren and the court have against Sarah Osborne?

7.  According to John Proctor, why hasn’t his youngest son been baptized?

8.  What is meant by Reverend Hale when he says to John, “There is a softness in your record, sir, a softness”?

9.  Which of the 10 Commandments can John Proctor not recall when questioned by Reverend Hale?

10.  What explanation does Proctor offer to Hale as to why Tituba, Sarah Good, and numerous others have confessed to witchcraft?

11.  With what crime is Rebecca Nurse charged?

12.  According to Giles Corey, why has his wife been arrested?

13.  How does Abigail arrange to have Elizabeth Proctor arrested?

14.  Why does Mary Warren refuse to testify against Abigail?

15.  What is meant by John when he says, “We shall slide together into our pit”?

Critical Thinking

1.  Although the Proctor home seems a picture of tranquility at the beginning of Act II, tensions linger between Elizabeth and John. Explain how this is evident in the opening pages of Act II.

2.  Explain what Elizabeth Proctor means when she tells John, “You have a faulty understanding of young girls. There is a promise made in any bed.” What does Elizabeth understand about Abigail’s motives that John refuses to accept?

3.  In the discussion between John and Elizabeth at the beginning of Act II, John seems to regret having confessed the affair to Elizabeth, saying, “I must have mistaken you for God that day,” and telling Elizabeth to “judge me not.” John’s remarks would indicate that his sin is solely between him and God. Do you agree? Why or why not?

4.  In what ways do the events of Act II demonstrate that Salem, Mass., in 1692 operates as a theocracy? (Pay special attention to Reverend Hale’s interrogation of the Proctors)

5.  Is Reverend Hale a just man? Justify your response.

6.  What is meant by John Proctor’s closing statement, “It is a providence and no great change; we are only what we always were, but naked now. Aye, naked!”

7.  Read scene 2 (see appendix, p. 139) and speculate why Miller chose to drop this scene from his play. Does the scene reveal anything new about the characters?