The Crucible Act 2 Critical Reading Answers

Act ii of The Crucible takes united states to the Proctor household, where we acquire just how crazy things accept gotten in Salem afterward the initial flood of accusations. We'll besides find out the extent to which John Proctor'southward relationship with Elizabeth has suffered after his affair. By the finish of Act 2, characters who were idea to be across reproach volition discover themselves in mortal peril every bit a result of unchecked hysteria.

I'll provide two different summaries. The first is a curt summary intended for quick review of the plot, and the 2nd is a long summary (the "oops I didn't read information technology" summary) for those of you who want more than specific details on exactly what happened, including smaller side conversations and minor plot points.

The Crucible Human activity two Summary — Short Version

John and Elizabeth discuss the trials in Salem, and they both realize things are getting out of hand (though John still believes the court would never actually hang anyone). Elizabeth tells John he has to get into town and inform them that Abigail is lying. John's hesitance leads to an argument rooted in his affair and the lack of trust that continues to pervade their union.

Mary Warren, who went to Salem to testify against the Proctors' wishes, returns to the house and gives Elizabeth a poppet (doll) she made in court. Mary reveals that Elizabeth was defendant in court, but she spoke up in her defense. It's clear that Abigail is accusing Elizabeth considering she hopes to have her place as John Proctor's wife. This leads to another statement where Elizabeth urges John to tell Abigail that there's absolutely no possibility of them always being together.

Unhurt arrives and questions the Proctors well-nigh their religious devotion based on the accusations levied against Elizabeth. John tells him that the girls are frauds, and Hale actually starts to uncertainty the validity of the accusers' claims. Giles Corey and Francis Nurse come to the house in distress, revealing that both of their wives take been arrested for witchcraft. And so, Ezekiel Cheever and Marshal Herrick arrive with a warrant for Elizabeth's arrest. They notice the doll that Mary gave her and notice that information technology has a needle stuck in it. This matches upwards with the "set on" on Abigail allegedly perpetrated past Elizabeth'due south spirit.

Proctor gets Mary to tell the truth near the doll. She says that she made information technology in courtroom and stuck the needle in herself with Abigail sitting right next to her. All the same, the authorities are not convinced past this story. Proctor tears up the arrest warrant in frustration, merely Elizabeth agrees to go peacefully.

When everyone else has left, Proctor tells Mary that she must testify on Elizabeth's behalf in courtroom. Mary is terrified to practice this because she knows that Abigail will turn the residuum of the courtroom against her. Proctor begins to experience a sort of relief considering he senses that he and all the other hypocrites are finally being punished for their sins.

Judgment, both internal and external, is a constant throughout The Crucible.

The Crucible Act 2 Summary —"Oops, I Didn't Read It" Version

Act ii takes identify at the Proctor household 8 days later on Act i. Elizabeth Proctor serves John dinner, and they conversation about his twenty-four hours. There's some tension between them considering of the lingering effects of John's affair with Abigail. Elizabeth says that Mary Warren went to Salem that day, and John is angry because he forbid her to go. Elizabeth claims she tried to stop her, but Mary insisted on participating in the court proceedings.

Elizabeth so reveals the full extent of the situation in Salem to John. 4 judges take been summoned from Boston to preside over the trials, and fourteen people are jailed on accusations of witchcraft. Abigail has been exercising a great deal of power in court and continues to feign existence attacked by witches. Elizabeth says John must go to Salem to tell the court that Abigail is a fraud. He has some reservations because it will be his word against hers. She thinks he wouldn't be so hesitant to practice this if he had to discredit a different girl. John gets angry that Elizabeth still won't fully trust him around Abigail, and he feels liks he'southward e'er being judged. Elizabeth points out that it's really his internal guilt about the affair that'due south making him feel judged.

At this point, Mary arrives back from Salem appearing drained from the day'southward proceedings. She gives Elizabeth a poppet (a rag doll, essentially) that she fabricated in court. Mary tells the Proctors that there are at present 39 people arrested. She breaks down and starts crying. Mary reveals that Goody Osburn is set to hang, but Sarah Adept confessed, so she will live. Mary is genuinely convinced that Sarah Practiced tried to kill her by sending out her spirit. She and so claims to retrieve other times that she was bewitched by Sarah Adept. Sarah Skillful was ultimately condemned subsequently being unable to recite her commandments.

Mary insists on going back to court the next twenty-four hour period because she feels that she's doing God's work. John Proctor tries to whip Mary for her insolence, but Mary interjects that she saved Elizabeth's life past defending her confronting accusations in court. Proctor dismisses Mary. Later on this, Elizabeth is pretty sure that Abigail wants her expressionless. She thinks Abigail is trying to take her place as Proctor'southward married woman and will proceed to charge her until she is arrested. Proctor tries to allay these suspicions fifty-fifty though he knows that she's probably correct. Elizabeth insists that John go to Abigail and tell her explicitly that there is no possibility of them ever being together in the future. John gets aroused (over again) that Elizabeth presumes that he'south still attached to Abigail and is leading her on in some way.

At this signal, Reverend Hale arrives at the firm to speak with the Proctors about the accusations made confronting Elizabeth. He has but come up from questioning Rebecca Nurse, who was accused despite her solid reputation in boondocks. Hale asks why John doesn't become to church building often, and he says it'south because his married woman has been sick and he dislikes Parris' displays of materialism. Unhurt asks Proctor to say his commandments, and, ironically, the merely one he forgets is adultery. Unhurt is non satisfied.

Elizabeth insists that John tell Hale that the girls are faking. After hearing what Proctor has to say, Hale starts to doubt the accusers too. All the same, Proctor balks at testifying in court because the atmosphere sounds so hysterical ("I falter nix, but I may wonder if my story will be credited in such a court." pg. 65). Elizabeth says she actually doesn't believe in witches at all, and Hale is taken aback because witches are specifically mentioned in the Bible.

Giles Corey enters the house accompanied by Francis Nurse. They reveal to Unhurt and the Proctors that their wives have been arrested and sent to jail. Rebecca Nurse is suspected of murdering Ann Putnam's babies. Hale says if Rebecca Nurse has fallen nether the control of the Devil, no one is condom. Corey now realizes he fabricated a mistake past voicing his suspicions about his wife's reading habits in the previous act. The human being who accused Martha Corey bought a pig from her that died soon after. He was bitter that Martha wouldn't refund him the coin, so to get revenge he accused her of casting spells with her books.

Ezekiel Cheever and Marshal Herrick then arrive at the house. They have a warrant for Elizabeth Proctor'due south arrest, and they confirm that she was accused past Abigail. Cheever orders Elizabeth to hand over any dolls she has in the firm. Elizabeth is confused and says she hasn't had dolls since she was a kid. She forgot about the one Mary gave her earlier, which Cheever sees and examines. John Proctor tells Elizabeth to go go Mary so she tin can confirm that the doll was a gift. Cheever finds a needle in the doll, which he takes every bit proof of Elizabeth's guilt. Abigail vicious on the floor screaming at dinner and pulled a needle out of her stomach, challenge that Elizabeth'south familiar spirit stabbed her.

Mary and Elizabeth render, and Mary admits she made the doll in courtroom while Abigail was sitting next to her. John Proctor thinks that this makes it pretty clear that Abigail is lying, just it'southward not enough for Hale to discount the "proof." Hale warns Mary that she's making severe accusations against Abigail.

Proctor is fed up with the courtroom's blind trust in Abigail and the other accusers. He rips upwards the arrest warrant and tells everyone to leave. Elizabeth sees that there is no way out of the electric current state of affairs and agrees to go with the marshal to avert a scene. John promises to bring her back soon and calls Hale a coward for being too passive virtually the situation. Hale counsels patience and reason so that they can get to the bottom of what'south really happening.

Anybody exits the house except Mary and John Proctor. Proctor tells Mary she must bear witness in courtroom about the existent story behind the doll. She is concerned nearly Abigail's potential reaction. Mary knows about the matter, and she thinks Abigail will come clean virtually it and ruin Proctor's reputation if Mary tries to discredit her. Mary also believes that the court will plough against her if she tells the truth. Proctor is adamant that Elizabeth will not die for his mistakes with Abigail and starts getting aggressive with Mary to scare her into telling the truth. Mary continues to insist that she tin't bear witness considering of the potential consequences.

Does your target always get stabbed with the same implement that you used to poke the voodoo doll? And does that mean y'all tin only use voodoo dolls to requite people you hate superficial puncture wounds? Luckily for Abigail, no one is in the right state of mind to care about how picayune sense all of this makes.

The Crucible Act 2 Quotes

This section lists the most important quotes in Act 2. I've written short explanations for each that elaborate on their significance.

"I have not moved from there to there without I think to please you, and notwithstanding an everlasting funeral marches circular your middle. I cannot speak simply I am doubted, every moment judged for lies, as though I come into a court when I come up into this business firm!" (John Proctor pg. 52)

In this quote, John Proctor criticizes his wife for standing to mistrust him subsequently he concluded things with Abigail. He claims that "an everlasting funeral marches circular [her] middle," meaning that she insists on continuing to mourn for the damage the affair did to their relationship rather than allowing him to repair it. He feels that Elizabeth is constantly suspicious of him at present, to the betoken where he tin can't practise annihilation without beingness judged. In fact, Elizabeth doesn't show many signs of existence overly judgmental of John (she's actually doing pretty well considering he just had an thing with a teenager), and about of these issues are a projection of his own guilt.

"I practise not judge you. The magistrate sits in your heart that judges you." (Elizabeth Proctor pg. 52)

The real court in Salem is mirrored by a metaphorical court inside the mind of John Proctor. Here, Elizabeth points out that John is his ain harshest judge. If anyone is judging him, it'due south a mini-John Proctor with a approximate wig banging a tiny gavel right on his heart strings. Since he's unable to forgive himself for the matter, he projects his guilt onto her even when she'southward not acting especially judgmental.

"I am amazed y'all do not see what weighty work nosotros do." (Mary Warren pg. 56)

Mary uses "weighty" as a synonym for "important" or "vital." She feels that she'southward doing God's work, and she is given a sense of purpose and duty through her participation in the trials. In a sense, the trials really are "weighty work" because they overhaul the entire community. They provide an outlet for the repressed resentments and jealousies that were simmering under the surface.

"Theology, sir, is a fortress; no crack in the fortress may be accounted small-scale." (Reverend Hale pg. 64)

This quote from Hale is a testament to the ability of the church in this community and the perception of faith at the fourth dimension. In that location is an "either yous're with us or y'all're confronting us" mentality that encourages persecution of anyone who deviates even slightly from accepted Christian behavior. 1 misstep can derail a reputation completely, so everyone is eager to conform out of concerns for self-preservation.

"There is a misty plot afoot and so subtle nosotros should exist criminal to cling to old respects and ancient friendships. I have seen too many frightful proofs in court - the Devil is alive in Salem, and we dare not quail to follow wherever the accusing finger points!" (Reverend Hale pg. 68)

This quote from Hale sums upwards the atmosphere of hysteria that has emerged in Salem. Everyone is afraid to question any of the accusers because that might mean falling for the Devil'southward tricks. They feel that the consequences of doubting these accusations could be more dire than the risk of having some innocent people caught up in the mix. Reputation has been conquered by paranoia.

Both Parris and Hale volition cite different theological examples over the grade of the play where someone who was once idea to be virtuous turned out to exist evil. In this case, information technology's "Human being, remember, until an hour before the Devil vicious, God thought him cute in Heaven" (Reverend Hale pg. 68). In the next act, Parris will say "You should surely know that Cain were an upright man, and all the same he did impale Abel" (Reverend Parris pg. 85). On some occasions in the Bible, people who were idea to be good turned out to be bad. This shaky precedent is extrapolated to the current situation and gives the church leaders reason to mistrust even the most well-reputed citizens of Salem.

"Why do yous never wonder if Parris exist innocent, or Abigail? Is the accuser ever holy at present? Were they born this morning as clean as God's fingers? I'll tell you what's walking Salem - vengeance is walking Salem. We are what we e'er were in Salem, but now the little crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom, and common vengeance writes the police force!" (John Proctor pg. 73)

John is incredibly frustrated considering the accusers are all taken at their give-and-take, and the defendant are denied a off-white opportunity to defend themselves. He points out that many of these accusations are clearly driven by revenge. Though that desire for vengeance was always there within the people of Salem, it has only now begun to touch judicial processes and societal ability structures in dramatic ways. "The little crazy children" are the accusers, more often than not teenage girls who previously had no power in Salem. They are now "jangling the keys of the kingdom," or testing their power to provoke widespread chaos that favors their own agendas.

"Now Hell and heaven grapple on our backs, and all our erstwhile pretense is ripped away - brand your peace! Peace. It is a providence, and no great change; we are only what we e'er were, simply naked now." (John Proctor pg. 76)

This an aside John makes to himself at the end of Act ii. He views the witch trials every bit an unveiling of the truthful nature of the people of Salem. No one has suddenly become vengeful, paranoid, and unjust - they were always like this underneath a shallow layer of decorum. Proctor has likewise been burdened by the secret of his affair with Abigail and the guilt he has about it. He sees himself equally an immoral person, and he is relieved in a certain sense that he'southward about to be exposed for the hypocrite he is so his sins will stop eating him upwardly within.

John was referring to his two cats, Sky and Hell. Metaphorical pet names were all the rage in 17th century New England.

The Crucible Human activity 2 Thematic Analysis

This is a brief analysis of the nigh prevalent themes in Act 2. I'll come out with a more comprehensive thematic analysis for the whole play very presently!

Irony

This act sees one of the most blatant examples of irony in the play. When John is asked to recite the ten commandments, the merely 1 he forgets is the one almost applicable to him, adultery ("Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's married woman."). This shows how difficult John is trying to repress his guilt. He hopes to leave the affair in the past and pretend it never happened, but he tin can't ignore the impact information technology has had on his relationship with Elizabeth, his sense of self-worth, and Abigail's psyche.

Hysteria

Deed Two is when the full extent of the hysteria in Salem becomes credible. Mary says that there are at present not 14 but 39 people who have been thrown in jail on suspicion of witchcraft. The hysteria has been heightened by several confessions which seem to confirm the existence of an evil witchy plot. People are told they volition be executed if they refuse to confess, and then manifestly fake confessions abound. The regime and citizens of the town are so scared of the possibility that these coerced confessions could exist the truth that they ignore whatever logical objections to the proceedings ("I take seen too many frightful proofs in court - the Devil is live in Salem, and we dare not quail to follow wherever the accusing finger points!" Hale pg. 68). They instead go along to push for more confessions, which are then counted as "evidence" of a chiliad Satanic plot. Anyone who doubts the beingness of this plot is brought under suspicion.

When the poppet is discovered in Elizabeth's possession, it is taken equally physical proof that she's involved in witchcraft. Elizabeth'south side of the story immediately becomes about irrelevant because Abigail's testimony is much scarier and more dramatic: "She sat to dinner in Reverend Parris'south firm this evening, and without word nor warnin' she falls to the floor. Similar a struck animate being, he says, and screamed a scream that a bull would cry to hear. And he goes to salve her, and, stuck ii inches in the mankind of her belly, he describe a needle out." (Cheever pg. 71). The idea that a witch's familiar spirit could be going around stabbing people willy-nilly is too horrifying for people who genuinely believe in witchcraft to give Elizabeth the do good of the dubiety. Everyone severely underestimates Abigail's ambition and deviousness.

Reputation

Goody Skilful, an old ragamuffin woman, is one of the first to be accused considering she is already held in such low regard. Information technology'southward like shooting fish in a barrel for respectable citizens to accept that she's in league with the Devil because she is an "other" in Salem, just similar Tituba. Elizabeth knows that Abigail has it in for her because there'south no other reason she would take the hazard of accusing a farmer'southward married woman with a solid reputation. Elizabeth is an upstanding member of the customs, whereas other women who have been accused were already at the bottom of the totem pole.

Elizabeth knows that her high status nevertheless affords her some credibility, merely this is the signal at which the value of reputation in Salem starts to barrel heads with the power of hysteria and fright to sway people's opinions (and vengeance to dictate their deportment). In this act information technology is also revealed that Rebecca Nurse has been accused, a woman whose character was previously thought to be unimpeachable. This is taken every bit testify that things are actually getting out of control ("if Rebecca Nurse be tainted, then nothing'south left to terminate the whole greenish world from burning." Hale pg. 67) , simply nevertheless people hesitate to ignominy the accusers out of fearfulness for their own reputations.

Power and Authorisation

In Act 2, we see that Mary Warren has been given a new sense of her ain power through the value placed on her testimony in court. Elizabeth notes that Mary'due south demeanor, previously very meek, is now like that of "the daughter of a prince" (pg. 50). Mary has never felt like she was a function of something pregnant like this before, which likely adds to her conviction that the people she's accusing are truly witches. Mary and the other girls are riding on a high of attention and respect from powerful people in the community, and then they are peculiarly motivated to stick to their stories (and even genuinely believe their own lies).

At this betoken, Abigail has gone from a nobody to (unofficially) one of the virtually powerful people in Salem. Information technology would be incredibly difficult for her to go back on her accusations now. Abigail's low status in normal times ironically gives her a great deal of power in her current situation. No one thinks she's smart or devious enough to make up all these insane stories, so she is taken at her word. In the words of John Proctor, "the little crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom" (pg. 73).

Guilt

This theme is prominent in the dynamic between John and Elizabeth. John is frustrated with Elizabeth because she still doesn't fully trust him, but he'due south really projecting his internal guilt virtually his affair with Abigail onto her. John gets worked up because he's aroused at himself for essentially setting these accusations in motion against his married woman. He'due south frustrated that he hasn't been allowed to leave the matter behind him and hates that he now has to face to real consequences. He underestimated Abigail and is now paying the cost. John's guilt is a huge thematic undercurrent throughout the play, equally we will see to an even greater extent in the next two acts.

Even before his arrest (spoiler alert), John is a prisoner of his own guilt. He kinda deserves it, tbh.

The Crucible Act 2 Summary Conclusion

In Act two, the state of affairs in Salem goes from worrisome to straight up horrifying. It becomes clear but how far the characters are willing to go to protect themselves against the boondocks's burgeoning hysteria (even if information technology ways setting others on a path to the gallows). Allow's recap the well-nigh important events:

• Elizabeth informs John that more people accept been arrested, and he needs to go to Salem to tell the courtroom that Abigail is a fraud.

• Mary returns from Salem afterwards participating in the trials and gives Elizabeth a ragdoll she fabricated in court.

• Mary tells the Proctors that Elizabeth was mentioned briefly, but the accusations were dismissed thanks to Mary's favorable testimony.

• Elizabeth knows Abigail will continue to accuse her until something sticks, and she tells John he has to go directly to Abigail and tell her that they're NEVER gonna be a thing.

• Hale warily questions the Proctors well-nigh their skimpy church attendance, and John tells him Abigail is a fraud. Hale has fleeting doubts about the legitimacy of the girls' accusations.

• Francis Nurse and Giles Corey come to the firm and say that their wives have been arrested.

• Then, Ezekiel Cheever and Align Herrick make it with a warrant for Elizabeth'south arrest.

• They find a needle in the doll Mary gave Elizabeth that corresponds to the needle that Elizabeth'due south familiar spirit supposedly used to stab Abigail.

• Elizabeth goes with them peacefully afterward realizing she tin can't evidence her innocence.

• John angrily insists that Mary must tell the court Abigail is lying.

• Mary says she's too scared of the consequences and doesn't think she can practice it.

This is all a prepare-upwards for the heightened drama of Act 3. John Proctor is prepared to tell the whole truth about Abigail to save his wife and the rest of the accused, but will that be enough to stalk the tide of witch-related hysteria? Hint: no.

What's Next?

Desire a full summary of the play all in i identify? Check out our complete overview of the plot of The Crucible, including descriptions of the main characters and a list of major themes.

If yous're looking for a deeper thematic word to aid you write a killer essay, read this article on how each theme manifests in the play and what larger conclusions tin can exist fatigued equally a result.

We've also written comprehensive analyses of the most meaning characters in The Crucible. Read all well-nigh the traits, actions, and thematic relevance of Abigail Williams, Rebecca Nurse, John Proctor, Giles Corey, and Mary Warren.

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About the Author

Samantha is a blog content writer for PrepScholar. Her goal is to help students adopt a less stressful view of standardized testing and other academic challenges through her manufactures. Samantha is also passionate virtually art and graduated with honors from Dartmouth Higher as a Studio Art major in 2014. In high school, she earned a 2400 on the Sabbatum, 5'due south on all seven of her AP tests, and was named a National Merit Scholar.

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