1. Act II Comprehension Questions
The Crucible
Act II Comprehension Questions

2. 1. What is the mood at the beginning of Act Two? Why?
Apprehensive and somber; tension between John and Elizabeth
2. What do we learn about John and Elizabeth’s relationship at the beginning of the act?
It has been under stress; there is not trust.
3. What does Mary give Elizabeth?
A poppet
4. What news does Mary Warren bring from court?
There have been more arrests; Elizabeth has been accused.
5. What does Elizabeth mean when she says: “Oh, the noose, the noose is up?”
Abigail Williams is making a move to have Elizabeth accused and executed.
6. What does Elizabeth want John to tell Abigail? What might happen if he does this?
Tell Abigail he does not love her, and she will never be with him; this may cause her to back off the witchcraft accusations, or it could backfire and make things worse.

3. 7. Why has Reverend Hale come to the Proctor house?
He has heard many names mentioned in court and because he is a stranger in town he has taken it upon himself to visit those whose names have been mentioned so he may form an opinion of them.
8. To what is John referring when he says: “…it tells me that a minister may pray to God without he have golden candlesticks upon the altar.”
Parris’s greed
9. What does Hale ask John to do? What happens?
Recite the Ten Commandments; he can’t remember “Thou shalt no commit adultery”
10. What is ironic about this omission?
He has committed adultery.
11. What news does Giles Corey and Frances Nurse give to John Proctor? On what basis are they accused?
Their wives have been arrested. Good Corey for reading strange books and using them to cast a spell that killed a man’s pigs; Good Nurse for killing Ann Putnam’s babies.
12. What is the significance of the poppet? How does this serve as “proof” for Elizabeth’s accusation?
Abigail was stabbed in the stomach; a needle was found in the poppet’s stomach.

4. 13. What does John mean when he says, “I’ll tell you what’s walking in Salem – vengeance is walking in Salem”?
It is not witchcraft at work – it is only people looking for revenge against those who they feel have wronged them somehow.
14. How does Mary Warren defend, to Elizabeth, her decision to go into town? What can you infer based on Mary’s reasoning.
Mary Warren tells Elizabeth that she is “an official of the court.” From this, you can infer that the court system is a very powerful force during this time, and children are using their power to their advantage.
15. Summarize the relationship between John Proctor and Mary Warren using at least one event from Act Two.
John Proctor is the authority figure who demands obedience. Mary Warren is the Proctor servant.
16. As a reader, do you have suspicions about John’s feelings towards Abigail? Defend your position.
John had previously confessed to his affair with Abigail He also wasn’t completely truthful about being alone with Abigail when she told him the girls were just playing. He is hesitant to go into town and expose the girls lies and blushes when he sees Abigail in church.
17. What proof does John use in his attempt to persuade Elizabeth of his feelings toward Abigail?
John points out that he is a good Christian who confessed his sins to her. He points out that he has been honest to her for the last 7 months. He claims he blushes only because he is embarrassed for his sins.
18. What facts about John’s “Christian character” does Hale want to discuss?
He asks why they haven’t been to church, why only two of the three sons are baptized, and if John knows the commandments.

5. 19. How does John refute, or argue against, Hale’s questions
19. How does John refute, or argue against, Hale’s questions? Do you consider his arguments invalid? Explain.
Johns says they haven’t been to church because his wife has been sick recently, and Parris is a greedy minister, and they don’t want him to baptize their son. Proctor claims he prayed at home when he could not attend church, and that he has worked for the church, nailing on the roof and hanging the doors. Proctor also attempts to recite the Ten Commandments. John’s arguments are valid but his failure to recite all ten of the Commandments weakens his position.
20. How do John’s and Elizabeth’s beliefs in witches differ from one another, as revealed in the questioning by Hale?
Johns says the Bible “speaks of witches,” so he won’t say there aren’t any. Elizabeth says she doesn’t believe in witches because she is being accused as one.
21. What character trait is shared by the recently accused (Elizabeth Proctor, Rebecca Nurse, and Martha Corey?) Draw a conclusion about the girls’ accusations based on this trait.
The three women are all well respected and considered strong Christians. We can conclude that the girls are gaining power and feel more confident accusing more respectable people in Salem.
22. What has Abigail done to set up the accusation against Elizabeth?
Abigail saw Mary Warren making a poppet for Elizabeth and saw Mary stick the needle into the poppet. Abigail then stabs herself and claims Elizabeth is to blame.
23. Marry Warren tells Proctor that Elizabeth will be freed once the judges are “given proper evidence.” Refuse this point based on what “proper evidence” has been in Salem thus far.
24. Do you believe Mary Warren will testify against Abigail? What even reinforces your belief?

6. 23. Marry Warren tells Proctor that Elizabeth will be freed once the judges are “given proper evidence.” Refuse this point based on what “proper evidence” has been in Salem thus far.
The “proper evidence” so far in the court has been the testimony of the girls, particularly Abigail. Because Abigail has a vendetta/grudge against Elizabeth, the “proper evidence” will most likely not set her free.
24. Do you believe Mary Warren will testify against Abigail? What even reinforces your belief?