THE CRUCIBLE ACT II
OVERVIEW OF ACT II, Part 2 (pp55-81)
After the conversation between John and Elizabeth that opens Act II, Mary Warren returns home,
and then Mr. Hale visits the Proctors. When Mary Warren arrives home, she tells the Proctors
that many people have been accused of witchcraft and that one woman has been sentenced to die.
Mr. Hale wants to learn about the Proctors since Elizabeth name has come up in court.
Content Vocabulary: grasp, dynamic, reprimand, and suspicion
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1.
Limp means ―not firm or strong‖
2. Comprehension Check: proceedings means
a.
the actions at the court in Salem
b. the dancing outside that the girls enjoy
3. Comprehension Check: when Mary declares that
her insides are all shuddery, she means
responsible
a.
She probably feels bad that she was partially
b. She was shaking for the cold
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4. Mary Warren probably made a very simple doll for Elizabeth. A poppet is a doll made
from cloth.
5.
you?‖
What ails you means ―what is wrong with
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6. To jabber means “to talk.” A jabberer is
someone who talks a lot.
7. Comprehension Check: describe Goody
Osburn …
a. She is a poor, old, homeless woman
who, like Tituba, is vulnerable
b. She is a vicious liar who tries to get
everybody in trouble
8. Reflect with a partner
a. What interaction have Mary Warren and Goody Osburn had?
b. Thinking about that interaction, what is Mary Warren probably actually feeling
as Goody Osburn testifies and why?
THE CRUCIBLE ACT II
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9. Comprehension Check: the judge asks Goody Osburn to recite the 10 Commandments
so that
a.
She can prove herself innocent
b. He can know whether she is lying or telling the truth
10. Make a Connection & Reflect with a partner: in our criminal justice system,
defendants (those who are accused of committing a crime) are not required to prove their
innocence. For example, they do not have to testify if they do not want to. Instead, it is the
job of the prosecution to prove that the defendant is guilty. Does Goody Osburn’s inability
to recite the 10 Commandments prove that she is a witch? Explain Proctor’s outburst,
―But the proof, the proof!‖
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11. When Mary Warren declares that Goody Good will not be punished because she is
pregnant, Elizabeth reacts with incredulity (disbelief). Do you think Goody Good is
pregnant or not? Justify your answer, explain why Miller adds this detail whether you
believe that she is pregnant or not.
12. A mantel, also called a mantelpiece, is a shelf above a fireplace, usually part of a frame
which surrounds the fireplace. He strides to the mantel, means:
a.
He walks very slowly to the mantel
b. He gets to the mantel as fast as he can
13. Erect here means upright with good posture. The
opposite would be bent over, hunched over. Why does Miller
describe Mary as ―erect‖?
14. Study Question 6: As he is about to whip Mary
Warren, John stops short. What did she tell him? [Answer all
on study guide.]
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15. When Mary Warren says to Proctor, ―I only hope you’ll not be so sarcastical no more,‖
what is she saying to Proctor; what is she demanding of him?
16. Without conviction means he does not really believe what he himself is saying
17. Study Question 7: Who does Elizabeth think called out her name and why?
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18. Study Question 8: What does Elizabeth want John to do now?
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19. Begrudge me not my anger means I have the right to be upset (angry).
20. Base means ―morally low; dishonorable‖
THE CRUCIBLE ACT II
21. A stallion is a male horse; a mare is a female horse. Comprehension Check: when
Proctor says, ―The promise that a stallion gives a mare I gave that girl!‖ he means:
a.
Just as a male horse cannot talk to a female horse, I did not promise her anything
b. Just as a male horse only has sexual intercourse with a female horse, I only had
sex with Abigail; I did not promise her anything else.
22. Study Question 9: Why is John reluctant to do what Elizabeth asks of him?
23. Of Mr. Hale, Miller writes, ―He is different now –drawn a little, and there is a quality of
deference, even of guilt, about his manner now.‖ What kind of character do these
statements paint Hale as?
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24. Pious means ―having a sincere reverence for God.‖
25. Study Question 10: Why has the Reverend Hale come to the Proctors’ house?
26. Study Question 11: SKIP; DO NOT ANSWER.
27. Comprehension Check: basing your answer solely on context clues (without looking
up the word), what does wily mean
a.
smart, tricky, hard to get
b. mean, evil, determined to win souls (victims)
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28. Pewter is an alloy, or a substance composed of two or more metals or of a metal and a
nonmetal. Tin is the main metal in pewter, and it is often mixed with lead, an inexpensive
metal.
29. What reason does Proctor offer for having missed so much church?
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30. The man’s ordained means He was officially made a priest in a religious ceremony.
31. It may be that I have been too quick to bring the man to book means I may
have judged him too quickly.
32. There is a softness in your record means You do not seem to be as faithful to the
Church as you can be.
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33. These 10 Commandments come from the Christian Bible. The Hebrews believed that
these laws given to the Hebrews by their God. The Puritans also used the 10
Commandments. To covet means to want badly what someone else has
34. Nor make any graven image means You shall not make a false god (idol)
35. Misgivings means a feeling of doubt, distrust, or anxiety
THE CRUCIBLE ACT II
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36. Naught means nothing. So, ―I know the children’s sickness had naught to do with
witchcraft‖ means ―I know the children’s sickness had nothing to do with witchcraft.‖
37. Daft means without sense or reason; crazy, silly
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38. Do you falter means Do you hesitate?
39. Proctor’s speech is difficult. Proctor says, ―I do not hesitate, but I wonder whether
my story will be believed (credited) in such a court. It amazes me (wonder) that such a
level-minded minister as yourself would suspect (suspicion) a woman that has never lied
and that cannot lie and that the world knows cannot lie. I am somewhat hesitant, Mister,
because I am no fool‖
40. Study Question 12: As proof of witchcraft, Reverend Hale points out that a number of
people have already confessed to being witches. What is Proctor’s response?
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41. Bewilder means confuse.
42. Upright means pious, religious, correct
43. You surely do not fly against the Gospel means You surely do not go against
(oppose) the Bible.
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44. I’m sure he mistakes these people means I am sure he has made a mistake when
issuing arrest warrants for these people (especially Rebecca Nurse and Martha Corey)
45. Comprehension Check: When Francis asserts ―My wife is the very brick and mortar of
the church,‖ he means
46. Marvelous here means perplexing, confusing, worrying, suspicious, etc.
47. Comprehension Check: When Mr. Hale says, ―Believe me, Mr. Nurse, if Rebecca
Nurse be tainted, then nothing’s left to stop the whole green world from burning,‖ he
means
48. Hale’s speech is difficult. He says, ―Nurse, we must be strong even if it is hard for us.
There are new times, sir. Something we do not understand is going on here. What is going
on is so tricky that we cannot rely on people as we used to know them. I have seen proof
in court that the devil is in Salem. Because the devil can attack anybody we cannot be
respectful of anybody. We must follow the trail of proof.‖ Subtle means not open, direct,
or obvious; crafty; sly.
49. Man, remember, until an hour before the Devil fell, God thought him
beautiful in Heaven. According to the Bible, the devil was heaven’s highest angel
before he was driven out because of his excessive pride.
THE CRUCIBLE ACT II
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50. Why does Giles believe his wife was taken?
51. Why is Herrick shamefaced?
52. I’d as lief that means I would prefer that …
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53. Cheever, embarrassed, glancing toward the mantel where sits Mary
Warren’s poppet. What kind of irony is in this stage direction?
54. Comprehension Check: What signifies a poppet means
a.
What is a poppet?
b. What is the importance of a poppet; why are you asking about a poppet?
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55. Comprehension Check: Why, this go hard with her means
a.
The judges will treat your wife hard because of this evidence
b. This evidence will be hard to explain
56. A calamity is an event that brings danger and damage, such as a natural disaster.
57. Study Question 13: Who stuck the pin in Abigail’s belly and why?
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58. I never warranted to see such proof of Hell, and I bid you obstruct me not
means I never expected to see such proof of the devil’s work and I ask you not to get in my
way (as I do my job)
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59. How does Hale’s response to Mary’s statement that she put the needle in the doll
(poppet) show his eagerness to believe in witchcraft?
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60. Reflect in your journal: Proctor has a very important speech. Write 5-6 sentences
explaining Proctor’s meaning (what exactly is on his mind) when he declares, ―I’ll tell you
what’s walking Salem—vengeance is walking Salem. We are what we always were in
Salem, but now the little crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom, and
common vengeance writes the law! This warrant’s vengeance! I’ll not give my wife to
vengeance!‖
61. Pontius Pilate … According to the Christian Bible, the Roman official Pontius Pilate
consented to the crucifixion of Jesus despite the lack of formal charges or evidence. Pilate
then washed his hands and declared himself innocent of shedding Jesus’ blood.
Connect: what is Proctor saying to Hale?
THE CRUCIBLE ACT II
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62. A fraud is someone or something that deceives people by saying that they are
someone or something that they are not. Example: She was a psychic who was
later revealed to be a fraud.
63. Giles’s comment to Hale emphasizes the doubts that Hale is having about the trials.
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64. Hale’s speech is hard but I believe you can make sense of it with a little help. Cause
proportionate means an appropriate (reasonable) cause or reason for the problem. An
abomination is something that is displeasing to God or to someone. Blasphemy is
disrespect (in actions or words) to God. Think on cause means Think about or try to
figure out what is making this all happen. Let you help me to discover it means Help
me figure out what is making this all happen.
65. Study Question 14: To what does Hale attribute the calamity (bad event) that has
befallen (happened to) Salem?
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66. Study Question 15: what does this [Hale’s talk of a cause or reason] mean to Proctor?
67. Menacingly means threateningly
68. Lechery here means sexual abuse
69. Why is Mary Warren afraid of going to court to testify against (denounce) Abigail? Study
Question 16: what will Abigail do if Proctor goes into court to denounce (expose) her,
according to Mary Warren?
70. Study Question 17: how does Proctor respond to Mary Warren’s statement about what
Abigail will do?