Home :

:

 

 

___________________________

 

 

STUDYWORLD STUDYNOTES

The Crucible

Act Two Summary:

Act two begins eight days after the discussion at Parris’ house. Between act one and act two, Deputy Governor Dansforth came to Salem to oversee the court proceedings. Fourteen people have been arrested for witchcraft, and there is talk of hanging. Elizabeth Proctor asks John to go to the court and testify against Abigail and the other girls. John doesn’t want to get involved. There is tension between Elizabeth and John since Elizabeth has not forgiven John for the affair.

Marry Warren enters. She was in court testifying against the townspeople. She gives Elizabeth a doll which she has made in court. In the middle of their discussion, Hale enters to question John and Elizabeth, suspicious of witchcraft.

Later, Giles Corey and Francis Nurse enter to seek advice after both their wives had been arrested. Next, the marshal arrives with a warrant for Elizabeth’s arrest. Elizabeth was accused by Abigail for stabbing Abigail with a needle through a doll. John Proctor protests but Elizabeth is taken away in chains. Proctor demands that Mary should go to court and testify against the girls. He vows that he will fight the proceedings, even if it means confessing his own adultery.

Review:

Act II presents the Proctor household and the tension that exists between John and his wife Elizabeth. John doesn't seem to be able to act rationally as he is ridden with guilt over his affair with Abigail. This tension has caused Mary, their household servant, to lose her servile attitude towards John and his wife and she attend the trials even though she was told no to go town.

Reverend Hale at first believes the girls' accusations but eventually sees the evil in the court. This happens especially after Elizabeth is accused of being a witch and taken into custody.