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.
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