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Act 2 • Setting: • Proctor’s house, eight days later. Elizabeth is heard softly singing to the children. John Proctor enters D.R., carrying his gun, and leans it against a bench. Crosses to the wash stand, pours water into it from pitcher. As he is washing, Elizabeth’s footsteps are heard. Elizabeth enters
Act 2 • Proctor arrives home late. Elizabeth said she thought he had gone to Salem since he had been gone so long. • Proctor denies traveling to Salem. • Since Scene 1, 14 people have been placed in jail accused of witchcraft and the girls have been given authority in the courts. • Elizabeth attempts to convince John to report to the court what Abigail told him about them simply playing at witchcraft
Act 2 • John’s confession that he was alone in a room with Abigail leads to an argument between the two, emanating from John’s affair. • John is tired of Elizabeth’s suspicions, “You forget nothin’ and you forgive nothin.” while Elizabeth is tired of having to constantly worry about John’s actions, “If it were not Abigail that you go to hurt would you falter now? I think not.” • Mary Warren enters sick from the trials. She has sewed a “poppet” for Elizabeth. She reports that the number of arrested has gone from 14 to 39.
Act 2 • Mary Warren retells the case of Goody Good and the evidence they have against her. The evidence amounts to little more than her mumblings and claiming she “recites her commandments.” • Proctor responds with “But the proof. The proof.” • In addition, Mary Warren reveals that Elizabeth has been mentioned in connection with the witches. “I saved her life today.”
Act 2 • Elizabeth realizes that Abigail means to take her place- “She means to take my place.” • Elizabeth begs Proctor to break his ties with Abigail, “There is a promise made in any bed.” Highlighting an emotional tie. • Proctor responds by saying I gave that woman the promise “ a stallion gives a mare.” Proctor believes it was purely physical. • “She has an arrow in yet John Proctor and you know it.” • Can a physical relationship exist without an emotional attachment?
Act 2 • Hale visits the Proctor to examine the Christian character of the household. “I am a stranger here, and in my ignorance I find it hard to form a clear opinion of them that come accused before the court.” • Hale also reveals that Rebecca Nurse, the spiritual center of the village, is also accused. • Hale criticizes Proctor for rarely coming to church and not having all of his kids baptized. • Proctor responds by criticizing Parris’s pride in the golden candlesticks, and his belief that there is no godliness in that man. • The test becomes if he can say his Ten Commandments • Proctor is able to recite them all except the one for Adultery
Act 2 • Proctor confesses that he knows Abigail is lying • Hale is disturbed how so many could have confessed if she is lying. • Proctor claims that people will confess to anything to avoid being hanged. • Proctor also questions how he could possibly be taken seriously when the town minister doubts every upright person in the village and uplifts Abigail.
Act 2 • The second test of their belief whether or not the believe in witches • Proctor claims that he does not believe there are witches among them now, but he knows the Bible mentions them so it must true. • Elizabeth claims that she does not believe in witches if one could possibly say she is one.
Act 2 • “Is the accuser always holy now?... common vengeance writes the law… We are what we always were but naked now. ”- Proctor • “Man we must look to cause proportionate.” –Hale- Hale suggests they look to “secret” crimes that have yet to be revealed as to why this vengeance has descended on them. • Mary tells John that Abigail will charge him with “lechery,” meaning that John is dead either way.
Importance of Title • Crucible: is a container that can withstand high temperature to melt the impurities out of metal. • Its metaphorical meaning is a severe test in which the participants’ weaknesses are exposed.
