The Crucible Act 2 Study Guide

John and Elizabeth's relationship is still strained from his affair with Abigail. Elizabeth's demeanor is "frosty" and "cold" towards John.

She has been named an official of the court. This makes her feel more important than a servant.

Elizabeth reminds him of this; that the girls were just playing around in the woods and no witchcraft was involved.

John worries how he would prove what Abigail said(since they were alone). Also, he is aware of the power she has gained. "If the girl's a saint now, I think it not easy to prove she's a fraud."

He didn't tell Elizabeth that he was alone with Abigail when they talked.

Goody Osburn will hang and Goody Good confessed.

She embraces her new "authority" and demands John's and Elizabeth's respect because she is an "official of the court."

Abigail has accused Elizabeth of witchcraft, but Mary claims that she has never seen any indication of it. Because of her claim, the court dismisses the accusation.

That Abigail wants her dead so she can have John.

She wants John to go to Salem and tell the court what Abigail had said to him about the incident in the woods.

Hale visits the Proctors to test the Christian character of the home. He is investigating the stories and rumors heard in the court. Earlier, he was at the Rebecca Nurse's house. Hale is the investigator trying to find the truth.

He claims that his wife has been sick, that he doesn't agree with Parris on theological matters ("I see no light of God in that man."), and he thinks Parris is too concerned with material possessions.

He tells him to (recite) say the Ten Commandments.

While reciting the Ten Commandments, he forgets the one sin we know he is guilty of - adultery. Since this is always on her mind, Elizabeth reminds him of it.

Mr. Parris discovered them "sportin" in the woods. They were startled and look sick."

Hale thinks John should testify in court.

"I am a good woman, I know it; and if you believe I may do only good work in the world, and yet be secretly bound to Satan, then I must tell you, sir, I do not believe it."

Giles says that his wife, Martha, and Rebecca Nurse have been taken to jail.

"For the marvelous and supernatural murder of Goody Putnam's babies."

Walcott(a neighbor) claims that Martha has bewitched his pigs (thus killing them) with her books.

They have a warrant to arrest Elizabeth.

Earlier, Abigail had a fit and Parris pulled a needle out of her midsection. Cheever believes the poppet(small doll) with a needle in it is proof that Elizabeth performed witchcraft on Abigail and caused her injury.

He wants her to explain to the court that she made the poppet(small doll), not Elizabeth.

She says that Abigail will kill her.

Mary tells John that if he testifies against her, she will "charge lechery" and ruin him.

He tells Mary that they will both testify in court against Abigail. Although it will ruin him, he can't allow Elizabeth to die.