The CrucibleAct II and III Questions

Act II Questions

1. How much time has passed since Act I?

8 Days

2. What duty has Mary Warren been performing in Salem?

She is an official of the court

3. What does Elizabeth want Proctor to tell Ezekiel Cheever? Why does Proctor

hesitate? How does Elizabeth react to his explanation?

Abigail told him it wasn’t witchcraft but the girls having

fun.He was the only witness that

heard Abigail say this.She was upset he lied about

being alone with Abigail.

4. What gift does Mary give Elizabeth? According to Mary, who has been sentenced

to hang?

A Poppet

Goody Osburn

5. What ominous revelation does Mary Warren make about Elizabeth’s reputation? How does this disclosure make the quarrel

between Elizabeth and John even more heated?

Her name was mentioned by Abigail in court, but Mary said she wasn’t a witch.

Elizabeth tells John Abigail means to take her place with John, so she thinks John

needs to tell about the affair.

6. What four questions does Hale ask the Proctors? How do they respond to each?

Why are they rarely in church?Elizabeth has been sick.

Why are only two of their children baptized?John doesn’t want Parris to touch his child.

Do you know your commandments?John can say them all except do not commit

adultery. Elizabeth had to say that one for him.Do you believe in witchcraft?

John- Yes, Elizabeth- No

7. What does Proctor tell Hale about Abigail?

Abigail told him witchcraft had nothing to do with the

children’s illness.

8. What are the charges against Rebecca Nurse and Martha Corey?

Rebecca Nurse is charged for supernatural murder of

the Putnam babies.Martha Corey is charged for bewitching Walcott’s pigs to

death.

9. What evidence does Cheever find against Elizabeth? What story has Abigail told

about Elizabeth?A needle in the belly of the

poppet in the same spot where Abigail had been

stabbed.Abigail said Elizabeth’s spirit visited her and

stabbed her in the stomach with a needle.

10. What does Proctor mean when he says, “Pontius Pilate! God will not let you wash

your hands of this!”?

He means Hale is allowing his innocent wife to be

condemned to death the way Pontius Pilate

condemned Christ to death.

11. How does Hale explain the events in Salem on page 37? How has his character changed

since Act I?

He thinks there must be some secret hidden sin that

causes God’s wrath with the town.

He is no longer certain this is witchcraft.

12. What does Proctor plan to do at the end of the Act? What conflict does he face?

He wants Mary Warren to tell the court Abigail saw

her stick the needle in the poppet when she made it.He is afraid he will need to

tell about the affair.

Act III Questions

1. What is Mary Warren prepared to tell the court?

She never saw spirits. It was all pretending.

2. What 2 facts about Proctor does Cheever reveal?

He ripped up the warrant and damned the court.He plows on Sunday.

3. What compromise does Danforth offer Proctor? How does Proctor respond?

He offers to let Elizabeth live a year to birth the child she says she carries if John

will drop his charges.John says he can’t drop the charges because he needs

to help his friends.

4. What does Frances Nurse present to the court? How does Danforth respond?

He presents a petition signed by 91 people who say the women are not

witches.Danforth has all 91 people arrested for questioning.

5. What does Giles Corey allege about Putnam in his deposition?

Putnam is testifying against people to kill them for their

land.

6. How does Abigail threaten Danforth?

She implies Danforth could easily be accused of

witchcraft.

7. What confession does Proctor make? How does Danforth test his confession?

He had an affair with Abigail.

Danforth questions Elizabeth who makes the mistake of lying to save

John’s reputation.

8. What happens to Proctor at the end of the act? How does Hale show his disapproval?

He is arrested for saying “God is dead!”

He denounces the proceedings and quits the

court.

9. Give an example of the court’s faulty logic or perversion of justice in Act 3.

Danforth arrests people just for signing a petition.

Danforth calls the court in session just so he can arrest Giles Corey for

contempt of court for not giving up the name of his

witness.

10. How is Proctor’s confession and outburst at the end of the act ironic?

All who were supposed to be protecting the supposed

innocent girls in these proceedings are the ones who will burn in Hell for

condemning to death the truly innocent ones accused

by the girls.

11. How are Mary Warren, Proctor, Giles, and Hale examples of courage?

They each dare to tell the truth even though it could cause them more

trouble.Mary Warren- braves the wrath of the

girls to say they are lyingProctor- admits his affair in court

Giles- accuses the powerful Putnam of killing for land

Hale- quits the court to show his disapproval.