Name:

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The Crucible
Act II Study Guide
Please define the following words. Be sure you are looking at the definition
for the correct part of speech, as listed in parentheses after the word. There
will be vocabulary quiz questions on your Act II quiz on Thursday (10/17).
1. Reprimand (verb): to scold in a formal way; to discipline formally
2. Indignant (adjective): feeling or showing anger at what is perceived to
be unfair treatment; resentful; annoyed; irritated
3. Magistrate (noun): a civil official with the authority to enforce the law
4. Poppet (noun): a small, hand sewn doll
5. Crone (noun): an old woman
6. Concede (verb): to grant or yield a right or privilege; to give in
unwillingly
7. Ordained (adjective): appointed to a position of power in religious life;
having taken religious orders
8. Falter (verb): to hesitate
9. Blasphemy (noun): a profane statement, usually against God or religion
10.

Base (adjective): having low moral standards

11.

Calamity (noun): a disaster

12.

Lechery (noun): lustfulness; unrestrained indulgence of sexual

desires
13.

Draught (noun): a long drink, usually of an alcoholic beverage

14.

Basin (noun): an open, shallow round container used for holding

liquid

15.

Hypocrisy (noun): the practice of CLAIMING to have high moral

standards or beliefs but not conforming or following those standards in

behavior; pretense
Reading questionsanswer the following questions while you read to keep
you involved in the text and to help you remember important characters and
actions.
16.
From the beginning of Act II, what can you tell about the
relationship between John and Elizabeth Proctor?
It is cold and awkwardthey are trying to work through their relationship
since the affair, but things are still very strained.
17.
How does the audience learn what is happening in the town since
the end of Act I?
Elizabeth tells John what Mary has told her14 people have been jailed as
suspected witches since last week, and Mary is now an official witness for
the court. The judges, from Boston, have promised that anyone found guilty
who wont confess will be hanged.
18.
What do John and Elizabeth know about the court proceedings
and the truth behind the witchcraft?
John told Elizabeth what Abigail told him in act onethat what was going on
with Betty and Ruth had nothing to do with witchcraft. It was just fooling
around.
19.
What does John say is keeping him from telling the court what he
knows? What do you think is the real reason?
John says it is because Abigail told it to him alone and he has no proof or
witness to support him. Elizabeth (and me) think its because he still cares
for Abby and doesnt want to get her in trouble.
20.
I?

How does Mary Warren behave differently from her actions in Act

Mary Warren seemed scared and weak in Act I when she tried to get Abby
and Mercy to confess to dancing and conjuring. She now seems to think
shes pretty important; Im an official of the court (196).
21.

How does John Proctor treat Mary Warren?

He has little patience for her and still treats her like a servant.

22.
Do you think that Mary Warren believes she and the other girls
are bewitched? Cite lines from the play to support your opinion.
Yes, Mary does believe that the girls (and she) were bewitched.
23.
How does Mary save herself from whipping?
She tells the proctors that she saved elizabeths life today when her name
was mentioned in courtmary says she stood up for elizabeth
24.
Abigail

Who does Elizabeth assume accused her of witchcraft?

25.
Why does Elizabeth want John to go see Abigail? What does she
mean when she says, You have a faulty understanding of young girls.
There is a promise made in any bedSpoken or silent a promise is
surely made. And she may dote on it now
Elizabeth thinks that Abigail believes John is in love with her and Elizabeth is
the only thing keeping them apart. Elizabeth tries to explain to John that
girls view sex as an act of love, and even though proctor feels it was only
sex, Abigail thinks he is in love with her. Elizabeth wants John to go to
Abigail and make it clear that he doesnt love her and they will never be
together
26.
When Reverend Hale visits, what three things seem to go against
John and Elizabeth that make Hale doubt their Christian character?
Their absences from church
Their third baby isnt baptized
John forgets one of the 10 commandments
27.
What are the Proctors feelings about the existence of witches in
general? What does John say? What does Elizabeth say?
John says he doesnt believe there are witches in Salem, but he does believe
in witches because the bible says so.
Elizabeth says she doesnt believe in witches, mostly because she knows she
isnt one and if someone is going to accuse her, then she says there are no
witches
28.
What test of faith does Hale give to John Proctor? How does John
fare?
He makes Proctor recite the 10 commandments. Proctor forgets thou shall
not commit adultery.
Proctor tries to laugh it off, since Elizabeth answers for him, but Hale isnt
convinced.

29.
What crime has Rebecca Nurse been charged with?
For the supernatural murder of the Putnams children
30.
What proof is there that Martha Corey is a witch?
She reads strange booksAND
Walcott cant keep pigs alive since she sold him a pig...SO
Walcott claims she bewitched him with her books.
31.
What connection is there between the poppet given to Elizabeth
by Mary Warren and Elizabeths arrest?
Abigail was stabbed in the stomach with a needle. She claims Elizabeths
spirit pushed the needle into her. The poppet is supposed to be a voodoo
doll used by Elizabeth.
32.

Explain the following quotations, spoken by Proctor:

a. Is the accuser always holy now?

Why dont we look at the people accusing others and wonder what their
motive is for accusing?
b. Ill tell you whats walking Salemvengeance is walking Salem.
Proctor says revenge is motivating the accusers
c. We are what we always were, but naked now.
We are the same people we have always been, but now all our secrets are
going to come out. He says this because he knows that he will have to
reveal the affair to the court in order to demonstrate that Abigails
accusation is motivated by revenge.
33.
What does Mary claim will happen if she supports Proctor in
court?
She says the girls will turn on her and accuse her of witchcraft.