Question

act two

1. where does elizabeth want john to go, and what does she want him to do there?
2. what is johns response to her prodding?
3. what gift did mary give elizabeth?
4. what was the \evidence\ against sarah good?
5. why doesnt proctor want mary to go back to court?
6. why does elizabeth think abigail wants to kill her?
7. why did hale come to proctors house?
8. what things are \suspicious\ about proctor and his family?
9. hale asks elizabeth if she believes in witches. what is her reply?
10. on what charge(s) was rebecca nurse arrested?
11. why does cheever come to the proctor house?
12. explain the significance of the needle in the \poppet.\
13. what will happen to proctor if he tries to discredit abby?
14. why doesnt mary want to testify about the doll?

Explanation:

These questions refer to Arthur Miller's The Crucible (Act Two). Answers are based on key plot details and character motivations from the act:

1. Elizabeth wants John to go to Salem to tell the court that Abigail Williams told him the girls' "afflictions" are not caused by witchcraft.
2. John is hesitant, defensive, and argues he cannot prove Abigail's private confession, so he delays acting.
3. Mary gave Elizabeth a small cloth doll (called a "poppet").
4. The "evidence" against Sarah Good is that she mumbled a prayer that the court interpreted as a curse, and she could not recite the Ten Commandments correctly.
5. Proctor fears that if Mary testifies, Abigail will reveal their past affair, ruining his reputation and credibility.
6. Elizabeth knows Abigail wants her dead so Abigail can take her place as John's wife, as Abigail has already shown jealousy and malice.
7. Hale comes to the Proctor house to question them about their religious devotion, as rumors of witchcraft have spread to their household.
8. Suspicious details include: John rarely attends church, he cannot recite all ten of the Ten Commandments, and their third son is not baptized.
9. Elizabeth initially says she does not believe in witches, then corrects herself to say she cannot believe in witches if the court is condemning innocent people.
10. Rebecca Nurse is arrested for the "supernatural murder" of Ann Putnam's seven infant children.
11. Cheever comes to arrest Elizabeth, as Abigail has accused her of sending a spirit to stab her with a needle, and the poppet with a needle in it is used as evidence.
12. The needle in the poppet is planted by Abigail (with Mary's unknowing help) to frame Elizabeth: Abigail stabs herself with a needle and claims Elizabeth used the poppet to curse her, linking the doll to witchcraft.
13. Abigail will accuse John of adultery, destroying his reputation and making the court dismiss his attempt to discredit her.
14. Mary is terrified of Abigail and the other girls, who have threatened to turn on her and accuse her of witchcraft if she testifies against them.

Answer:

1. She wants him to go to Salem to tell the court Abigail admitted the girls' "afflictions" are not witchcraft.
2. He is hesitant, defensive, and delays acting, claiming he can't prove Abigail's private confession.
3. A small cloth doll (poppet).
4. She mumbled what was deemed a curse and failed to recite the Ten Commandments.
5. He fears Abigail will expose their past affair, ruining his reputation.
6. She knows Abigail wants to replace her as John's wife.
7. To question the Proctors about their religious devotion amid witchcraft rumors.
8. John rarely attends church, can't recite all Ten Commandments, and their third son is unbaptized.
9. She first says she does not believe in witches, then clarifies she can't believe in them if innocent people are condemned.
10. The supernatural murder of Ann Putnam's seven infant children.
11. To arrest Elizabeth, as Abigail accused her of using a poppet to curse her.
12. The needle is planted evidence: Abigail stabs herself, then claims Elizabeth used the poppet to attack her, framing Elizabeth for witchcraft.
13. Abigail will accuse him of adultery, destroying his credibility.
14. She is terrified Abigail and the other girls will accuse her of witchcraft in retaliation.