Objective:
Students will be able to read
the beginning of Act II for understanding?
Aim: How does act II
begin?
Get Ready
Below is a painting of the Salem Witch Trials. Look
Analysis Steps
• Step 1: Write down below what you see without making any interpretation about what the picture is trying to say.
I SEE…
• Step 2: What questions do you have about this picture that you would need answered before you can begin to interpret it? (Ask as many questions as you have.)
I want to know... I was wondering... Who?...
What?... Where?... When?... Why?...
Vocabulary
• Fraud (p. 53) – (noun) wrongful criminal
deception intended to result in personal gain
– Albert took the SAT’s for Paul. Albert is a fraud.
• Ameliorate (p. 56) – (verb) make something
better
– Studying hard and trying one’s best will ameliorate
a low GPA.
• Noose (p. 60) – (noun) a loop with a tightening
knot used to hang people
Act 1 Summary
• The Crucible takes place in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692.
• Salem is ruled by a theocracy.
• Revered Parris’ daughter, Betty, becomes afflicted with an illness.
• Rumors of witchcraft are running through Salem about Betty because her sickness is unknown
• Abigail, Parris' niece, Betty and a group of girls were seen dancing in the woods by Reverend Parris.
• Betty has been sick since then.
• Mrs. Putnam is introduced. She gave birth to eight children and seven of them died as babies
• Abigail and John Proctor had an affair
• Tituba was accused of getting Betty and the other girls sick and was given the choice to confess her relations with the devil, or she will be killed.
• Parris felt like he was being persecuted everywhere he went.
• John Proctor was not easily led or persuaded by the foolishness happening in the town
Reading Guide (Pages 32 – 48) Questions
5. Why do you think Abigail accuses Tituba of
witchcraft? Do you think she was pressured into the accusations?
Abigail accused Tituba of witchcraft because Reverend Hale and Revered Parris were accusing her of
conjuring up the devil. She felt pressured to give a name that is not her own.
Reading Guide (Pages 32 – 48) Questions
5. Why do you think Abigail accuses Tituba of
witchcraft? Do you think she was pressured into the accusations?
Abigail accused Tituba of witchcraft because Reverend Hale and Revered Parris were accusing her of
conjuring up the devil. She felt pressured to give a name that is not her own.
6. Why do you think Tituba says the Devil wanted her to kill Revered Parris? What hidden emotions does it show?
Tituba says the Devil wanted her to kill Reverend Parris because she had already confessed to
witchcraft, and was in a state of hysteria and panic.
1. Reverend Hale says, “The Devil is out and preying on her like a beast upon the flesh of a pure lamb (47).” This is an example of what literary device?
Explain its meaning.
This is an example of a simile. It compares the
1.
Elizabeth Proctor
claims that
Mary Warren
“
is a mouse no more
” (52). What is she saying?
What has changed in
Mary Warren
’s social
standing since the trials? Why?
• Elizabeth is saying that Mary is no longer quiet
2. What is the meaning of
John Proctor
saying to
Elizabeth
, “
your justice would freeze beer
” (55)?
The author is using a colorful figure language to express John Proctor's belief that his wife Elizabeth's practice of justice is cold and
3. How many people are accused of witchcraft at this point? What will happen to the accused if they don’t confess?
4. What is the central conflict that John Proctor faces? Why won’t he try to stop Abigail’s witch-hunt?
• John Proctor faces a man vs. self conflict. He
knew that having affair with Abigail was
wrong, but he couldn’t help himself. Stopping the witch-hunt would cause him internal
5. How did Mary Warren save Elizabeth Proctor’s life?
• Mary Warren saves Elizabeth’s life by saying in court that she never saw any sign of her ever trying to conjure up spirits.
• “But I said I never see no sign you ever sent your spirit out to hurt no one, and seeing I do love so closely with you, they dismissed it.”
6. In your opinion, why did Abigail accuse
Elizabeth Proctor of witchcraft?
• Abigail accused Elizabeth Proctor of witchcraft
because she wanted her to die and take her place as John Proctor’s husband.
Elizabeth:…She’d dare not call out such a
