The atmosphere in Act 2 of The Crucible contrasts with Act 1, as accusations of witchcraft spread fear throughout Salem. When Elizabeth urges Proctor to tell authorities the girls are lying, he hesitates, knowing only he witnessed their deception. Mary Warren hints Elizabeth is in danger. Elizabeth asks Proctor to protect her as her life is threatened. Mr. Hale criticizes Proctor's Christianity, while Proctor criticizes Parris. Proctor ironically forgets the seventh commandment. Elizabeth remains honest despite grave risk. Hale justifies imprisoning suspects, though Miller says actions mean less than character.

1. The Crucible Act 2 Atmosphere : the emotional climate the story. How does the atmosphere at the beginning of Act 2 contrast with the atmosphere in Parris’s household in Act 1? 2. When Elizabeth suggests to Proctor that he go to Salem and tell them that the girls are playacting, he says that it is not easy to prove that Abigail is a fraud because there was no witness other than himself to hear the girl’s statement. Is there any other reason for Proctor’s hesitation to charge the girls with lying? 3. What hint do we get from Mary Warren that Elizabeth is in grave danger? 4. What request does Elizabeth make of here husband because of the danger she sees to herself? 5. When Mr. Hale comes to check on the “Christian character” of Proctor’s house, what is his first criticism of Proctor as a Christian? 6. What criticism does Proctor make of Reverend Parris? 7. Why does is it ironic that Proctor forgets the seventh commandment? 8. Give an example of Elizabeth’s complete honesty, even in the face of grave danger. 9. Mr. Hale justifies the imprisoning of many respectable of Salem by saying “I have seen too many frightful proofs in court—the Devil is alive in Salem, and we dare not quail to follow wherever the accusing finger points” (68). On pages 32-33, Arthur Miller says “When diabolism arises…actions are the least important manifests of the true nature of a man.” What proofs has Mr. Hale seen in court? How would you argue against the validity of the “proofs”? What evidence do the magistrates find that Elizabeth may be a witch? Who has charged her? Proctor says, “Pontius Pilate! God will not let you wash your hands of this!” on page 73. How can Hale be compared with Pontius Pilate? 12. When Proctor says to Hale: “You are a coward. Though you be ordained in God’s own tears, you are a coward now” (74), how does Hale try to justify his stand? 13. What reason has each of the following to fear Abigail: a) Mary Warren b) Proctor 14. In what sense is Proctor being pushed into taking a stand against evil? 15. To avoid total involvement himself, what does Proctor do at this stage, to help his wife?

2. Sociogram Assignment What is it? A literary sociogram is a graphic organizer that represents the relationships among characters in a literary text. What is its purpose? It helps students to think more deeply about the literary texts they read or view. How do I do it? The central character is placed at the centre of the page and the other characters are placed around it. Arrows are used to show the direction of the relationship and a brief, detailed description of the nature of the relationship is placed alongside each arrow. Place the characters who support the main character on one side of a dividing line, and antagonistic characters on the other (goodies vs baddies). Use colour to organize your diagram and make it more interesting to read.

3. John Proctor The Putnams The girls Abigail Mary Warren Tituba Rev. Hale Rev. Parris Elizabeth Proctor Rebecca Nurse Sarah Good Cheevers, Hawthorne, Danforth Giles Corey Martha Corey Francis Nurse