The Crucible Act 2 Analysis

We start the act in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. As the act begins, we meet Reverend Parris who is in prayer in front of his daughter’s bed. His daughter, Betty Parris, is in a coma like state. She is unable to move and is unresponsive. Rumor is going around the village that Betty has fallen victim to witchcraft, which is an act that is penalty of death. To solidify the accusations, Parris sends for Reverend John Hale of Beverly, who specializes in the study of witchcraft. his niece, Abigail enters the scene and is questioned by Parris. He is wary of her and her words because he had discovered that her, Betty, his slave Tituba along with other girls danced in the forest late the night before. Abigail is quick to deny it. She states that Betty had only fainted from the shock of her father finding them instead of the presence of witchcraft. Mr and Mrs. Putnam enter the scene telling Parris that their daughter too has fallen under this state similar to Betty. Mrs. Putnam further explains that she had seven children that each died the day of their birth. Because she was

convinced it was witchcraft, she sent Ruth to Tituba to contact the spirits of her children. This sends Parris to accuse Abigail of lying, as she said they were not involved with witchcraft. Mercy Lewis, The Putnams servant, enters announcing that Ruth is doing better. Abigail and Mercy are left alone. They use the opportunity to update each other on the current situation. The servant of Proctor, Mary Warren, enters in a nervous state. She frighteningly states that they will be labeled witches soon enough. At that moment, Betty suddenly awakens and starts to scream and cry for her mother, who is dead. Abigail reveals that she has told Parris about their activities they did in the forest. Bitty responds by crying out loudly, saying that Abigail didn’t tell Parris about drinking blood to try and kill Proctor’s wife, Elizabeth. Boiled with anger, Abigail smacks Betty across the face and warns the girls that they must only confess the dancing they did and nothing else. Betty quickly resigns back into her unresponsive state.
John Proctor, a farmer enters the room, joining the girls. We get a look into Proctor and his character and uncover that he is not happy with himself as he has had an affair with Abigail. Proctor reminds Mary Warren that he had forbad her from leaving the house and threatens to whip her if she does not leave. Both Mary and Mercy exist the room, leaving Proctor and Abigail alone. Abigail confesses that she still waits for him but Proctor confirms that they had made no promises during their affair. Abigail is angered because she can tell that he still has feelings for her although he denies it. He asserts to her that although they are kind feelings, he does not want the relationship to continue.
A psalm can be heard from the crowd outside.

One phrase uses the word “Jesus”, making Betty cover her ears and collapse into a fit of hysterics. Parris, Mercy and Mr and Mrs Putnam rush into the room. They conclude that Betty must be under the presence of witchcraft as she cannot hear the lord’s name without reacting in a negative way. Reverend Hale finally joins the group with a heavy amount of books. Hale questions Abigail about the dancing and their supposed attempt to summon spirits. Instead of taking the blame for it, she denies it and puts the blame of Tituba. Tituba reasons that they cannot be the ones killing the children as the devil has many other servants. Tituba remembers that she saw people with the devil. Abigail, along with Betty and Tituba end the act with a vicious cycle of calling names onto the list of those with the devil. Hale calls for the marshal to arrest them for

bewitching.