The Crucible Act Two

Act Two begins with an eerie foreshadowing scene. An innocent rabbit wandered into the Proctor household and was killed by Elizabeth for super, much like the innocent people in Salem who will soon be hanged for "being witches". It is also a disheartening scene because it highlights John and Elizabeth's marriage troubles. John Proctor secretly seasons the stew and while this is not a severe sinful act, like his affair, he is nonetheless going behind his wife's back again. 

Abigail, Betty, and Mary Warren are quickly rising to power. Even though they are essentially the lowest status on the social ladder, since they are young unmarried girls, the townspeople overwhelmingly believe their claims. Realizing that fear is a very controlling emotion, the young girls take advantage of this and then begin to let their newfound power get to their head. Mary Warren, for example, defies John Proctors authority after her day at court. She believes she can do as she pleases since she is  an "official of the court". She tells the Proctors that she will be at court every day, she will "not stand whipping any more", and that she will "not be ordered to bed no more" (Miller 57). During the first court meeting, Mary Warren saved Elizabeth's life by saying she does not suspect that Elizabeth is a witch. Mary Warren does, however, hold this power over the Proctors and they understand that she could change her mind quickly, so they must submit to her.  

It is interesting to note that the only commandment John could not remember is the commandment that states "thou shalt not commit adultery". Much like he "forgot" it when he had an affair with Abigail. This brings into question his faith and perhaps suggests that the devil has had an influence on him. 

Elizabeth believes Abigail wants to be with John and that she will go to any lengths to attain this, even kill Elizabeth. To ensure that she is found guilty for being a witch, Elizabeth asks that John speaks to Abigail to clarify that he will never be with her again. I admire Elizabeth's mature handling of the situation. She seems to be the voice of reason for the majority of this act. In between John's outbursts she stays calm and tries to reason with him and even though John slept with another woman, she is not excessively bitter about it. Elizabeth is understanding and realizes that his guilt is eating away at him. Compassionately she tells him, "I do not judge you. The magistrate sits in your heart that judges you. I never thought you but a good man, John- only somewhat bewildered (Miller 52). Elizabeth points out that John is judging himself more than anyone else. His guilt over his act of adultery begins to eat away at him and leads to a dilemma. The big question is, will he maintain his good reputation and stay quiet or admit his sin in order to expose Abigail and save his wife?