The Crucible Act 2Reputations and Hearsay
Changing Character Motivations…or
is it? Use the following statements to prove or disprove a
change in motivation.

Proctor-”I-I think I cannot. These are my friends. Their wives are also accused.”

Parris-”Beware this man, Your Excellency, this man is mischief.”

Hale-”Is every defense an attack on the court?”

Danforth- “If I should tell you now that I will let her be kept another month, and if she
begin to show her natural signs, you shall have her living yet another year-what say
you to that?”
A Power Struggle
In Act 1, we discussed the importance of ________being what
dictates your social ranking in the town. How has this changed in
Act 2?
We have three very highly esteemed men that are pleading for
their wives, why are they not being heard as they would have been
just a few months before?
Where has the power gone?
How do we see/know this?
The Importance of the Court
Danforth states, “…But you must understand, sir, that
a person is either with this court, or he must be
counted against it, there be no road between.
Why is this so essential in understanding where this
court is headed?
Why is there no room for doubt in these proceedings?
What would that mean for the people involved?
Hearsay and Heresy in
Act 2
Look
up the definitions of
both of these words and
explain how they are both
occurring currently in Act 2.
Ironic Court Proceedings
Why are the following statements ironic?
Hathorne- “How do you know, then, that you are not a witch?”
Danforth-”The pure in heart need no lawyers, proceed as you will.”
Parris-”All innocent and Christian people are happy for the courts in
Salem!”
Danforth- “No, no I accept no depositions…”