Characterisation of John Proctor in Act Two
Textual Evidence
Key Questions
Elizabeth to Proctor: “Let you go to Ezekiel Cheever- he knows
you well. And tell him what she said to you last week in her
uncle’s house. She said it had naught to do with witchcraft, did
she not?” (page 44).
Why does Elizabeth want John to go to the court? How does John feel about this
request? Why does he feel this way? What dilemma is he faced with?
Proctor to Elizabeth: “I am only wondering how I may prove what
she told me, Elizabeth. If the girl’s a saint now, I think it is not
easy to prove she’s a fraud, and the town gone so silly. She told
me it in a room alone-I have no proof for it” (page 44).
Hale to Proctor: “I thought, sir, to put some questions as to the
Christian character of this house, if you’ll permit me”
Proctor to Hale: “(coldly, resentfully) Why, we- have no fear of
questions, sir” (page 53).
Why is John resentful of Hale’s questioning? What might he be worried about at this
point?
Proctor to Hale: “(flushed with resentment but trying to smile)
What’s your suspicion, Mr Hale?” (page 54).
Elizabeth: “(delicately) Adultery, John.
Proctor: (as though a secret arrow had pained his heart) Aye”
(page 55)
Explain the irony in this scene. What does this error reveal about John?
Proctor to Hale: (with difficulty): I- I have no witness and I cannot
prove it, except my word be taken. But I know the children’s
sickness had naught to do with witchcraft” (page 56).
Why does John decide to reveal to Hale what Abigail told him? How does he feel about
going to court? Why does he feel this way?
Proctor to Hale: “I- I had not reckoned with goin’ to court. But if I
must I will” (page 57).
Proctor to Hale: “I’ll tell you what’s walking Salem- vengeance is
walking Salem. We are what we always were in Salem, but now
the little crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom, and What and whom does John believe is behind all the accusations in the town? What is he
common vengeance writes the law! This warrant’s vengeance! I’ll lamenting in this scene? What does John vow to never allow happen?
not give my wife to vengeance!” (page 63)
Proctor to Mary: “You’re coming to the court with me, Mary. You
will tell it in court” (page 65).
Mary to Proctor: “I have known it, sir. She’ll ruin you with it, I
know she will.
Proctor to Mary: “(hesitating, and with deep hatred of himself)
Good. Then her saintliness is done with. We will slide together
into our pit; you will tell the court what you know”. (page 66)
Proctor to Mary: “My wife will never die for me! I will bring your
guts into your mouth but that goodness will not die for me!”
(page 66).
Why does John finally decide to go to court? What does he aim to do? What sacrifice is
he making here? What does John finally come to understand?