Act II, Scene 4 Summary
Ezekiel Cheever, the new court clerk, arrives at the Proctor home, announcing he has come to arrest Elizabeth Proctor on suspicion of witchcraft. Cheever asks John to hand over any poppets in the house. Still, Elizabeth says she hasn't had a doll since she was a little girl (she's forgotten that Mary Warren just gave her a poppet she had made in court that day). Cheever spots the poppet, however, and when Elizabeth goes to fetch Mary, Cheever finds a needle stuck into the poppet's stomach.
He cries out that this is "calamity" for Elizabeth and recounts the following: Earlier that night, Abigail sat down to dinner and suddenly screamed aloud, dramatically falling to the floor. A needle was discovered stuck into her belly. Abigail testified that Elizabeth had sent out her spirit to push it in.
Mary and Elizabeth reenter the room. Mary explains to everyone present that she made the poppet and stuck the needle inside it for safekeeping. She then announces—not knowing about Abigail's accusation—that they can ask Abigail about it because Abigail was sitting next to Mary when she made the doll in court.
To the Proctors, this is proof that Abigail is trying to get Elizabeth hanged. Still, since no one else knows of the affair between John and Abigail, they don't see what motive she would have to lie. Elizabeth is arrested, and Reverend Hale assures John that she has nothing to worry about if she is innocent and will be sent home soon.
In response, John calls Hale "Pontius Pilate." Pilate was the man who allowed the crucifixion of Jesus Christ because it was what the general public chose—even though he believed they were wrong. He famously washed his hands before the crowd as if to say he was not responsible for their choice and Christ's death.
Now, John claims that Hale is trying to do the same thing: deny responsibility for an injustice he could stop. At the end of the scene, John tells Mary Warren that she will go to the court with him, to tell the truth. She cries and says she's afraid to oppose Abigail.
Expert Q&A
How does Mary Warren change in act 2 of The Crucible?
In act 2 of The Crucible, Mary Warren changes from a shy, timorous creature into an assertive young woman. This is because she now has some measure of power in the community due to her association with Abigail Williams.
How does Mary Warren's character change from Act 1 to Act 2 in The Crucible?
In Arthur Miller's "The Crucible", Mary Warren's character transforms significantly from Act 1 to Act 2. Initially, she is depicted as subservient, naive, and easily dominated. However, by Act 2, she gains self-assurance and an air of importance due to her new role as an official of the court. This newfound authority boosts her social status, enabling her to stand up to her employers, the Proctors, a stark contrast to her earlier timid demeanor.
How does Mary Warren behave towards her employers in Act 2 of The Crucible?
In Act 2, Mary Warren exhibits newfound self-importance and defiance towards her employers, the Proctors, after being appointed an official of the court. She prioritizes her court duties over household responsibilities, insisting on her authority. Despite John Proctor's disapproval and threats, she asserts her independence, claiming her role involves "God's work" and demanding respect due to her connections. Her behavior reflects her struggle for authority and recognition.
In The Crucible, what does acts 1 and 2 reveal about Mary Warren's character?
Acts 1 and 2 reveal Mary Warren as a timid, easily influenced character caught between her fear of Abigail Williams and her duty to tell the truth. Initially, she is complicit in the false accusations, but John Proctor persuades her to testify for Elizabeth's innocence. However, Mary's fear of Abigail and the other girls overcomes her resolve, leading her to betray Proctor and align with the accusers, prioritizing her safety over justice.
How does Mary Warren's interaction with Elizabeth and John Proctor in Act 2 of The Crucible portray her?
Mary Warren is portrayed as a timid, docile young girl with an inflated ego and a newly acquired self-important air about her. Before becoming an official of the court, Mary was compared to a "mouse" but has recently been acting bold and independent. When she returns from the court, she cannot help but display her true personality by cowering in John's presence. The audience recognizes her false bravado and views her as a harmless girl putting on a show.
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