Act 2.

At the beginning of Act 2 we are introduced to Elizabeth Proctor. The first impression is not exactly seen as a positive one though. We find ourselves wrapped up in an argument between John and Elizabeth. It starts with John's anger over Elizabeth allowing Mary to go to the town for court because she was a member. (She was in with the group of girls that were in court accusing different people from Salem of witchcraft).This turned into Elizabeth not letting go of things of the past. John and Elizabeth get into it about John's affair. He was with Abigail when she worked as his servant and when Elizabeth found out she was furious and kicked her out. This is still haunting her even though it seems to me as if John knows that Elizabeth is the only one he wants. John is tired of Elizabeth bringing it up because he has learned his lesson. He feels horrible about the past and wants nothing more of it. Later when Mary returns from the courts we find that she has made a poppet for Elizabeth. Mary gave this to her as a gift with no bad intentions, but it seems to be turned on her later on. Mary also informs them that Elizabeth was mentioned in the courts that day for doing witchcraft. (As we look back we see that it must be Abigail at fault. She was the one who wants Elizabeth dead.) Hale shows up some time later. Hale tells them that some more people have been charged with witchcraft one being Rebecca Nurse. They are stunned at this and Hale goes on questioning them as if they may be involved in witchcraft too. He asks John why they haven't gone to church lately and why their third son has yet to be baptized. John tells him his dislike towards Parris, but hale presses on. He asks Elizabeth if she knew her ten commandments. Her reply was yes, "...I'm a covenanted Christian woman" (198). He next ask John if is and if so could he tell him the ten commandments. John's answer was yes also, and he started naming off each commandment. He got up to nine, but forgot the last one. Elizabeth cut in and said adultery was the one he forgot. They went on with conversation and Elizabeth asked Hale if he was suspecting her. His reply was he did not judge her, but he was to find wisdom for the court. When Hale went to leave Elizabeth told John she wanted him to tell Hale about Abigail. They tell Hale how they believe somewhat that Abigail is making these things up and that he should question her. This is when Giles rushes in telling them that they have taken his wife. His wife is accused of witchcraft now and Francis Nurse came in to tell his wife, Rebecca, has been accused too. A wagon has come around to pick them up and take the accused away and it soon showed up to the Proctor house too. Mr.Cheever came with the wagon and told them that Elizabeth has been accused by Abigail. John is furious what this. He asks what proof they have on her. Cheever speaks of the poppet Mary had given to Elizabeth. When they got the poppet out they found a needle stuck in it. This would have meant nothing, but Abigail ran into Parris' house that night falling to the floor stabbed in the same spot as the poppet. She said it was because of Elizabeth, she was at fault. That gave them the proof to take her away on the wagon with the rest of the accused. John yelled at Mary to tell the courts it was a poppet she and given her and explain herself. Explain that she was in court when she made it and Abigail knew of it because she was next to her during it. This would take blame off of Elizabeth and show them that Abigail has been doing these things, but Mary says she cannot do that.