Lesson 4: Act 2

What is the significance of Elizabeth Proctor's character? How does she contribute to the play's themes?

How is the role of fear and paranoia in shaping the characters' actions?

authority (24)
au·thor·i·ty noun
a person in whom power and clout is vested
We will forward this matter to the relevant authorities.
entity (25)
en·ti·ty noun
a thing with a particular nature and an independent existence
At my school, the Chess Club used to be a separate entity, but now it’s part of the After-School Club.
consult (26)
con·sult verb
to seek information from
I consult my dictionary when I am not sure about the meaning of a word.
contradict (28)
con·tra·dict verb
to assert the opposite of something
No matter what I say, my brother always contradicts me.
conceive (31)
con·ceive verb
to think of or develop an idea
Before I joined the soccer team, I could not conceive of a reason to get up early on Saturday mornings.
assemble (33)
as·sem·ble verb
to come together
The students assemble in the gym for an awards ceremony.
diagnostic (34)
di·ag·nos·tic adjective
characteristic or indicative of a disease
A diagnostic sign of Scarlet fever is a sever rash on the skin.
abide (36)
a·bide verb
to conform or stick to
Toddlers struggle to abide the rules, their spirits are too wild and free to be tempered.
licentious (39)
li·cen·tious adjective
wanton or corrupt, wrongly free
A sponge is designed to absorb water.
compact (41)
com·pact verb
to enter into a formal agreement with a person or group of people
When the parties agreed on all of the legal details, they compacted a formal written agreement.

RL.11-12.2 Determine two or more themes or central ideas of a text and analyze their development over
the course of the text, including how they interact and build on one another to produce a
complex account; provide an objective summary of the text

DOK 2: Skills and Concepts

How does Miller use dialogue to reveal the tension between John and Elizabeth's relationship?
Why does John Proctor refuse to go to church regularly?
How does Abigail manipulate the situation to her advantage?
DOK 3: Strategic Thinking

How does the fear of accusation and the power of the court affect the characters' decisions?
What is the significance of the poppet in the plot?
How does Miller use symbolism to convey the theme of hypocrisy in Act 2?

Chunk the text
Translated version for MLLs

Think questions

Act 1, Part 2 (pages 24–46): Sudden Accusations

Act 2, Part 1 (pages 47–59): The Devil’s Out in Salem