Act I: Scene 2, The Crucible Summary

Act I: Scene 2. As Act I continues, John Proctor, a farmer in his mid-thirties, enters. Upon seeing Mr. Proctor, Mary Warren explains she was just going home. Proctor demands to know if Mary is deaf, as he forbade her to leave the house, and asks what it is he is paying her for. Mary exits, followed by Mercy, and Proctor goes to Betty on the bed, asking Abigail what mischief is going on.

Abigail dismisses the rumors of witchcraft, telling Proctor she and the other girls were dancing in the woods when her uncle discovered them the previous night. As Proctor turns to go, Abigail springs into his path, asking him to give her a "soft word," but Proctor refuses, saying "No, no, Abby. That's done with" (Act I, p. 22).

Abigail fights Proctor's resistance, reminding...