Act 3 Scene 2

Still in the vestry, John Proctor and Mary Warren enter. They talk to Danforth and tell him that Mary Warren did not see spirits, not did the other girls that night. Danforth will not accept Mary's signed deposition but wishes Mary to continue their talk.

Mary admits that she and the other girls had only pretended to see spirits. Danforth questions Proctor to see if he is attempting to sway the court to save his wife. Proctor claims that the court is already being swayed by the imaginations of children, but Danforth knows he is hiding something and warns Proctor that the truth will come out.

Danforth tells Proctor that Elizabeth says she is pregnant. However, the court's physician has not found any evidence to back this up. Proctor vouches for his wife, saying that she would not lie about such a thing. Because of the pregnancy, Danforth will let Elizabeth live, for the present.

Proctor then testifies that Martha Corey and Rebecca Nurse are upstanding women and are also unjustly accused. 91 people have signed a letter to the same effect. Parris argues that these 91 are in conflict with the court's ruling and should be called individually. Francis Nurse is upset because he had promised them that there would be no repercussions for adding their signatures.

After reading Giles Corey's deposition, Thomas Putnam is brought before the magistrates. Corey accuses Putnam of urging his daughter to make false accusations against George Jacobs. Putnam, he believes, is the only person in Salem who could afford Jacob's land if he were to hang for witchcraft. Putnam denies the charge. Danforth asks for Corey's proof, but Corey refuses to name who overheard Putnam. Corey is arrested for contempt of court.

Hale informs Danforth that the public fear the court. Danforth, despite the evidence, claims that only the guilty should fear the court. Hale wonders out loud if everyone the girls accuse can really be guilty.

Danforth reads the deposition of Mary Warren. In it she states that she never saw the devil and that the other girls are lying. Hale says that a lawyer should present this claim. Hale and Danforth argue while Parris reads the deposition. Parris demands that he question Mary in the court, but Danforth denies his request.

Danforth tells Mary that she must ow tell the truth. She is also told that, whatever the outcome, she will be punished for perjury for offering two contradicting statements.

Danforth begins to question the veracity of his previous judgments and the innocence of the people he has already sent to hang.

The Crucible - Plot Summary