Rising Action (Act Two of The Crucible)

Act Two of The Crucible creates more tension and further develops the mass hysteria associated with the Salem Witch Trials. The girls have used spectral evidence to accuse more innocent people. John Proctor asks how the accusers are innocent and how the only "proof" is one person's word against another's.

Some glimmers of hope exist as Reverend Hale doubts true justice is being carried out when Elizabeth Proctor and Rebecca Nurse are arrested, and Mary Warren holds potential testimony that can clear Elizabeth's name. As the action rises, you have seen how the character and conflict development really starts to intensify the plot.