In Act II of The Crucible: Why Does Proctor Believe Abigail Accused Elizabeth of Witchcraft?

Analysis of Proctor's Belief

In Act II of The Crucible, John Proctor believes that Abigail Williams accuses Elizabeth Proctor, his wife, of witchcraft due to several reasons:

A. Abigail wants to distract attention from the episode in the woods.

This is a probable reason as Abigail knows that the accusations of witchcraft in Salem have caused a stir among the people. By diverting the attention towards Elizabeth, she hopes to protect herself and avoid being suspected of any wrongdoing.

B. Abigail fears that Elizabeth will denounce her for seducing Proctor.

Abigail had an affair with John Proctor, and she might fear that Elizabeth will expose her relationship with Proctor, which could lead to her own downfall. Accusing Elizabeth of witchcraft could be a way for Abigail to prevent this from happening.

C. Elizabeth treated Abigail harshly.

There is no explicit evidence in the play suggesting that Elizabeth treated Abigail harshly. However, if Abigail felt mistreated or scorned by Elizabeth, she might seek revenge by falsely accusing her of witchcraft.

D. Abigail wants to punish Proctor for rejecting her.

Ultimately, the main reason why Abigail accuses Elizabeth of witchcraft is to punish John Proctor for ending their affair. By implicating Elizabeth, Abigail aims to hurt Proctor emotionally and seek revenge for his rejection.

Answer:

D. Abigail wants to punish Proctor for rejecting her.

Explanation:

Abigail's motives throughout the play revolve around her obsession with John Proctor and her desire for revenge. By accusing Elizabeth of witchcraft, Abigail aims to destroy Proctor's reputation and sow discord within the community.