Act 2, Scene II

[ricarey38]

Why do you think Arthur Miller chose to admit Act 2, Scene II from this version of the play? Was it because it was unnecessary, or did it alter his message? I thought that it detracted slightly from Proctor's role as a hero, especially when he says, "I had thought to come many times." (148). It makes it seem as though he still has some sort of feelings for Abby. He also appears slightly jealous when he says, "I'm told a troop of boys go step for step with you wherever you walk these days." (149). To me, he is focusing more on Abby than on the task of clearing his wife's name. This made his role as a hero less believable to me.

[bezhang38]

There are numerous reasons Miller removed it. As stated above, it dimimishes Proctor's heroic quality as he reveals his lust for Abigail. In addition, including the scene would have detracted from Abigail's character and the reader's imagination. Thoughout the play, she is viewed as extremely deceitful and intelligent. Without reading the deleted scene, the motives for her overall scheme of witchcraft are only hinted upon, leaving the reader to imagine the true motives for her actions. However, reading the scene exposes Abigail's true intent, which is getting rid of Elizabeth Proctor so Abigail can be with John Proctor. Specifically, she says, "Oh, John, I will make you such a wide when the world is white again!" (150). This contradicts the impression that Abigail becomes completely wrapped up in her own lies and fantasies, and shows that she is nothing more than a girl controlled and clouded by love.

[natuppe35]

I thought this scene was interesting because in Act I, Abigail confessed to Proctor that everything was not true and the things she and the other girls in the woods was just play while in this scene, she seems to believe that people are trying to hurt her by using the Devil against her. Abigail tells Proctor that "George Jacobs [comes] again and again and raps me with his stick-the same spot every night all this week" (149). Proctor know this cannot be true because Jacobs has been in jail for the past month though Abigail continues to try and play Proctor by telling him that the prayers said in jail are to hurt her. I disagree that Miller omitted this scene from the play due to Proctor's lust because even though he did think about coming, he decided against it which I found takes discipline. I believe that this scene was deleted because it makes Abigail appear a little insane and would make her actions in Act III in the court seem because she truly believes in the Devil instead of her just faking to manipulate the other people in the court. Abigail's mind seems changed when she says "Oh, hypocrites! Have you won him, too? John, why do you let them send you?" because she is confused that Proctor would want to ruin her because the Devil is real (151). I find Proctor noble in not going to meet Abigail and only to try and persuade her to tell the truth so he doesn't have to be the one to destroy her image.

[jiyang35]

I also agree that this scene was omitted because of what it shows about Abigail’s character. This one scene does seem to depict her to be mentally disturbed rather than abusing her power. As mentioned, her belief that it was all just a sport changed to an actual belief in the Devil. This would make her actions in Act III seem less hideous and manipulative which is the opposite of what Miller wants. Publishing this play during the time period of the Red Scare, it is clear his message was to inform others about ignorance and the tyranny of consensus. He wants to let others know, that no matter how believable something may be, it can be due to individuals trying to reap benefits for themselves or even just fear.