Read this passage from Act 2, Part 6, of The Crucible.


PROCTOR: Herrick! Herrick, don’t chain her! (He rushes out the door. From outside. ) You will not chain her! Off with them! I’ll not have it! I will not have her chained!

(There are other men’s voices against his. Hale, in a fever of guilt and uncertainty, turns from the door to avoid the sight; Mary Warren bursts into tears and sits weeping. Giles Corey calls to Hale. )


How does the author’s decision to place the action offstage affect readers’ understanding of this event?



A- Putting the action offstage forces readers to imagine the pain that Elizabeth is in as she is chained.


B- Putting the action offstage forces readers to focus on other characters’ reactions to Elizabeth’s arrest.


C- Putting the action offstage is a signal to readers that Elizabeth cannot escape the court.


D- Putting the action offstage emphasizes how angry Proctor is