Final answer:
Elizabeth Proctor's arrest at the end of Act II of 'The Crucible' is a cliffhanger, which increases tension and leads into the next part of the narrative, as opposed to the climax, which is the peak of the story's action.
Step-by-step explanation:
The arrest of Elizabeth Proctor for witchcraft at the end of Act II in Arthur Miller's play The Crucible is an example of a cliffhanger. A cliffhanger is a plot device used in literature that leaves the audience in suspense and eager to find out what happens next. It is not the climax, which is the turning point or peak of the story's action and central to resolving the conflict, often involving a showdown or a significant decision or realization by the protagonist. In the case of Elizabeth Proctor's arrest, it serves to ramp up the tension and suspense, propelling the story into the subsequent acts and leading to the eventual climax.