The Salem Witch Trials, as portrayed by The Crucible, were a terrifying and confusing time. It’s hard to say who caused this whole debacle, but it was most likely Abigail Williams. Because of her lies about her involvement with the girls in the forest, or her blatant manipulation of others to pull blame off of herself and onto other. Because of this, and her treachery, the Salem Witch Trials spiralled into the chaos that it is known for today. Without her, the Salem Witch Trials may have been less horrifying than it is known for today, and the town better off. Abigail’s lies have caused many issues, but the lie that not only was she not dancing and conjuring spirits with Tituba and the other girls, but that she was nowhere near the forest where the girls were. Even though she says later to the other girl’s that no one can find out. Although it’s not sure if anyone found out, the reader knows this, and can’t help but think about her involvement in it. Because of this, Abigail should be thought of as a manipulative schemer, and …show more content…
What of the claim that she is all but free from claim of evil. Well, why would she have hid a needle to frame Elizabeth, or that she cried out names of random names of citizens to damn them to deaths at the gallows. She lied, manipulated, and blackmailed her way to innocence, and even got away with all of her uncle’s money. Even though she was singlehandedly the worst party in this situation. So, in conclusion, Abigail is the party in the complete wrong here, and cannot be redeemed. That it was she who caused this horrible event to take place. Through lies, deception, and manipulation, she knew how to, quote, “Save her bacon”. That, if it wasn’t for her, this whole ordeal may not have never happened. That the Salem Witch Trial, according to the Crucible, may not have been as horrifying as it was. That this whole ordeal, was preventable, if one horrible person could have been
She is manipulative and should be held responsible for the imprisonment and executions of the innocent salem people, because she accused others of witchcraft and above all lied to the court to save her life. As has been noted, Abigail Williams accused innocent people of witchcraft. Although it may not seem like a big
In Arthur Miller's “The Crucible” (1953), it is shown that people seem to forget basic morals when dealing with mass hysteria. Puritans in the play do not want the devil or any other demonic figures such as witches in their community, they will go to great lengths, as far as turning their back on their own people to get rid of these demonic figures as shown in “The Crucible”. This idea of witches in the community caused chaos in the village which led to the deaths of 20 people in the village. Do people in the play not care about the consequences other people face because of their actions? In the play, loyalty falls far below self selfishness in the face of mass hysteria.
In “The Crucible” By Arthur Miller, the main frailty that causes injustice in Salem is the “witchcraft” that Abigail participates in. The reason why she decided to perform “witchcraft” was out of anger and desire to be with Proctor after he told her to forget the whole ordeal even happened. For example, it caused her to be in distress and drink the charm in order to kill Goody Proctor. Furthermore, it also caused Abigail to form a plot to frame Goody Proctor with form of voodoo involving a poppet and needle. In addition, the “witchcraft” that Abigail participated in, caused an uproar and accusations of innocent people.
During the late 17th century a total of 200 people were accused of participating in witchcraft, while 19 people lost their lives to the mass hysteria. In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, a group of girls start a huge uproar in Salem, Massachusetts when they start screeching about Salemites being associated with the Devil. Throughout the play write, it shows the consequences of mass hysteria and how it puts people's lives in danger. Abigail Williams causes a wave of mass hysteria and because of her trickery, innocent people have died by her and the other girl’s actions, for this Abigail is the most unforgivable character in The Crucible.
In The Crucible, many of the characters were slightly altered from the original Salem Witch Trials to make the story more interesting. Abigail Williams was one of those characters. She has several changes, some major, some minor, but they affect the story in a big way. While there are many differences, there are also some historically accurate things about her thrown in as well.
Betty even said that Abigail “…drank a charm to kill John Proctor’s wife! You drank a charm to kill Goody Proctor”(Miller 1137)! All Abigail ever wanted was Proctor. I think Abigail is definitely the one to blame in The Crucible. Abigail Williams is the one to blame for the innocent deaths because of the lies she told, the accusations she made, and the affair she had with John Proctor.
In Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible, Miller demonstrated that it was Abigail William’s flaws: lust, vengeance, and jealously that led her to be responsible the most for the tragedy of the witch hunts in Salem. Abigail Williams started the entire suspicion of there being active member of witchcraft throughout Salem, Massachusetts. She did this for her own benefits and used trickery to get what she wanted. Abigail was corrupt and only cared for her own desires. There are many reasons that these flaws are crucial to the outcome of the play.
Adolescent minds are the most intelligent kind of mind. A young brain is filled with creativity, imagination and innocence. Though the thought process of a teen is assumed to be selfish there are other factors involved. A combination of these characteristics seems almost dangerous. One would undermine a juvenile to use these qualities to manipulate the court for their own selfish wishes or pleasures.
The Crucible by Arthur Miller is a dramatic play that expresses a very important message and that is how far people would go to save themselves from the hands of death. There are many characters in the Crucible who are guilty of taking innocent lives, but there are three major characters who, without a doubt, are the most at blame. The play takes place in the city of Salem, a city filled with people that would do anything to keep their reputation clean. Throughout the play, Miller is introducing multiple characters that experience changes in their decisions and negatively influence more people eventually leading up to the witch trials. The main point that the story revolves around is that people would rather lie and blame someone else instead of confessing and accepting the punishment.
A dynamic character like Abigail has lied before in the past and now has experiences something more sinister which is unique for a character in the story and makes the plot better with Abigail’s wickedness. Through the Trials of the Salem, the story will always have a person that will stand out when it is mentioned, and Abigail Williams takes the cake of being the most horrific, yet a great character in the story because it isn’t The Crucible without Abigail as being the antagonist and the tension builder. The Village will never forgive of what she did to all the innocent women she has killed. Abigail has shown that she is a very Dynamic character from her emotions, to her actions, and to her experiences she has made in
During the Salem Witch Trials a lot of people were accused of using witchcraft. As a result many people died for other people’s lies, rumors, and selfishness. There is one person that really caused and is most to blame for all the chaos, her name is Abigail. Abigail is to blame for all that has happened in the Witch Trials, the reason for that is because of all the accusing and lying she has done. In addition, it all leads up to her for instance, she used a doll to accuse people of witchcraft.
That is the only reason she is accused, like me she is innocent. A couple of months ago while my wife was sick I committed adultery. I had an affair with Abigail Williams, that is the reason why my wife dismissed her. Although it was a one time thing and it is over Abigail is in love with me and wants me all to herself. That is why she accused Elizabeth, to get rid of her and marry me.
Furthermore, she quickly explains that it is “Not I, sir-Tituba and Ruth” (Miller 16) who conjured spirits in the woods, despite Abigail being the one to drink a charm. As a whole, Abigail’s search for retaliation disguised as justice, not only explains her true character, but also imparts the anguish endured by the
Nicole Schaefer Mr. Becker American Literature October 29, 2014 Two Women for Two Different Worlds In the novel the crucible, Elizabeth, wife of John Proctor, and Abigail Williams, mistress of John Proctor are two main roles. Elizabeth, a woman who is loyal and true, or manipulative and ruthless liar, Abigail. She pretends to see spirits and commands the other girls to pretend as well.
Salem in The Crucible from Arthur Miller is the home to chaos and murder due to witchery that is still unclear as to whether it happened or not. These events caused major changes in the characters from start to finish, at the same time a change in society. Furthermore, calling what happened in Salem a tragedy is an understatement when Salem is clearly in a state of anarchy. Similarly, authority is discontinued and Salem enters a “she said he said” state of mind which only further confuses Salem while also hiding the true slaughterer of innocent Puritan people right in front of their faces. Furthermore, this rising anarchy inhibits the people of logical thinking and hides major perpetrators right in front of them.