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How Does John Proctor Create Tension In The Crucible

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***The Crucible is a play that explores the Salem witch trials and how the effect of suspicion and fear can play a toll on the members of their community. The story takes place at Salem Massachusetts Bay Colony during the sixteenth century. In view of this, the time period was taken advantage by the Puritan faith, which meant that the population consisted of spirited individuals who followed the faith strongly. Enclosed in this time period is young Abigail William who, also a puritan, constructed the main events of the play. Based on textual evidence throughout The Crucible, Abigail is seen as the main antagonist and stays with that position till the end. Her outer conflicts result in the most disastrous events, leaving men and women to their …show more content…

Her introduction into the played was through reverend Parris who caught her dancing in the woods with her cousin betty. This act alone goes against her Uncle's wishes as a reverend and against the town as a Puritan since her stunt meant that she is submitting to sin. As the story continues, it is found that the reason as to why Abigail has committed the sin was primarily to cast a spell on John Proctor's wife, Elizabeth. Abigail had become obsessed with John Proctor after the affair and had daydreamed about removing Elizabeth from the solution entirely, as she had believed that the only reason John isn’t with Abigail is because his wife is holding him back. Miller, at this stage, has already cast Abigail Williams as the main antagonist in the play. She displays all of the characteristics of a selfish and immature seventeen-year-old girl who saw a man's loneliness, during his wife’s illness, as love. All of these examples of Abigail show her actions as a direct characterization of an …show more content…

Abigail frames Elizabeth Proctor of being a witch by constructing a doll with a pin stuck in it. Another reason as to why Abigail despises Goody Elizabeth is because Elizabeth was spreading rumors about Abigail to the other community members. Correspondingly, Abigail has conflict with John Proctor because she wants a relationship with him, but his commitment to his wife was upsetting. Abigail, after failed attempts to get John back, has convicted John Proctor as a Witch as well. Her inner conflict was not majorly shown throughout the play. However, a glint of her inner works was shown when Mary Warren confessed to John Proctor that she never saw any spirits which gave Abigail a chance to admit to the truth and save the lives of the people that were accused. Instead, Abigail denies the truth. Her actions show no remorse for the accused and continues the witch

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