Self-Preserving In The Crucible By Arthur Miller

Humans by nature are very selfish and only care themselves. People throughout history have tried to save themselves in any way they can and The Crucible is no exception. Abigail in The Crucible, demonstrated a need of self-preservation, which affected the outcome of the trials which led to executions. She only cared about herself and no one else and it did not matter at all what happened to John Proctor or any of the other girls. Abigail Williams encouraged the girls to take part in some type of witchcraft late at night, and the girls got caught. “Let either of you breathe a word, or an edge of a word, about the other things, and I will come to you in the black of some terrible night and I will bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder you.” (Act 1). She told the other girls this after they had been

“She sends her spirit on me in church; she makes me laugh at prayer!” Abigail is resorting to a pretty low standard by accusing her of paranormal crimes because she makes her laugh at prayer. This situation is only the beginning the beginning of the many accusations that will follow and shape the course of events. “She comes to me while I sleep; she’s always making me dream corruptions!” (Act 1). Yet another accusation made by Abigail to try and get Tituba in trouble. All of these very shallow accusations because she doesn’t want the Reverends to think it was all her fault that she was in the woods. Abigail is sly as a snake and will continue to be. “Give me a word John, a soft word.” Proctor, “No, no. That’s done with.” (Act 1). Abigail hints at a more in-depth relationship with John than first imagined. She is asking for comfort signifying that he has comforted her before. But Proctor says “No.” So now we both know John and Abigails true character. This is where the tide changes in the story, Abigail now becomes worried about getting John Proctor and keeping her name clean, or in other words,