Ms.Weber!
October 29th, 2013
English 3B
Literary Snapshot 2 Rewrite:
How does Miller develop the character of Abigail?
In what way is the character of Abigail a foil to Elizabeth Proctor?
In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, he develops Abigail by using her actions to make our view of her character change as she starts to act differently throughout the play. Abigail is a foil to Elizabeth Proctor since she uses lying as a tool to manipulate people as she finds it especially effective. Abigail gradually becomes inhumane in the witch trials as she gains power through lying skillfully and manipulating people. Miller establishes sexual rivalry between Abigail and Elizabeth Proctor to create dramatic irony as Abigail
attempts …show more content…
This first time she lies, we think it’s logical and normal since we find her urge was only to protect herself. In Act Three,
Abigail’s manipulation of people and the spread of death becomes insane and inhumane. She has lodged false charges on countless villagers already, but she doesn’t seem to be satisfied. As John Proctor tries to stop this insanity going around Abigail, she slanders him and accuses him. It is ironic since she states earlier that she loves John
Proctor, but just after a few months she is able to turn her back against John Proctor.
The whole thing starts with Abigail’s background. She is an orphan, and she has a low social status. Abigail is not complex, but rather one dimensional. Because of her low social status and poor family background, it is logical to think that she will control other people and lie, or simply at all costs, gain power. At first, Abigail’s essential goal is to save herself. She’s done that with ease. By the end of the play, however, her actions have changed to gaining control over the village.
Abigail is certainly seen as a foil to Elizabeth Proctor, as she is also identified as