Abigail Williams In The Crucible By Arthur Miller
Abigail Williams, a major character, is a servant to Elizabeth and John Proctor is known as the villain in the play, The Crucible written by Arthur Miller. In the small town of Salem, Massachusetts, girls are accused of dancing in the forest, casting spells, and conspiring with the devil, which is recognized as witchcraft. This creates a big conflict in the town that leads to many deaths. Abigail Williams’ choices influence the outcome of the play more than anyone else by her selfishness and manipulation.
Being concerned for oneself’s own advantage, regardless of others is described as being selfish. Abigail Williams converses with John Proctor and cries, “You loved me, John Proctor, and whatever sin it is, you love me yet! John, pity me, pity
me” (Miller 24). Abigail is trying to convince him to keep on committing adultery. John Proctor is a married man and she is selfishly begging him to feel sorry for her. She is requesting him to give up on his family to be with her. Abigail Williams notes to her friends, “Let either of you breathe a word, or I will come to you in the black of some terrible night and I will bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder you” (Miller 20). This proves that Abby will go to great extremes to protect herself from getting into distress. Even though she was apart of the witchcraft she does not want to be blamed for wrongdoing. Abby is selfish in the way that if any of her friends state the truth and blame her they will suffer from abuse. From Abby’s selfish ways this then keeps John away from his wife and protects the truth from getting out leading to bigger consequences.
Skillful handling, controlling or using of something or someone is known as Manipulation. Abigail proposes to John “Oh, how I marvel how such a strong man may let such a sickly wife be -” (Miller 23). Abigail now is striking Elizabeth to try and get John back into her life. This manipulates John in the way that she is praising him and it is a punch in the gut to Elizabeth. Also, Abigail's manipulation is shown in hers and John’s relationship, as she states, “I have a sense for heat, John, and yours has drawn me to my window, and I have seen you looking up, burning in your loneliness. Do you tell me that you've never looked up at my window?” (Miller 23). She is trying to understand and compromise her and John's situation. She is pressuring him to continue their past while he is asking for forgiveness for having an affair on his wife. Abby’s manipulation leads to more of a conflict in Salem.
The many characters in The Crucible have had different purposes for bringing a part to the play, but Abigail brings a greater impact to the aftereffect. Abby’s selfish and manipulative characteristics keep John away from his wife and protects the truth from getting out to guide a better outcome. In every conflict there is always someone to blame and in The Crucible, Abigail Williams is a greater influence to the end of the story.
Being concerned for oneself’s own advantage, regardless of others is described as being selfish. Abigail Williams converses with John Proctor and cries, “You loved me, John Proctor, and whatever sin it is, you love me yet! John, pity me, pity
me” (Miller 24). Abigail is trying to convince him to keep on committing adultery. John Proctor is a married man and she is selfishly begging him to feel sorry for her. She is requesting him to give up on his family to be with her. Abigail Williams notes to her friends, “Let either of you breathe a word, or I will come to you in the black of some terrible night and I will bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder you” (Miller 20). This proves that Abby will go to great extremes to protect herself from getting into distress. Even though she was apart of the witchcraft she does not want to be blamed for wrongdoing. Abby is selfish in the way that if any of her friends state the truth and blame her they will suffer from abuse. From Abby’s selfish ways this then keeps John away from his wife and protects the truth from getting out leading to bigger consequences.
Skillful handling, controlling or using of something or someone is known as Manipulation. Abigail proposes to John “Oh, how I marvel how such a strong man may let such a sickly wife be -” (Miller 23). Abigail now is striking Elizabeth to try and get John back into her life. This manipulates John in the way that she is praising him and it is a punch in the gut to Elizabeth. Also, Abigail's manipulation is shown in hers and John’s relationship, as she states, “I have a sense for heat, John, and yours has drawn me to my window, and I have seen you looking up, burning in your loneliness. Do you tell me that you've never looked up at my window?” (Miller 23). She is trying to understand and compromise her and John's situation. She is pressuring him to continue their past while he is asking for forgiveness for having an affair on his wife. Abby’s manipulation leads to more of a conflict in Salem.
The many characters in The Crucible have had different purposes for bringing a part to the play, but Abigail brings a greater impact to the aftereffect. Abby’s selfish and manipulative characteristics keep John away from his wife and protects the truth from getting out to guide a better outcome. In every conflict there is always someone to blame and in The Crucible, Abigail Williams is a greater influence to the end of the story.