How Does Abigail Williams Influence The Proctor
The animosity shared between the Proctor family and Abigail williams, a typical man vs man conflict, develops the significance of The Crucible through the influence that Abigail's actions have on the downfall of her relationship with the Proctors. Most notably, Abigail’s affair with John Proctor, her boss of the time, sparks a major change that shapes the rest of the play. Suspicions from Elizabeth about this affair result in Abigail's termination as the Proctor servant. Resentful of Elizabeth, Abigail acts on her jealousy, causing more damage to her relationship with the Proctors. Eventually, the judge's question Elizabeth’s motive for firing Abigail Williams, to which Elizabeth replies, “‘...I thought I saw my husband somewhat turning from
me. And this girl...I came to think he fancied her. And so one night I...put her out on the highroad’”(Miller 113). Abigail choosing to have an affair with John Proctor produces this confession from Elizabeth, sadly not being enough to save her husband. Additionally, jealousy and hatred fuel Abigail to pursue multiple killing attempts directed towards Elizabeth. Her strategy includes witchery, sabotage, and accusations. She even goes so far as to stab herself with a needle after witnessing the Proctors servant put one inside a doll that is kept in the Proctor household. Subsequently, this sabotage on Elizabeth makes it hard for her to defend herself, seeing that there is substantial evidence against her. This occurrence was the final straw, causing Elizabeth to shout, “‘She wants me dead. I knew all week it would come to this’” (Miller 60), proving that Abigail is the true force behind their increasing conflict. Even after all of Abigail's many endeavors, Elizabeth remains alive and the tension continues to increase, along with disgust from John who no longer wishes to pursue their affair. Overall, the conflict between Abigail and the Proctor family is never resolved due to John’s death and the hatred that will forever fester between Abigail and Elizabeth. With Abigail’s actions being the “concentrated force” that influenced and developed the change in her relationship with the Proctors, ultimately killing John and destroying their family, then the significance of The Crucible is made clear.
me. And this girl...I came to think he fancied her. And so one night I...put her out on the highroad’”(Miller 113). Abigail choosing to have an affair with John Proctor produces this confession from Elizabeth, sadly not being enough to save her husband. Additionally, jealousy and hatred fuel Abigail to pursue multiple killing attempts directed towards Elizabeth. Her strategy includes witchery, sabotage, and accusations. She even goes so far as to stab herself with a needle after witnessing the Proctors servant put one inside a doll that is kept in the Proctor household. Subsequently, this sabotage on Elizabeth makes it hard for her to defend herself, seeing that there is substantial evidence against her. This occurrence was the final straw, causing Elizabeth to shout, “‘She wants me dead. I knew all week it would come to this’” (Miller 60), proving that Abigail is the true force behind their increasing conflict. Even after all of Abigail's many endeavors, Elizabeth remains alive and the tension continues to increase, along with disgust from John who no longer wishes to pursue their affair. Overall, the conflict between Abigail and the Proctor family is never resolved due to John’s death and the hatred that will forever fester between Abigail and Elizabeth. With Abigail’s actions being the “concentrated force” that influenced and developed the change in her relationship with the Proctors, ultimately killing John and destroying their family, then the significance of The Crucible is made clear.