The hysteria surrounding the witchtrials causes Abigail to lie in order to save herself. She is affected by the hysteria because she does not want to exposed as a liar. She forgets about the people that are close to her in order to protect her reputation and identity. Abigail abandons Tituba, and accuses her of "sending her spirit on me in church; she makes me laugh at prayer" (41). Abigail also says Tituba "comes to me every night to go and drink blood (41). Abigail reacts like this only to save her from being suspected of witchery. Another way Abigail tries to save herself is when she tries to accuse Mary of practicing witchcraft. She is trying to save herself from being exposed
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as a fraud. Mary was going to testify that Abigail and the girls were frauds, but Abigail says that Mary has descended a "cold wind" (108) upon the courtroom. She then starts to mimic Mary's every words and forces the other girls to do the same. Mary then breaks down and accuses Proctor of being a