The Crucible and Abigail Williams
Biographical Data on Character: In “The Crucible”, written by Arthur Miller, Abigail Williams is seventeen years of age. She is a white Puritan, and “strikingly beautiful” (Miller 169). She lives with her uncle, Reverend Samuel Parris, ten-year old cousin, Betty, and Barbados maid, Titubia. Abigail also worked for John and Elizabeth Proctor until Elizabeth fired her out. In sixteen ninety-two Abigail Williams was actually eleven years old. Her uncle, Reverend Parris, with the help of Titubia, an Indian slave, raised her and her three cousins, Thomas, Betty, and Susannah (Salem Witch Trials Notable Persons).
Appearance: Most women in Salem had only a couple sets of clothing. This included one for Sunday and the others for weekdays and workdays. Abigail would have worn a linen shift under a bodice laced tightly almost everyday. Then, she would wear many layers of petticoats with that. During the cold months she would have worn wool stockings. Her hair would be up in a bun under a hood or cap. All of her clothing would have been earth tone such as brown and tan because black clothing was very expensive and faded quickly (The Salem Times 1693).
Personality Characteristics: Abigail was very intelligent. This gave her an advantage when she tried to manipulate other people. She had a tendency to lie and be very hateful towards other people.
Important Events in the Play: Some very important parts in “The Crucible” for Abby is in Act one. When Abigail and John Proctor talk about being together this shows the audience that Abigail is willing to do whatever to get what she wants. Another important part is when Abigail tells Rev. Parris what the girls were doing in the woods. She tells him that “She [Titubia] always sings her Barbados songs, and we dance” (Miller 170). This is a lie and will eventually show the audience how much Abigail will do to keep herself innocent. Lastly, in Act four almost everyone is in the courtroom. Mary Warren is being
Appearance: Most women in Salem had only a couple sets of clothing. This included one for Sunday and the others for weekdays and workdays. Abigail would have worn a linen shift under a bodice laced tightly almost everyday. Then, she would wear many layers of petticoats with that. During the cold months she would have worn wool stockings. Her hair would be up in a bun under a hood or cap. All of her clothing would have been earth tone such as brown and tan because black clothing was very expensive and faded quickly (The Salem Times 1693).
Personality Characteristics: Abigail was very intelligent. This gave her an advantage when she tried to manipulate other people. She had a tendency to lie and be very hateful towards other people.
Important Events in the Play: Some very important parts in “The Crucible” for Abby is in Act one. When Abigail and John Proctor talk about being together this shows the audience that Abigail is willing to do whatever to get what she wants. Another important part is when Abigail tells Rev. Parris what the girls were doing in the woods. She tells him that “She [Titubia] always sings her Barbados songs, and we dance” (Miller 170). This is a lie and will eventually show the audience how much Abigail will do to keep herself innocent. Lastly, in Act four almost everyone is in the courtroom. Mary Warren is being
Cited: Works: Miller, Arthur. “The Crucible.” The Language of Literature: American Literature. Arthur N. Applebee. Evanston: McDougal Littell. 164-240. Print. “Notes & Notations from the Salem Witch Museum.” Notes Notations from the Salem Witch Museum RSS. N.p. n.d. Web. 22 Sept. 2013. “Salem Witch Trials Notable Persons.” Salem Witch Trials Notable Persons. N.p. n.d. Web. 20 Sept. 2013. “The Salem Times 1693 “Salem Times Every Time”.” The Salem Times 1693”Salem Times Every Time” n.p. n.d. Web. 23 Sept. 2013.