The Crucible Literary Analysis

Literary Analysis: The Crucible In “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller, liars, cheats, and control freaks drastically change the story. It seemed people were in it to protect themselves and their reputation, even if they had to tell a lie. These aren’t any little white lies though; these are lies that sent nineteen people, and counting, to their graves. Out of every character in the story, I believe Abigail Williams is the instigator and catalyst to the numerous deaths and court events. She expressed jealousy, selfishness, and misleading.
Abigail handles jealousy in the opposite way one should. She accuses Elizabeth Proctor of being a witch only because she wants to be with John Proctor. John Proctor committed adultery with her in previous years, and she fell in love with him at that time. “Abby, I may think of you softly from time to time, but I will cut off my hand before I reach for you again. Wipe it out of mind. We never touched, Abby.” Abigail Williams: “Ay, but we did.” (Miller 1246) This quote shows how Abigail won’t accept the fact that John is over with her, she believes Elizabeth is the only thing in the way of them ever being together. Her sexual desire is blocking her common sense. She knows she has the power to make a step to kill Elizabeth.
Sexual desire is her main focus in this story. Abigail and the other girls do not have many of the freedoms girls have today. When Abigail finally realized had the power to do these things, she abused it. Not only did she abuse it, but also she liked to abuse it. “Now look you. All of you. We danced. And Tituba conjured Ruth Putnam’s dead sister. And that is all, and mark this. Let either of you breathe a word, or the edge of a word about the other things, I will come to you in the black of some terrible night, and I will bring with me a pointy reckoning that will shudder you. And you know I can do it. I saw Indians smash my dear parents' heads on the pillow next to mine. And I have seen some reddish work done