The Crucible: Abigail Williams Character Analysis
In Arthur Miller's The Crucible, the main character Abigail Williams is to blame for the witch trials in Salem, Massachusetts. Abigail is a mean and vindictive person who always wants her way, no matter who she hurts. Throughout the play her accusations and lies cause many people pain and suffering, but she seemed to never care for any of them except John Proctor, whom she had an affair with seven months prior to the beginning of the play. The lies begin to unravel as the reader dives into the book.
John Proctor and his wife Elizabeth used to employ Abigail, until Elizabeth found out about the affair between her husband and Abigail. Immediately she threw Abigail out. Although John told Abigail that the affair was over and he would never touch her again, she tried desperately to restore their romance. "Abby, I may think of you softly from time to time. But I will cut off my hand before I'll ever reach for you again.” She claimed that she loved John and that he loved her. Before the play began, Abigail tried to kill Elizabeth with a curse. She thought that if Elizabeth were dead John would marry her. Further into the play, Abigail accused Elizabeth of witchcraft. She saw Marry Warren making a poppet. Mary put a needle into the doll, and Abigail used that for her accusation. She stabbed herself with a needle and claimed that
Elizabeth's soul had done it. Although Abigail claimed she loved John, she may have just loved the care and attention he gave her. John cared for her like no one else had. In a way he could be described as somewhat of a father figure to her.
When Abigail was just a child, she witnessed her parents' brutal murders. "I saw Indians smash my dear parents’ heads on the pillow next to mine..." After her traumatic experience, she was raised by her uncle, Reverend Parris. In the play it was said, "He was a widower with no interest in children, or talent with them”.Parris regarded children as young adults who should be "thankful for being permitted
John Proctor and his wife Elizabeth used to employ Abigail, until Elizabeth found out about the affair between her husband and Abigail. Immediately she threw Abigail out. Although John told Abigail that the affair was over and he would never touch her again, she tried desperately to restore their romance. "Abby, I may think of you softly from time to time. But I will cut off my hand before I'll ever reach for you again.” She claimed that she loved John and that he loved her. Before the play began, Abigail tried to kill Elizabeth with a curse. She thought that if Elizabeth were dead John would marry her. Further into the play, Abigail accused Elizabeth of witchcraft. She saw Marry Warren making a poppet. Mary put a needle into the doll, and Abigail used that for her accusation. She stabbed herself with a needle and claimed that
Elizabeth's soul had done it. Although Abigail claimed she loved John, she may have just loved the care and attention he gave her. John cared for her like no one else had. In a way he could be described as somewhat of a father figure to her.
When Abigail was just a child, she witnessed her parents' brutal murders. "I saw Indians smash my dear parents’ heads on the pillow next to mine..." After her traumatic experience, she was raised by her uncle, Reverend Parris. In the play it was said, "He was a widower with no interest in children, or talent with them”.Parris regarded children as young adults who should be "thankful for being permitted