How is abigail williams developed
Arthur Miller has developed Abigail throughought the play, accordingly, to suit her role: the young antagonist. As the play progresses we find that she is utterly ruthless and persistently egocentric in order to accomplish her intentions no matter how distressing the impact on others. She is the driving force and sole instigator of each traumatic event in the play.
Miller swiftly introduces us to the ‘strikingly beautiful girl’ who has ‘an endless capacity for dissembling’. This already gives the interpretation that she portrays a strong presence and this is very much apparent as she is established as a domineering, deceitful and manipulative character right from the opening scene. At this time, witchcraft rumours in Salem were rife; Abigail assertively denies,to her uncle, conjuring spirits in the forest.(This is regardless of the fact her social position is just above those of social outcasts)
Sunsequently Abigail implores,assertively to her uncle
“But we never conjoured spirits” and “it were sport uncle!” By using an exclamative as well as coupling these repetitive short sentences closely together Miller highlights Abigail’s persuasive desperation of eliminating Parris’ suspicions. She manipulates lies unabashedly protect her own reputation However, at the same time, this is juxtaposed by stage directions which show her to be ‘quavering as she sits’ and ‘innocent’. Ostensibly these actions support her ‘dissembling’ manner and as the play proceeds we find abigail’. cunningly to conceal her guilty conscience
However, this foreshadows what is later revealed: as a child Abigail ‘’saw Indians smash my Dear Parents heads on the pillow next to mine’’. The audience thus gains an insight into a traumatic childhood; this seemingly justifies where her callous nature has stemmed from. Miller has structurally placed this quote nearer the start of the play to allow readers to evoke some sympathy for her. Nevertheless, having already gained an insight into her bitter
Miller swiftly introduces us to the ‘strikingly beautiful girl’ who has ‘an endless capacity for dissembling’. This already gives the interpretation that she portrays a strong presence and this is very much apparent as she is established as a domineering, deceitful and manipulative character right from the opening scene. At this time, witchcraft rumours in Salem were rife; Abigail assertively denies,to her uncle, conjuring spirits in the forest.(This is regardless of the fact her social position is just above those of social outcasts)
Sunsequently Abigail implores,assertively to her uncle
“But we never conjoured spirits” and “it were sport uncle!” By using an exclamative as well as coupling these repetitive short sentences closely together Miller highlights Abigail’s persuasive desperation of eliminating Parris’ suspicions. She manipulates lies unabashedly protect her own reputation However, at the same time, this is juxtaposed by stage directions which show her to be ‘quavering as she sits’ and ‘innocent’. Ostensibly these actions support her ‘dissembling’ manner and as the play proceeds we find abigail’. cunningly to conceal her guilty conscience
However, this foreshadows what is later revealed: as a child Abigail ‘’saw Indians smash my Dear Parents heads on the pillow next to mine’’. The audience thus gains an insight into a traumatic childhood; this seemingly justifies where her callous nature has stemmed from. Miller has structurally placed this quote nearer the start of the play to allow readers to evoke some sympathy for her. Nevertheless, having already gained an insight into her bitter