Abigail Williams and Mary Warren in The Crucible (Play Analysis)

Sully foils Mike Wazowski in the movie Monsters Inc. because Sully is tough and stern while Mike is silly and weak. A foil in literature is defined as a character who contrasts a second character to reveal information. Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible uses the literary device to contrast the characters Abigail Williams and Mary Warren, Reverend Hale and Reverend Parris, Thomas Putnam and John Proctor. 

Abigail Williams and Mary Warren are foils in Aruther Miller’s play, The Crucible because of their differences in power and ethics. “And mark this- let either of you breathe a word or the edge of a word about other things, and I will come to you in the black of some terrible night and I will bring to you a pointing reckoning that will shudder you” demonstrates Abby’s power over the young girls from the forest (575). While Mary Warren’s thoughts “we must tell the truth, Abby” has less of an effect over the girls from the forest (575). This comparison shows the difference in power the girls have in society. Even though Abigail puts on a front for the world that she’s a good, honest girl she blamed the drinking blood on Tibita “she made me do it! She made Betty do it” (592). “I am bound by law, I cannot tell it” Mary Warren puts on the same face to the world as she does when in private (608). Abigail and Mary’s ethics are on opposite sides of the spectrum. In The Crucible, Abigail Williams foils Mary Warren because of their differences in power and ethics. 

The literary device foil is used to develop the plot of the play The Crucible with the characters Reverend Hale and Reverend Parris because of their differences in motive and how they use their power. “I am a stranger here, as you know. And in my ignorance, I find it hard to draw a clear opinion of them that come accused before the court. And so this afternoon, and now tonight, I go from house to house….I come from Rebecca Nurse’s house”  Reverend Hale is a compassionate man who wants to do good in his position (612). While Reverend Parris’ need to maintain his reputation and shows his real motive for doing his job; social acceptance “I saw it! Now tell me true, Abigail. Now my ministry‘s at stake; my ministry and perhaps your cousin‘s life.....whatever abomination you have done, give me all of it now, for I dare not be taken unaware when I go before them down there” (568). Justin Block explains the use of power “But in some cases that power can lead to wrongful convictions” (Duke LaCrosse Case). Applying this to The Crucible, Reverend Hale used his power in the play to do his best for the situation at hand and get people out of the conviction of witchcraft. The power Reverend Parris had was used for his benefit eventually leading to people being convicted of witchcraft in which they didn’t commit. Reverend Hale and Reverend Parris are two characters in The Crucible that foil each other because of their motive and how they used their power. 

Thomas Putnam foils John Proctor in the play The Crucible because of their differences in self absorption and honesty . “How may we blame ourselves? I am one of nine sons; the Putnam seed have peopled this province. And yet I have but one child left of eight-and now she shrivels” demonstrates Thomas Putnam's selfishness (581). Thomas is more concerned with the Putnam name than his daughter who is mysteriously not waking. Compared to John Proctor who would risk his life to save Elizabeth’s “my wife will never die for me. I will bring your guts into your mouth, but that goodness will not die for me”(624). “I have confessed myself! Is there no good penitence but it be public? God does not need my name nailed upon the church! God sees my name, God knows how black my sins are! It is enough” demonstrates John’s honesty even though in doing so he is destined for hell because adultery is a sin (676). Putnam shows his dishonesty  “He had no right to sell it! It stands clear in my grandfathers will that all the land between the river” (584). These facts prove that Thomas Putnam foils John Proctor in the play The Crucible.

Abigail Williams and Mary Warren, Reverend Hale and Reverend Parris, Thomas Putnam and John Proctor all foil each other in Aruther Miller’s play The Crucible. Oil and water describes the difference between Abigail and Mary’s power and ethics. Reverend Hale and Reverend Parris are an angel and a devil when comparing their motive and how they use their power. Thomas Putnam is Pinocchio while John Proctor is Honest John. Based on the information provided it is proven that these characters in The Crucible all foil each other revealing information for the plot.