Abigail Williams in The Crucible Literary Analysis Essay

In 1953, Arthur Miller presented The Crucible, a story with tragic events in which he used the character Abigail Williams to convey the features of the modern world that we live in. Williams, worked at the Proctor’s home as a servant/Maid. John Proctor, a hard working and stubborn man, began to grow apart from his wife. Abigail and John eventually began to long for each other, so they slept together, resulting in Abigail's termination. Abigail had fallen madly in love with John however there was just one thing in Abigail’s way, his wife Elizabeth. Abigail sees a great opportunity and accused Elizabeth.This unfortunate love-hate affair caused a series of deaths and proves throughout the story that Abigail’s Lust for John were one of the factors that started the salem witch trials.

 “I know how you clutched my back behind your house and sweated like a stallion whenever I came near! Or did I dream that? It’s she who put me out, you cannot pretend it were you. I saw your face  when she put me out, you loved me then and you love me now”-Abigail Williams, This quote shows just how much Abigail wanted and longed for John even after the affair. This affair was the motivation for the Salem witch trials. “John-I am waitin’ for you every night”-Abigail Williams, some say that love is blind in this case one has to believe it. Abigail would not see the truth that John can not be hers again. Abigail was furious, enraged by  the fact John chose to stay with his wife Elizabeth. Abigail was desperate, willing to do whatever it takes to have John.

Hypocrisy is defined as the practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's own behavior does not conform; pretense. Is that a crime, no but if it were it would be one Abigail would be guilty of. “She is blackening my name in the village! She is telling lies about me! She is a cold sniveling woman, ...”- Abigail Williams. This quote refers to Elizabeth, Abigail is saying she is telling lies around the town when really it is Abigail, spreading lies around the town about Elizabeth. This would not  have been an issue if John and Abigail never had an affair. This quote was said to cover up the rumors about Abigail's termination and to keep her own credibility and her good name.

“Oh mary this is drak art to change your shape, I cannot stop my mouth it is God's work i do”- Abigail williams. There are actually two things in this quote. The first thing Abigail did not believe is these dark arts that she speaks of. Abigail had told John earlier that Salem did not have a witch problem and that it was all nonsense.The second thing is that Abigail claims to be doing the work of god when truly she is making this entire thing up.When going against Abigail one must have one thing on their side, luck, this is something that Mary Warren did not have, Mary is a person who is easily swayed by others, she went against Abigail's claims and was accused of witchcraft just like the others. Therefore, her claim was abandoned because she was afraid that people might say or think that Mary admitted witchcraft. Mary's confession only made matters worse and Abigail knew that Mary would bend under the pressure of the accusations. Because Abigail said this quote it gave the trials some sort of justification to continue this crazed hunt for something they couldn't find.

The third and final flaw of Abigail Williams is  her lack of remorse and her willingness to do whatever it takes. “I saw Sarah Good with the devil! I saw Goody Osborn with the devil! I saw Bridet Bishop with the devil!”-Abigail Williams. This is Abigail's first accusation but it is one of the most important pieces of evidence. In this quote you can really see who she is  : a cold manipulative person. Abigail blames three other people to save herself. Throwing three innocent people to a blood thirst court who at the time had no choice but to act on those accusations. This quote also resulted in the death of three people.

“I don’t my duty pointing out the devil's people -ant this is my reward to be mistreated ,denied,questioned like a-”- Abigail Williams. Abigail referred to the victims as the devils people not realizing the problems and lives she has caused all for what?, A man? Abigail was so determined to have John that it cost the lives of 6 people not including her beloved, John procter. John died a noble man protecting his name and dignity for his pregnant wife and children to live on and have a life unscaved from the negative reputation that would have plagued his family most likely for the rest of their lives. What would you do for the person you longed for or loved? How far would you go to protect your reputation and dignity?

In conclusion Arthur Miller presented The Crucible, a story with tragic events in which he used the character Abigail Williams to convey the features of the modern world that we live in. The story  The Crucible is a reflection of the world today. It is up to us what character we portray. We as a society believe everything that we hear and we judge and prosecute others. In the end we all are a little bit like Abigail Williams and the world is like Salem and It is full of witches.