The powerless can attempt to become powerful by working in unison and taking advantage of the emotions of others. Throughout history, leaders have gained their strengths by influencing the fears and beliefs of people in society. Even in the Salem Witch Trials, the ones who were originally the most subservient, the female children, gained dominance through trickery and immoral actions. They lacked authority because of their social status as females and children, but rose in power through devious methods. In Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible, Abigail Williams and the other girls gained power by igniting the first sparks of fear in the minds of the townspeople, and because they are the only ones who appear to hold the answers that may end the
…show more content…
The people of Salem believe Abigail’s information and accusations she provides because Abigail is their only source of information, and there is absolutely no one who can counter her claims and disprove the unknown. Towards the end of Act 1, Abigail pretends that she “danced for the Devil” and that she “wrote in his book” so Reverend Hale will continue to believe Abigail’s absurd accusations against the townspeople (48). As the trouble-making Abigail realizes that the townspeople will believe anything she says, she begins to abuse this sudden source of power, accusing many in the town, even when they have not done anything wrong. Abigail gains Hale’s trust as well and knows that by claiming she was in contact with the Devil, Hale will first come to her for answers regarding witchcraft. Abigail is originally a female servant with a low voice in the town of Salem, but as power shifts to herself, she suddenly becomes a powerful accuser in the Salem court …show more content…
In Salem, voices that originally account for absolutely nothing
Stavila 4 suddenly become the main focus and talk of the town. This is achieved when the trouble-making girls take advantage of the townspeople’s religious fears, giving those who were originally vulnerable a new power unlike any other in Salem. In past history, the world has seen the largely negative effects of immense shifts in power due to religious manipulation, and the Salem witch trials are no exception. When the powerless are suddenly empowered, society must stand by reason instead of putting faith in the supporters of fear and the
The people of Salem believe Abigail’s information and accusations she provides because Abigail is their only source of information, and there is absolutely no one who can counter her claims and disprove the unknown. Towards the end of Act 1, Abigail pretends that she “danced for the Devil” and that she “wrote in his book” so Reverend Hale will continue to believe Abigail’s absurd accusations against the townspeople (48). As the trouble-making Abigail realizes that the townspeople will believe anything she says, she begins to abuse this sudden source of power, accusing many in the town, even when they have not done anything wrong. Abigail gains Hale’s trust as well and knows that by claiming she was in contact with the Devil, Hale will first come to her for answers regarding witchcraft. Abigail is originally a female servant with a low voice in the town of Salem, but as power shifts to herself, she suddenly becomes a powerful accuser in the Salem court …show more content…
In Salem, voices that originally account for absolutely nothing
Stavila 4 suddenly become the main focus and talk of the town. This is achieved when the trouble-making girls take advantage of the townspeople’s religious fears, giving those who were originally vulnerable a new power unlike any other in Salem. In past history, the world has seen the largely negative effects of immense shifts in power due to religious manipulation, and the Salem witch trials are no exception. When the powerless are suddenly empowered, society must stand by reason instead of putting faith in the supporters of fear and the