The Crucible
Differences make life interesting. In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, he points out how enjoyable different qualities can be in a story. Foil characters give a story an entertaining dynamic. There are bounteous foil characters in The Crucible, but the two that contrast the most just so happen to also have something in common. Elizabeth Proctor is honest, kind, and soft-spoken while Abigail Williams is a manipulative liar, ruthless, and emotionally unstable, making them completely different except for when it comes to their love for John Proctor.
In The Crucible Elizabeth rarely lies and is kind, but Abigail is great at misrepresenting the truth and is ruthless. One example of this is when John says, “In her life, sir, she have …show more content…
You mistake yourself, uncle” (Miller 140)! John Proctor, Elizabeth’s husband, tells everyone that Elizabeth never lies and Abigail says that no one was naked, but she later tells us that someone was. Also, Abigail uses her manipulative ways to make it seem like Rev. Parrish is confused. Another example of this is when Elizabeth sent a claim to Judge Danforth stating that she was pregnant (Miller 181) and when Abigail says, “I never sold myself! I’m a good girl! I’m a proper girl” (Miller 156)! When Elizabeth tells Judge Danforth that she is pregnant, she is not lying, but when Abigail tells her uncle, Rev. Parrish, that she is a honorable and proper girl, readers know that is a lie, because she had an affair with Mr. Proctor. An additional way Elizabeth and Abigail differ is that Elizabeth is kind and Abigail is ruthless. One example of this is when Elizabeth says, “Pray God. It hurt my heart to strip her, poor rabbit” (Miller 160) and when Abigail says, “I say shut it, Mary Warren” (Miller 144)! The first quote shows how kind Elizabeth is, because she feels bad that she had to kill a rabbit. …show more content…
One example of Elizabeth’s love is when John compliments their dinner and she blushes (Miller 160). This show that she loves him, because she only strives to please him. Also, she cares whether or not he likes her food. One example of Abigail’s love for John is when she says, “Give me a word, John. A soft word” (Miller 145). This quote shows her love, because she craves even the most elementary things from him. Her love for John is somewhat more lustful than Elizabeth’s. Another example of Elizabeth’s love for John is when Judge Danforth asks her if John was an adulterer and she says no (Miller 190). This shows her love, because Elizabeth never lies and in that moment the love for him is so great that she lies for him. Not only did she lie, but she lied in court and in a time period where people believed that lying would send you to Hell. Another example of Abigail’s love is when readers find out that Abigail charged Elizabeth with witchcraft (Miller 172-173). This shows her immense love for John, because she tries to get rid of his wife. She is young and naive, but she believes that if John’s wife is gone she can take her place. Even with all their divergence they are still relatable to one
Differences make life interesting. In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, he points out how enjoyable different qualities can be in a story. Foil characters give a story an entertaining dynamic. There are bounteous foil characters in The Crucible, but the two that contrast the most just so happen to also have something in common. Elizabeth Proctor is honest, kind, and soft-spoken while Abigail Williams is a manipulative liar, ruthless, and emotionally unstable, making them completely different except for when it comes to their love for John Proctor.
In The Crucible Elizabeth rarely lies and is kind, but Abigail is great at misrepresenting the truth and is ruthless. One example of this is when John says, “In her life, sir, she have …show more content…
You mistake yourself, uncle” (Miller 140)! John Proctor, Elizabeth’s husband, tells everyone that Elizabeth never lies and Abigail says that no one was naked, but she later tells us that someone was. Also, Abigail uses her manipulative ways to make it seem like Rev. Parrish is confused. Another example of this is when Elizabeth sent a claim to Judge Danforth stating that she was pregnant (Miller 181) and when Abigail says, “I never sold myself! I’m a good girl! I’m a proper girl” (Miller 156)! When Elizabeth tells Judge Danforth that she is pregnant, she is not lying, but when Abigail tells her uncle, Rev. Parrish, that she is a honorable and proper girl, readers know that is a lie, because she had an affair with Mr. Proctor. An additional way Elizabeth and Abigail differ is that Elizabeth is kind and Abigail is ruthless. One example of this is when Elizabeth says, “Pray God. It hurt my heart to strip her, poor rabbit” (Miller 160) and when Abigail says, “I say shut it, Mary Warren” (Miller 144)! The first quote shows how kind Elizabeth is, because she feels bad that she had to kill a rabbit. …show more content…
One example of Elizabeth’s love is when John compliments their dinner and she blushes (Miller 160). This show that she loves him, because she only strives to please him. Also, she cares whether or not he likes her food. One example of Abigail’s love for John is when she says, “Give me a word, John. A soft word” (Miller 145). This quote shows her love, because she craves even the most elementary things from him. Her love for John is somewhat more lustful than Elizabeth’s. Another example of Elizabeth’s love for John is when Judge Danforth asks her if John was an adulterer and she says no (Miller 190). This shows her love, because Elizabeth never lies and in that moment the love for him is so great that she lies for him. Not only did she lie, but she lied in court and in a time period where people believed that lying would send you to Hell. Another example of Abigail’s love is when readers find out that Abigail charged Elizabeth with witchcraft (Miller 172-173). This shows her immense love for John, because she tries to get rid of his wife. She is young and naive, but she believes that if John’s wife is gone she can take her place. Even with all their divergence they are still relatable to one