Although Abigail Williams does not physically appear in Act II of The Crucible, her presence casts a long shadow over the act. She has a powerful influence over Salem. The town dynamics change and the social order is altered as Abigail Williams assumes more and more prestige. For instance, Elizabeth learns of Abigail’s newfound power and control in the town: “Abigail brings the other girls into the court, and where she walks the crowd will part like the sea for Israel. And folks are brought before them, and if they scream and howl and fall to the floor--the person’s clapped in the jail for bewitchin’ them” (Miller 1269). Abigail commands a gang of young girls who wield a dangerous and unchecked authority that lands many townspeople in jail.
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Reverend Parris caught Abigail and some other girls participating in witchcraft in the dark forest. Abigail has then begun to accuse people of witchcraft to save herself from the disgrace of participating in it. Elizabeth Proctor was one of the people accused of participating in witchcraft. Abigail Williams is in love with her husband, John Proctor, and wants to get rid of Elizabeth. “She wants me dead. I knew all week it would come to this!...and what of tomorrow? She will cry me out until they take me!” (Miller 1274). Abigail will do anything to get Elizabeth Proctor out of her way. Even before the accusations of Elizabeth, Abigail accuses Tituba of conjuring spirits with the girls in the woods. Abigail knows that she should not interact with witchcraft, and to cover her fall she blamed Tituba for manipulating her. Tituba is the Parris’ servant who has little respect in the society. Tituba is an easy target because she is colored and no one would believe her over Abigail Williams, the niece of the Reverend. Tituba and Elizabeth were not the only innocent people accused of witchery. Abigail has started a chain reaction, which started with Tituba and carried on to Sarah Good. Sarah is a beggar who lives in Salem and was accused of preforming witchcraft by Tituba. Tituba tries to save herself and throws Sarah Good under the bus, because she also has little to no position in the
Reverend Parris caught Abigail and some other girls participating in witchcraft in the dark forest. Abigail has then begun to accuse people of witchcraft to save herself from the disgrace of participating in it. Elizabeth Proctor was one of the people accused of participating in witchcraft. Abigail Williams is in love with her husband, John Proctor, and wants to get rid of Elizabeth. “She wants me dead. I knew all week it would come to this!...and what of tomorrow? She will cry me out until they take me!” (Miller 1274). Abigail will do anything to get Elizabeth Proctor out of her way. Even before the accusations of Elizabeth, Abigail accuses Tituba of conjuring spirits with the girls in the woods. Abigail knows that she should not interact with witchcraft, and to cover her fall she blamed Tituba for manipulating her. Tituba is the Parris’ servant who has little respect in the society. Tituba is an easy target because she is colored and no one would believe her over Abigail Williams, the niece of the Reverend. Tituba and Elizabeth were not the only innocent people accused of witchery. Abigail has started a chain reaction, which started with Tituba and carried on to Sarah Good. Sarah is a beggar who lives in Salem and was accused of preforming witchcraft by Tituba. Tituba tries to save herself and throws Sarah Good under the bus, because she also has little to no position in the