Joseph McCarthy ruined over 205 people’s reputations by accusing them of being a communist. Reflecting on the crisis and the hysteria of the population, Arthur Miller wrote The Crucible to create parallel ties between McCarthyism and the Salem witch trials. In this play, he demonstrates the unsubstantiated accusations during the Salem witch trials. Abigail Williams, a deceiving, selfish girl, kindles the calamity of the people of Salem by accusing many innocent people of witchcraft. Since Abigail is motivated by jealousy, her decision to continually lie turns her into a manipulative character by the end of the play.
Abigail’s desire to be with John made her act in a jealous manner. As Abigail and John Proctor are visiting the “sick” Betty, Abigail speaks with Proctor trying to expose him to confess his love for her. As they speak, she becomes jealously cold towards his wife, Elizabeth Proctor, as she says, “Oh I marvel how such a strong man …show more content…
While being asked of any witchcraft occurring in the woods, Abigail dissembles to not raise any further suspicions of her. Instead, she accuses Tituba of her own actions as she states, “She made me do it. She made Betty do it” (1.847). As she frames other people for her actions, it is obvious she will go to any extent to have her way. Likewise, to have Elizabeth Proctor arrested, she tells the court Mrs. Proctor possesses a poppet doll that she uses to stab her. Cheever, the clerk of the court, speaks with John Proctor regarding Abigail. He then explains what had transpired to Abigail by declaring, “And he goes to save her, and, stuck two inches in the flesh of her belly, he draw a needle out. And demandin’ of her how she come to be so stabbed, she testify it were your wife’s familiar spirit pushed it in” (1.860). To clarify, Abigail’s deception of this credulous society allows her to influence many of the people she
Abigail’s desire to be with John made her act in a jealous manner. As Abigail and John Proctor are visiting the “sick” Betty, Abigail speaks with Proctor trying to expose him to confess his love for her. As they speak, she becomes jealously cold towards his wife, Elizabeth Proctor, as she says, “Oh I marvel how such a strong man …show more content…
While being asked of any witchcraft occurring in the woods, Abigail dissembles to not raise any further suspicions of her. Instead, she accuses Tituba of her own actions as she states, “She made me do it. She made Betty do it” (1.847). As she frames other people for her actions, it is obvious she will go to any extent to have her way. Likewise, to have Elizabeth Proctor arrested, she tells the court Mrs. Proctor possesses a poppet doll that she uses to stab her. Cheever, the clerk of the court, speaks with John Proctor regarding Abigail. He then explains what had transpired to Abigail by declaring, “And he goes to save her, and, stuck two inches in the flesh of her belly, he draw a needle out. And demandin’ of her how she come to be so stabbed, she testify it were your wife’s familiar spirit pushed it in” (1.860). To clarify, Abigail’s deception of this credulous society allows her to influence many of the people she