When her and John talked once before the real drama of the witchcraft had begun, she tried to convince Proctor of giving into her. She wanted him to leave his wife, his children, his land, just so she could be satisfied. He denied her offer, trying to make it plain and simple that he made a mistake and wanted no part of it anymore. This upsetted her is an understatement. As Reverend Hale comes into town, starting his investigation, he asks Abigail who conjured up spirits with the Devil and who “made” her drink the charm. Of course the only thing she could muster up was something to save her hind-end, stuttering “Tituba, Tituba…” (Miller, 156) That was the only the beginning of her selfish ways. When it came to the day that John Proctor had to be hanged, she fled, leaving her uncle, Reverend Parris, penniless. Betty had heard of her talking of boats and Parris figured she’d robbed him all thirty-one pounds and left.
To all the proof there is in the play, it is Abigail who is, for sure, the most to blame. She is most guilty and responsible for the witchcraft trials in The Crucible. It is unfortunate that the rope takes away many other lives, but not the most deserving one.
(Miller, Arthur. The Crucible. Viking Penguin,