How does Miller present the character of Abigail Williams in Act One of “The Crucible”?
For this assignment I am going to give evidence and explanations for how Arthur Miller has presented the character Abigail Williams in “The Crucible”. The play is an allegory, this is because it contains a hidden meaning, for which in this case is in 1692 witch hunting was around and the play was written to criticise Joseph McCarthy’s methods towards communists. I think Miller named the play “The Crucible” because ‘crucible’ means a severe test as of patience or belief; this is an appropriate name for the play because in Salem many victims are accused of being a witch.
Abigail Williams the main character in The Crucible by Arthur Miller, draws the interest of the reader as she is a wicked, confident girl who lies to get what she wants and defends her name and her life. Abigail is a defensive girl. She is always defending her reputation and herself to get out of trouble. Abigail is an orphan, as she saw her parents get brutally murdered before her eyes this could affect her behaviour towards others. Abigail’s Uncle Paris feeds and clothes her. She was also expelled from the house by Goody Proctor; therefore she has little standing in village. After she was caught dancing in the woods, Parris questioned her name and she replied angrily, “Be no blush about my name." Later, when Hale was questioning Abigail about dancing in the woods, Abigail defends herself, "I didn't see no Devil", and she points to Tituba, taking herself out of the spotlight and trouble. Her relationship with John Proctor and her animosity to Goody Proctor also interest is as they are reasons why Elizabeth Proctor was accused as a witch and later the death of John. Abigail loved John but John only lusted because of strains in his marriage. When Elizabeth expelled Abigail, John gave up. This is shown when Abigail asked John."Give me a word, John. A soft word." John replies, “I will cut of my hand...