Abigail is a character in the Crucible that is written by Arthur Miller. It is a play that was written in 1953 and considered among the most popular play. In the play, Abigail Williams plays the predominant role in the witch trials. From the play, one would sympathize with her since she is blamed with all the outcome of the play. Abigail is a young woman from Salem’s austere puritan society and is treated as a second class citizen. Second class citizens are expected to be silent and obedient. Abigail lives with Reverend Paris, an unjust and insensitive man. From the play, it is quite obvious that Abigail started all the mess; hence she is blamed for the outcome of the play.
Abigail comes from a society that is low in status, and when she had a chance to be in the limelight, she did not hesitate to grab it. People from Salem’s austere society tend to seek attention and recognition. This motivates Abigail to accuse innocent citizens as depicted in the play falsely. This is evident from the play as she lies almost to every character in the play. For example, she lies to Parris by telling him that, “We did dance, uncle, and when you leaped out of the bush so suddenly, Betty was frightened and then she fainted. And there’s the whole of it.” (pg. 10) Abigail also says, “But we never conjured spirits.” (pg. 10)
Abigail faces heartbreak in the play from her unrequited lover John Proctor. Abigail is a teenager, and it’s okay for her to want John for herself. She acts irrational, and her methods of winning John as her lover are horrible. Despite this, one sympathizes with her emotions and agrees to the fact that John plays a role inplays a role in Abigail decision to accuse Elizabeth falsely. It is evident in the play when Abigail drinks a charm to kill John’s wife.
Abigail is faced by Parris and Hale when they asked what was in the kettle the night they danced. Abigail tried lying to them by saying it was soup. “That was only soup.” (pg. 42) She continues to ask which type of soup it was. Abigail replies again saying, “Why, it was beans—and lentils, I think…” (pg. 42) Now forcing her to continue her lie, Parris claims that he had seen “movement in the soup.” (pg. 42) Abigail quickly tries to cover it up by blurting, “That jumped in, we never put it in!” (pg.42)
In conclusion, Abigail in The Crucible shows her young age has made her makes many mistakes in the play. It is evident that her mistakes are the main reason as to why she is blamed on the outcome of the play. She is young and stupid, and her decisions ensure she is entirely blamed for the way things turned up in the end. She gains support from Reverend Parris, Thomas Putnam, Reverend Hale, Deputy Governor Danforth, and Judge Hathorne who instead of searching for the truth, they support Abigail so that they can continue maintaining their positions.