The Crucible: Abigail Williams Essay

Abigail Williams: Niece, Friend, Witch of Salem
In Arthur Millers play “The Crucible”, a gaggle of teenage girls essentially take over the small town of Salem, turning the once peaceful town into a bitter blame-fest. There are very few rules and even fewer exceptions when this throng of conniving chooses their victims who are relatively powerless. The victims’ choices: Lie, ruin their reputation and befoul their soul for lying but be spared the noose or, they can either deny it or stay silent, in both situations they would be hanged for a witch: “ ‘Hale: Mister, I have myself examined Tituba, Sarah Good, and numerous others that have confessed to dealing with the Devil. They have confessed it.’ ‘Proctor: And why not, if they must hang for denying it? There are them that will swear to anything before they hang--’ ̋ (Miller 68) The high monarch for this anarchy, the head-honcho for this willing ignorance, no one other than Abigail “Abby” Williams. A lying, plotting, merciless temptress (in John Proctors case) Abigail Williams is the only, true witch of Salem.
Abigail’s reign of terror and deceit begin when her and her friends venture late in the night into the woods, to dance with Tituba, a slave from Barbados. That is already two strikes against them because: a) the woods are strictly off limits for they are believed to be Satan’s hiding place, his last refuge and b) because of their puritan beliefs, one must be either working or praying, doing Gods will, reading the bible, going to church, etc. Anything else will either be dubbed as laziness or unchristian (Satan worshiping, spirit conjuring, witchcraft etc.) most likely the latter, ergo dancing was considered unchristian. But Abigail, she has an added 2 counts on her record. Not only was she dancing in the woods but also she drank blood to put a charm on Goody Proctor to kill her so she could be with John Proctor who she had an affair with: “ Betty: ‘You drank blood Abby! You didn’t tell him that!’ Abigail:...