The Twisted Mind of Abigail Williams
The Twisted Mind of Abigail Williams
Arthur Miller was one of many people brought in front of a congressional committee during the McCarthy Trials of the 1950s. The “Red hunt” for Communists that was taking place in Washington, D.C. brought parallels to the Salem Witch Trials of the late 1600s. The Salem Witch Trials, which were depicted by Arthur Miller in his play The Crucible, sought the people of Salem, Massachusetts who were affiliated with the Devil. One of the characters from the play, a young girl named Abigail Williams, provoked the search of witches when she wanted to escape the punishment of dancing in the forest. It was her plan to find a scapegoat to blame for her own acts. Abigail used her credibility, jealousy, and selfishness to change the village of Salem to a place of wrongful accusations and back stabbings.
Throughout the entire play, Abigail’s credibility helped herself to be believed by the people of the village. The question of Abigail’s truthfulness never arose until late in the play. The first time Abigail admitted to having danced for the Devil, she states many names of women whom she said were affiliated with the Devil. Thomas Putnam earnestly replied, “The marshal, I’ll call the marshal!” (849). Also Reverend Hale said, “Let the Marshal bring irons!” (849), further proving the townspeople’s belief in Abigail’s accusations. Later while in court, Abigail says, “…I done my duty pointing out the Devil’s people – and this is my reward? To be mistrusted, denied, questioned like a -,” (872). The court official to whom she was speaking to, Judge Danforth, only replied by assuring Abigail that he trusts her, “Child, I do not mistrust you –,” (872). Abigail’s credibility in Salem not only easily persuaded the gullible townspeople, but also allowed her to be believed when naming “guilty” parties.
Looking further, Abigail’s jealousy warped her mind into doing whatever necessary to take John Proctor away from Goody Proctor. Before the setting of the play, Abigail worked as a servant to the Proctors. After time, Goody Proctor started to mistrust Abigail and even her own husband because of rumors of an affair they were having together. Later, Goody proctor fired Abigail, which made her furious because she could not be with John. After realizing she had the power to accuse anyone Abigail accused Goody Proctor. John, who no longer wanted to have anything to...