The Crucible

10/5/01

In writing short stories, novels, or plays, there are certain standards the writer comes to meet. He will choose a basic story element to go by; either man versus nature, man versus man, or man versus himself. Then, a setting that is appropriate to the writer is chosen, a place where the writer envisions the story happening. Inevitably the characters are introduced one by one, and the writer tries to convey their personality and instill a mental image for the reader. There have always been the heroes, the villains and the victims. Any story can revolve particularly around any of these, but often they all have roles that create equilibrium in the plot. However, in The Crucible, Arthur Miller did not need to create any such characters. In writing a play based on a historical period of time and the actual Salem Witch Trials, he had no trouble depicting the lowly characters, for they existed. The most wicked one of all, the ringleader and cause of all the deaths, happens to be a teenage girl.

When the inhabitants of Salem first begin questioning her, Abigail Williams tells them that Tituba was influencing her into ways of corruption; “She makes me laugh at prayer!” (Miller 44). Tituba is very much innocent of such accusations, however the townspeople threaten her with hanging if she does not “confess.” In order to save her life, she does give in and “confess” by telling them that she had seen the devil, and satisfying them in the lie. Abigail also convinces the court that Mary Warren sends her spirit out in a cold wind, and also assumes the body of a bird. Finally, she stabs herself and proclaiming it a work of voodoo by Elizabeth Proctor. Abigail Williams accuses all of these people with only two things in mind. One of them is her desperate desire to be in the spotlight at all times. ealthy motives are the reasons for the murdering of innocent people.

Abigail Williams’ main cause for her wild accusations is a selfish one. It is to be with John Proctor, a married man with whom she has an affair. She is sent away but all she thinks of is being reunited with him. Abigail drinks blood, wishing to be with John Proctor, which could happen only if his wife Elizabeth died. She then, after committing adultery and contributing to the breaking of a marriage, is not through. Abigail pursues John and does not recognize that the affair