Mary Warren was forced by John Proctor to speak the church about confessing/lying so Elizabeth could be back home with John. Abigail found out that all this was happening and she was mad, very mad. Most girls were afraid of Abigail because she was a threat to them. Abigail watched her parents die right in front of her, which scared the girls. Abigail also threatened the girls; she told them she would do horrible things if they ever turned on her.
As early as Scene one, we learn of the motives behind Abigail’s actions as she tries to get the girls to agree on a story to protect herself. She uses the threat of violence and their belief that she might know some real witchcraft, to keep them in line, “Let either of you breath a word, or the edge of a word, about the other things, and I will come to you in the black of some terrible night and I will bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder you... i can make you wish you had never seen the sun come
This is proven when Hester remarks to herself, "Oh Father in heaven - if thou art still my father - what is this being which I have brought into the world" (Hawthorne 89).Thirdly, Pearl represents the sins of both Hester and Dimmesdale. Proven when, Hester realizes what Pearl represents when she does not hold Pearl up in front of the "A”; she carries the child around because it is a direct reflection of her sin. Hester is, "wisely judging that one token of her shame would but poorly serve to hide another" (Hawthorne 48). Pearl in many ways is the scarlet letter. First, the scarlet letter amuses Pearl, and also controls her behavior.
Once Tituba confessed to witchcraft, Abigail joined in by accusing others of witchcraft so the negative attention would not be on the girls. Once Abigail started accusing people, Betty woke up from her “infinite” sleep and joined in along with the other girls. When the trials began, it was Abigail who kept the charade going by pretending that the accused were casting their spirits upon her and the other girls in the court room. Abigail led the girls by crying out in pain, pretending to see things and shivering. When the affair with John Proctor almost came up, Abigail was quick to turn on whoever went against
Abigail Williams is a seventeen year old, strikingly beautiful orphan girl and the niece of Mr. Parris. Abigail’s problems/concerns is that she accuses others of witchcraft and wants Elizabeth Proctor the wife of John Proctor, a local farmer, dead so she can take her place in everything Elizabeth does including being John Proctor’s wife. This obsession to take Elizabeth as his wife developed after them sleeping together. For example there was a statement made by John Proctor stated, “she wishes my wife dead and me and her dance on my wife’s grave.” When Abigail first entered the story I thought she
She instantly jumps to the conclusion that witchcraft is afoot, which is apparent when she states “Mark it for a sign, mark it!” when Betty thrashes in her “trance.” She is also paranoid by the fact that there must be some paranormal reason as to why her babies have perished. And it is these traits that differentiate her from Abigail. This use of contrast by Miller emphasizes the characterization of the two characters. But it is Rebecca Nurse who stands out among this crowd. Both Abigail and Mrs. Putnam are bitter and to a certain extent spiteful yet Rebecca Nurse carries none of these mannerisms.
In the novel The Scarlet Letter by Nathanial Hawthorne, the protagonist of the novel Hester Prynne finds herself making critical decisions. It is said that the choice’s one makes defines our character. The beautiful and spirited Hester Prynne is misled by temptation and commits adultery. The community condemns Hester by forcing her to wear a letter “A” for adulterer, and they publicly shame her. The Puritans frown upon Hester and Pearl, the product of Hester’s sin.
The trials start, in which the girls act as though they have a direct connection to God, led by the now powerful Abigail. Townsfolk soon have suspicions of Miss Williams affair with John, Abigail finds this power she has and takes advantage of it. One accusation against even the most well-respected villagers accused of devil worship was prosecuted. Abigail is convinced that after her affair with John Proctor, that he is in love with her, her jealousy of his wife and desire for him gets out of hand, she is labelled a “whore” and a “harlot”. John Proctor – John is an honest, blunt-spoken, good man with a temper.
I never knew what pretense Salem was, I never knew the lying lessons I was taught by all these Christian women and their covenanted men! And now you bid me tear the light out of my eyes?” (Act 1) This moving scene effectively illustrates the theme of purification. Abigail confesses her love for proctor, and also expresses her fascination. Proctor has changed towards her and she can’t accept the fact that he wants her to
While lying with Betty, she warns the other girls, “If anyone breathe a word or the edge of a word about the other things, I will come to you in the black of some terrible night” (). However, when the news of her and the other girl's strange actions spreads like wildfire, the hysteria sets in. Abigail only contributes to the hysteria, though. She makes up lie after lie just to conceal her wrongdoing. She even pretends to see Mary Warren take the shape of a yellow bird while in court just to take the focus off her and John’s affair.