How Does Abigail Williams Use Power In The Crucible

Many characters lie, which include John Proctor, Abigail Williams, Reverend Parris, and many others. All these characters have what they feel, is a logical reason for lying, but the question why do people lie to others and themselves, is something to ponder while reading the play. People lie to themselves to make them feel better about their own lives and people lie to others to cover up something they may be ashamed of. One reason people lie to themselves is to make them feel better about their own life and what they 're going through. Abigail is reprimanding the girls for saying things about witchcraft she doesn 't approve of.

Mary was afraid of Abigail Williams and didn’t tell the truth fearing that Abigail would hurt her. While, she developed as a character and made better choices for herself. Acts 3 and 4 she attempted to help John try to accuse Abigail Williams of lying about witchcraft in the court. “I-I promise you, Mr.Danforth, I only thought I saw them but I did not’.”(Miller 100). At that point in time Mary Warren and John Proctor both tried to prove Abigail Williams and the other girls of faking it until, act 4 when she backstabbed John Proctor and made her own claim that John Proctor was satan.”You’re the devil’s man.” (Miller 110).

. I want the light of God, I want the sweet love of Jesus! I danced for the Devil; I saw him, I wrote in his book; I go back to Jesus; I kiss His hand. I saw Sarah Good with the

Nurse Ratched, known for her strict rules and manipulation to get what she wants, eventually plays into McMurphy’s games which ultimately have a negative effect on her and blind her decisions later on. After Chief and McMurphy get in a scuffle with an orderly, Nurse Ratched suggests electroshock therapy, but gives McMurphy an opportunity to avoid the treatment by “admitting he was wrong” (242). McMurphy arrogantly declines, frustrating Nurse Ratched to the point where she shocks him continually until it’s not safe to do so. By letting Mcmurphy get the best of her emotions, Nurse Ratched’s conscience is blurred by her frustration, a negative impact brought upon by McMurphy’s arrival. However, Nurse Ratched’s sudden distaste for McMurphy didn;t always directly happen to him.

The contention between the characters have intensified as the argument escalates, and Proctor's failure at pinning the blame on Abigail has frustrated him. When Abigail begins another self righteous fit of possession and calls upon Heaven, Proctor can no longer stand her hypocrisy. He cries out in a “roaring voice” “breathless and in agony: It is a whore!” (Miller 109, 110). Proctor is now confessing, “his shame great” of when he committed adultery with Abigail (Miller 110). Although Proctor is incriminating himself, he is trying to reveal Abigail’s true character and motives to Danforth.

Hale has a strong belief of witchcraft and that the devil is present in the village of Salem. When questioning Tituba about witchcraft, Hale truly believes that she has seen the devil and that she can see who has conjured with him: “ You are God’s instrument put in our hands to

. . . I want the light of God, I want the sweet love of Jesus! I danced for the Devil; I saw him, I wrote in his book; I go back to Jesus; I kiss His hand.

The girls had to act fast in order to save themselves from getting into trouble because, in their community, their actions were considered sinful and immoral. In the desperate act of self-preservation, Abigail began to accuse others of being witches. Abigail Williams is anything but a good person. Although she tries to make everyone believe she is virtuous, she portrays many characteristics of being the complete opposite. Abigail is deceptive/mendacious, conniving, and manipulative.

However, something happens. Mary Warren changes her bearing and accuses that John Proctor is the evil man. Then, Proctor thinks if he admits to the affair, Abigail can be proved to be a liar. In that case, his wife will be fine. On the other hand, if Proctor admits to the affair, his good name cannot keep any more.

However, as the whole incident becomes out of control, he realizes something is wrong. Hale points out to the judge, “I may shut my conscience to it no more—private vengeance is working through this testimony! (Holt p.1150)” Hale does not keep silence when he discovers that the whole incident is a hysteria starts by a girl who wants private vengeance. In the play, Corey also stands out to point out the flaws of the whole witch hunt incident. Despite the risk of being accused, Corey stands out to accuse Thomas Putnam of encouraging his daughter to accuse George Jacobs in order to get his land.