Comparison of Elizabeth Proctor with Abigail Williams in Arthur Miller's The Crucible

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Comparison of Elizabeth Proctor with Abigail Williams in Arthur Miller's The Crucible

Abigail Williams and Elizabeth Proctor, the leading female characters

in 'The Crucible'. Both show determination in order to get what they

want. Abigail, a cunning girl that is out for revenge, feels she has

superiority over many of the other characters even though she is only

a young girl. Elizabeth's character portrays a wife in distress after

she finds out about her husband's affair, yet she still has courage

throughout the play. She shows determination when she is in need of

strength to keep her going, after Abigail accused her of witchcraft.

Elizabeth is often cold and not open towards people yet she changes as

the novel progresses.

Abigail accuses her friends and the townspeople of witchcraft; her

motivations for turning against her friends are mainly because of

Elizabeth Proctor. Abigail had an affair with Elizabeth's husband,

which made Elizabeth fire Abigail. Abigail is in love with John and

while talking to him she says,

"I wake and walk about the house as though I'd find you comin' through

some door" (Act I).

This illustrates her love towards John and that she will never forget

their affair and how Elizabeth broke them up. Abigail shows much

dislike for Elizabeth in the play and says to John

"She is blackening my name in the village!" (Act 1).

Once the town hears rumours of this affair they shun Abigail. This

disengagement makes Abigail seek vengeance towards them; accusing many

people of witchcraft. Abigail is a strong and determined character;

she manipulates people to get herself out of her own trouble. After

being acc...

... middle of paper ...

... can be. Although she wants her

husband to live. Elizabeth knows that John has to make the decision

for himself; this also exhibits why she is thought of as a strong

character in the play.

Both Elizabeth and Abigail are strong characters in the play; they are

significant women and affect the outcome of the piece immensely.

Elizabeth lets her husband decided to live or die, which shows great

courage and strength. Abigail shows determination to get what she

wants. She is able to manipulate the townspeople and she can accuse

them of witchcraft, which enables her to get revenge on the people

that have done her wrong. Both Elizabeth and Abigail can be portrayed

at strong female characters in 'The Crucible' by the actions that

occur in the play.

Work Cited:

Miller, Arthur. The Crucible. New York: Penguin Books, 1996.

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