The Crucible Contrast What is something every person has but makes them different from everyone else, their personality. Throughout the play, The Crucible, we find many characters whose personality and intentions contradict with another character. These contrasting sets of characters are an example of the literary term called foil. Arthur Miller did a great job of creating these contradicting characters that keep the audience intrigued throughout the story. Abigail William and Elizabeth Proctor, for example, are two very different characters whose demeanor and motivations strongly contrast but yet they still have just as strong affect on each other. The loving wife, Elizabeth Proctor, is married to John Proctor whom she bears three young boys with. Elizabeth Proctor is a moral Christian women who stands strong in her faith. When questioning of her faith came up, Elizabeth says “I cannot think the Devil may own a woman's soul, Mr.Hale when she keeps an upright way, as I have.I am a good woman, I know it.” (66) this shows she is holds a strong faith with God and doesn’t see these ‘witch accusations’ as something to be sanctioned. Nevertheless Elizabeth’s position as a women in this time period isn’t very exalted. Woman are seen as the ones who are caretakers for their family and the ones who are supposed to do anything Abigail, the manipulative, selfish, vengeful, liar causes so much destruction in Salem because of her impulsive need to have John and power in her hands. Elizabeth, the loving, reasonable yet judgemental wife just wants to see the good in John even though their the bond was broken. Both of these women encountered stressful situations and tough decisions but their response is what makes up their personality. These two contradicting characters make up a large role in this play and continue to add a suspenseful taste that made the play much more
In the story Elizabeth feels that if John had been more loyal to her than the relationship with John and Abigail wouldn’t have been there. Like Elizabeth states on page (1055) “I think you should go to Salem”. What Elizabeth means by this is that she wanted
In act two of The Crucible, a poppet with a needle in it’s stomach is how Elizabeth is accused of stabbing Abigail. Abigail cannot let the affair she had with John Proctor seven months ago. She will do anything she can to get John Proctor for herself, even accusing Elizabeth of witchcraft. While Abigail Williams isn’t physically in act two, her dark shadow is noticed throughout the act causing trouble for the characters, especially Elizabeth Proctor.
Elizabeth Proctor was a stay at home wife and mother and was very loyal to her husband John Proctor. Although John had cheated on her in the past she didn’t let that interfere with the love she had for him. Elizabeth represents the frigid wife in “The Crucible”. Even though she loved her husband that didn’t keep her mind from wonders of evil thoughts. “Even seven months after Proctor’s confession of adultery, Elizabeth is unable to
She does everything that is physically possible to get rid of her. She drinks a charm to kill Elizabeth, she stabs herself with a needle to accuse Elizabeth of a crime, Abigail also accuses Elizabeth of being a witch. The whole play, those were the only intentions that Abigail had, exterminate Elizabeth Proctor. Even though John decided to attempt to make the court look differently at Abigail and see what she has done to many people in the city of Salem. The misleading trait that Abigail has, helps her get out of a rocky situation without harm. The threatening of the girls, drinking a charm, stabbing herself with a needle, and accusing Elizabeth Proctor of witchcraft are all the reasons that Abigail is also an evil individual. Abigail was the most misleading and evil character in the play written by Arthur Miller.
When faced with all the false accusations, she also exhibited grace, good judgment, and dignified behavior. Her case involves a love triangle between her, Abigail Williams and John Proctor. I couldn't imagine being in her shoes where you are forced to face both your internal dilemma of whether to forgive your husband and an external one. The jealousy and wickedness of a young girl who used to be Elizabeth’s husband’s mistress is the main reason why she is accused and charged. Abigail Williams childishly refuses to accept the truth when she was rejected by John Proctor. She plotted against his wife, Elizabeth, in a desperate attempt to take her husband and also, her place in the society as a mistress of a prospering home. Elizabeth Proctor bravely replies, “I cannot think the Devil may own a woman's soul, Mr. Hale, when she keeps an upright way as I have. I am a good woman, I know it; and if you believe I may do only good work in the world, and yet be secretly bound to Satan, then I must tell you I do not believe it.” when questioned by Reverend Hale. Furthermore, she exhibits a much greater strength and courage than her husband, despite her gentle and meek appearance. Elizabeth is the one who is not afraid to speak her mind openly and plainly and is not afraid to stand up to the judges. At one point she inspired her husband to act in a similar way when she openly challenged the doctrine. Elizabeth was the
Abigail Williams from Arthur Miller's play, The Crucible, relates to the song "Rolling In The Deep" by Adele because they both have issues with men who told them they loved them, and then ripped their hearts out.
1. What is the difference between a. and a. In The Crucible, two characters that serve as foil for each other are Elizabeth Proctor and Abigail. Elizabeth Proctor is known as an honest woman, while Abigail is consistently seen as a dishonest person whose lies result in the widespread paranoia of the Salem witch trials. For instance, after she dances in the forest with other girls, she forbids them from telling the townsfolk about it and accuses other people of witchcraft, which leads to their deaths. Another example is the fact that she had an affair with John Proctor, Elizabeth’s husband, and tried to conceal it because she did not want her reputation to get ruined.
The true antagonist of the play is the town of Salem itself, because of the judgemental and self concerned peoples, and its oppressive views. Abigail;s outrageous actions are due to her desensitized views on death and actions otherwise viewed as unethical. From her youth ABigail recalls: “ I saw indians smash my dear parents’ head on the pillow next to mine and i have seen some reddish work at night” (Miller 20), because of this Abigail is numb to death and suffering and is in fact quite morbid. There is no problem in condemning other to death in Abigail’s eyes because she doesn’t see the issue with it. Abigail does not seem to comprehend that it is unethical to let people be hanged and stoned to death and has no issue telling others that she “ can make you wish you had never seen the sun go down” (Miller 20). Not only is Abigail desensitized to murder and death, she is also numb to other unethical dilemmas. Abigail is desensitized to corrupting the Proctor’s marriage because of her childish lust and obsession for John Proctor. Such desires can be seen through her encounters with Proctor. In regards to their so called “relationship” she says: “it’s she put me out, you cannot pretend it were you. I saw your face when she put me out, and you loved me then and you love me now!” (Miller 22). Abigail does not view her behavior t...
When the play sets in action, John has had a past affair with his servant, Abigail Williams. His wife, Elizabeth Proctor, is very forgiving of his sin, but John has his mind set that he will not confess to anyone else, in fear of ruining his good name and reputation. The affair between John and Abigail causes the start of chaotic witchery and accusation. After the affair, Abigail becomes horribly jealous of Elizabeth Proctor. Proctor realizes there is only one way to stop all the witch hysteria in Salem, and that would be to admit to adultery which is considered a sin. . Also in the beginning R...
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.
How far would a typical person go just to keep their reputation clean? Two specific characters in the play The Crucible by, Arthur Miller, were involved with actions that would be considered terrible sins just to keep their name and reputation safe. Some ways which they were similar, and some ways which were different.
Abigail Williams is manipulative and wants everything to go her way. She is the main character and causes trouble everywhere she goes. The Salem Witch Trials is about hearings and prosecutions of people who were accused of witchcraft. In The Crucible Abigail is a no good villain. Abigail first commits adultery with Elizabeth’s husband.
Many novels contain a character who is placed in a situation that changes their development. The best or worst of their personality can emerge, as well as their attitude towards those around them. Crucibles can be individual tests and are noticeable in most literary pieces. Commiting a sin or allowing yourself to have all the power in a community, can cause a crucible in your life, or in a fellow individual’s life. In The Scarlet Letter, The Crucible, and Animal Farm , the protagonists experience a situation that alters their perspective of themselves and others.
John Proctor when they meet in a scene in act one. Although it as been
John Proctor faces many decisions in response to his moral dilemma to try to save his life. One of the difficult decisions John makes is to reveal that he had an affair with Abigail Williams and thereby has committed adultery. If the local court convicts him of this crime, he faces being jailed. Also by admitting this crime, John reveals a weakness in his character. This flaw in his personality will make it harder for him to stand up in the community as an honorable and believable person. In trying to convince others that witchcraft does not exist John’s dishonesty with his wife will make him less convincing to the community.