The Crucible Abigail Williams Foil

In 1692 many people in Salem, Massachusetts were tried and some hung on accusations of witchcraft. The people of Salem are faced with many hardships and turmoil. In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible he shows what life was like during these times in the town of Salem. Due to the witch trials and the people of Salem accusing everyone there were many people accused due to hatred. Abigail Williams is Elizabeth Proctor’s foil, meaning they are totally opposite and have a very hateful relationship.

Abigail Williams is the niece of the town preacher, Reverend Parris. She is also a part of a love triangle. She was the Proctor’s servant until she had an affair with John Proctor, husband of Elizabeth Proctor. Abigail’s personality can be described as

two faced, manipulative, and selfish. In line 97 she says, “I would never hurt Betty. I love her dearly.” She puts out the vibe that she is a loving and caring person and would never hurt anyone. But then in line 458 she goes on to tell the girls, “Let either of you breathe a word, or the edge of a word, about the other things, and I will come to you in the black of night and I will bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder you” We see here that obviously she is not as loving as she wants us to think towards the beginning. It’s easy for her to be loving and caring when she is not on the virge of being caught. But when she is about to be caught for being a witch, she starts to threaten her friends.

Elizabeth Proctor is the mother of two sons. She is married to John Proctor. She kicked Abigail out of the Proctor household after she found out that her husband and Abigail had an affair.