Arthur Miller's The Crucible
Arthur Miller individualises characters through their style of speech
in many ways. Abigail Williams, one of the main characters, is a very
attractive young lady, as portrayed in the text. However, her
personality is bitter spiteful and vengeful. This has been shown by
the way Miller individualises her, through her speech.
Abigail is very bossy and has a lot of authority; "Uncle, the rumour
of witchcraft is all about: I think you'd best go down and deny it
yourself. The parlour's packed with people, sir. I'll sit with her".
She seems to take control in a stressful situation, and hence controls
people through their fear: "I think you'd best go down". Miller uses
this sentence, in order to portray Abigail as a very manipulative and
some-what controlling person.
Miller also exposes the fact that Abigail is very spiteful and
demanding. This is shown when Abigail is having an argument with her
uncle, Parris. "She hates me, uncle; she must, for I would not be her
slave. It's a bitter woman, a lying, cold, snivelling woman, and I
will not work for such a woman!" This shows how Abigail puts everyone
down, and tries to make out that she is the innocent victim in all the
chaos.
Another way Miller individualises Abigail, is the way she blames other
people to get her self out of trouble- "Not I, sir- Tituba and Ruth".
This shows how Miller puts across to the audience, the 'real' Abigail.
Yet again, Miller reveals Abigail as being manipulative and
controlling. "I have been hurt, Mr Danforth; I have seen my blood
runnin' out! I have been near to murder every day because I done my
duty pointing out the Devil's people- and this is my reward! To be
mistrusted, denied questioned like a-". This also shows how Abigail is
making everyone else feel sorry for her, as she has been doing the
right thing. This is effective as it again brings out the 'real'
Abigail, a cunning, sly, deceiving person.
Abigail Williams wants to protect herself, and hence confesses, as she
wants the same attention as Tituba, not to suffer, This shows her
selfishness as she doesn't want to get hung and therefore follows
Tituba's lead. "I want to open myself! I want the light of God; I want
the sweet love of Jesus!" Miller uses the word "open" to emphasise the
fact that Abigail doesn't want to just reveal herself, but "open" her.
This then shows the audience how overdramatic Miller makes Abigail.
In conclusion, I feel that Miller has effectively individualised
Abigail, as a self-centred, overdramatic, deceiving woman.
Mr Hale, another one of Miller's characters, however he is not as