Similarities Between Abigail Williams And Elizabeth In The Crucible

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Recommended: John proctor character development

Joey McCanna
Ms. Fischetti
English 11 Hon. Period 6
19 October 2015
Influence
Sometimes the actions of one character can bring out an otherwise dormant violent side of another character. Such was the case with Elizabeth Proctor and Abigail Williams in The Crucible by Arthur Miller. Abigail acts as a foil and exposes Elizabeth’s true characteristics and personal traits. Through her dishonesty, Abigail exposes how honest and willing Elizabeth is to stand for what she knows she is right, and even in some cases lie to protect her husband John Proctor. Just the opposite, through Elizabeth's truthfulness, a dark and disgusting side of Abigail emerges.
Elizabeth Proctor and Abigail Williams are two very different people, not just by their age, but in the way they see right from wrong. Early in the play, Elizabeth discovered a secret affair between her husband, John Proctor, and their servant, Abby. This led Elizabeth to fire Abigail on the spot and continue with John. Elizabeth is done with Abby, claiming “I have forgot Abigail, and - And I”(Miller 54). Elizabeth wants to move on into the future, but Abigail is stuck in the past. …show more content…

In fact, when Elizabeth first removed Abigail, the whole endeavor between them started. Elizabeth’s devotion and love for her husband drove Abigail crazy. During a court hearing, Abby claims to see a bird on the rafters, and blames Mary Warren. Abigail wants so badly to put the blame on someone else, and we see this after Abigail can now be heard screaming “Oh please Mary, don’t come down”(Miller 114). Now Abigail is a ruined, just trying to take anyone she can down with her, and put all the blame on anyone but herself. Elizabeth’s devotion drove Abby to the edge, and shows just how desperate and dark Abby really is. When Abigail fails to get rid of Elizabeth, Elizabeth is able to expose how low of a character Abby really is through her love for her husband, and up until now,

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