The Crucible

Introduction:
As much as Abigail Williams, Elizabeth and John proctor may sound different,
they are similar in more ways then they are given the recognition or credit of. Thesis:
Abigail, John, and Elizabeth all want complete freedom and are not very calm, they all
want the quality life and have no controversies in life.

Body Paragraph #1: Abigail Williams

TS: Abigail was a manipulative leader. She was the heart and soul of the Salem witch
trials. She could be considered as a hero, for giving people reasons for their problems and
bringing in hope in their life. On the other hand she could be considered a Villain or a
victim.
CD: Abigail denies any witchcraft and claims she and the girls were simply dancing.
CD: Abigail threatens the other girls to prevent them from revealing what really
happened in the forest the last night.
CM: Abigail Williams is an unofficial leader of the group of the girls dancing and doing
other activities in the forest. Abigail is very smart at plotting and directing others with
force, and manipulating them with the condition of fear. Nowadays young people may
reflect to her as a gangster leader, who basically threatens people to join them or face the
consequences. We also have to remember that at that time most of the people were easily
swayed and especially the kids, because of all the rules enforced upon them, they never
felt like they could argue anyone.
CD: Abigail says Tituba’s name as to one of the evidence of witchcraft.
CD: She tells stories of fear and dreams that are enticed by Tituba.
CM: Once again Abigail finds a way out of trouble using her exceptional creative mind of
her. When she said Tituba’s name I was shocked that at that point of time under the strict
religion of Puritans, she actually had the guts to not only lie but lead many other young
girls to lie along with her. This also tells us how mean she can get. To save herself she
can put other’s life in danger.
CD: Abigail informs the court that Elizabeth is a witch.
CD: Abigail accused Mary Warren of witchcraft.
CM: Abigail has no fear left in herself now, she can basically pick anyone she doesn’t
like and accuse them of witchcraft. Abigail would do anything for her love. She does not
act like a young girl, she acts more like someone who wishes of a quality life.
CS: She obviously is proven to be a good liar, already breaking one of the Puritan’s rules.
She is a victim of the society. She wants a better life, for that she uses the power of
accusing of witchcraft, something that wasn’t even brought by her but the society. She
understands how ignorant the society is, and uses their weaknesses in order to save
herself.

Body paragraph #2: Elizabeth proctor

TS: A good but not a satisfying Puritan. She is a mother, caring and loving, but at times
very cold.
CD: She told him to go and tell Abigail that what occurred was nothing but sex.
CD: She doubts her husband’s feeling towards Abigail.
CM: Elizabeth tried her best to convince John Proctor to go and finish the relationship he
had with Abigail. She thinks her relationship is hindered even though John himself
admitted the relationships between her and Abigail.
CD: Elizabeth cooperated in her arrest.
CD: Elizabeth is pregnant.
CM: This shows us that she just like Abigail refuses with the strict and unnecessary rules
of the Puritans, but at the same time she is a strong believer of her religion and is willing
to put up with anything, even the severe pain during pregnancy, to respect and cooperate
the traditions.
CD: Elizabeth is angry on Abigail.
CD: Elizabeth lies and tells the judge that Abigail and John had no relationships.
CM: It shows that Elizabeth has control, which is one of the things taught in the Puritan’s
religion.
CS: Elizabeth is cold but calm, she also is not a fan of the society but she is smart enough
to understand the way traditions are and create a sense of belongingness with everyone
around.

Body Paragraph #3 John Proctor

TS: He is a criminal who keeps lying to hide his crime. He betrayed his wife and Abigail.
CD: John confesses his crime to his wife Elizabeth.
CD: John refuses Abigail’s love.
CM: John wants to get over his mistakes, to do just that he has decided to refuse Abigail’s
attendance. He is dealing with two women regarding relations, which is a huge crime
under the strict rules of the Puritans.
CD: Proctor rejects Elizabeth’s offer of going to Abigail and completely ending their
relationships.
CD: Proctor doesn’t want Elizabeth to get arrested.
CM: Well he is starting to show signs of improvements in the respected religion. He is
trying his best to put his past behind him and move forward with family life. He has
gotten the attraction between the love of Elizabeth back.
CD: John forces Mary Warren to the court.
CD: John confesses that he had relations with Abigail.
CM: John is trying everything in his power to save Elizabeth and his children.
CS: John also similar to Abigail and Elizabeth is not a fan of the Puritan religion or how
the current society depends on revelations. He is willing to do anything to save Elizabeth
and unveils his affair with Abigail.
Conclusion: Abigail, John, and Elizabeth in some shape or form come to the same base.
They are all hungry of better life, want to stay away from controversies, especially the
ones involving religion, no one of them is very religious. They care highly of their
reputation in the society. They all at some point during the play stressed on an issue based
on their reputation. Elizabeth cared for honor, John cared for family life and Abigail
cared of love and fear of death or jail time. They all were fighting the strict religion.
Abigail happened to chose an easy way out, which was saving her life, even if it meant
putting others in danger and constantly breaking Puritan’s rules. Elizabeth maintained a
calm way of handling things throughout the play. John was the most fierce fighter, he
fought to the end for justice.