The witch trials of 1692 were among the darkest experiences of United States history. Forming in the rigid Puritan community of Salem, these infamous trials were a perfect example of vengeance based injustice. In Arthur Miller's play, "The Crucible", it all begins as but a simple accusation against a hand full of girls and only later develops into the great hysteria they are known as today. Ironically, these "truth seeking" hearings were built entirely of falsehoods, most of which originates from the testimonies of Abigail Williams. Abigail's vengeful feelings spur her into manipulating the girls, lying to the court, and attempting to ruin the relationship of John and Elizabeth Proctor.
Abigail's need for revenge causes her to use manipulation to intimidate the girls into following her plan of deceit. Abigail bullies the other girls into not spoiling her plan for revenge by verbally and physically attacking
Abigail's selfishness also causes her to frequently lie in court. Madly in love with John Proctor, Abigail believes that if Elizabeth were not in the way, he would belong to her. When the accusations begin, Abigail quickly claims to have seen Elizabeth Proctor with the devil. Abigail even goes out of her way to get Mary to plant the poppet in Elizabeth's possession. She then stabs herself with a needle into her stomach and blames Elizabeth of wanting to kill her. She denies that the poppet belongs to Mary Warren and insists that Elizabeth is playing with witchcraft. When Mary tries to correct her wrong-doings by telling the court the truth, Abigail makes John's plan backfire by stating that Mary is the devilish yellow bird. "Oh Mary, this is a black art to change your shape, No, I cannot, I cannot stop my mouth; It's God's work I do," Abigail cries out (875). Abigail William's untruthful actions and testimo
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