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Elizabeth Ashley

English 3P

Period. 2

Mr. Jefferson

May 9th, 2017

What or who caused the Salem Witch Trials

Witchcraft plays a big part in the Puritan Society. In the book, The Crucible by Arthur

Miller, there are many people to blame for the events in which occurred. Since the beginning of

the story Abigail was someone to look up to in the town of Salem. However, she took many

actions in which couldve avoided the events of the Salem Witch Trials. Puritan society as a

whole has definitely played a role in these events, but as a single individual, Abigail is the one to

blame.

In the beginning of this book Abigail was caught performing witchcraft in the woods,

along with the entire group of girls, and Tituba. More specifically she was seen dancing naked

around a fire in the woods. Reverend Parris then sees the, and tells Reverend Hale. They

continue to question Abigail despite her denying it. The author states, No hell be comin up.

Listen, now, if they be questioning us, tell them we danced- I told him as much already (Miller

18). This shows that Abigail is trying as hard as she can to make the girls conceal their secret,

and not let anyone find out that they were attempting to conjure Ruths sisters to come out of the

grave. However Abigail is the one single person who had this idea in the first place. Also, in the

beginning of the story Abigail drinks blood, as part of performing witchcraft. The book states,
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You drank blood, Abby! You didnt tell him that! (Miller 19). If Abigail admits to her sin she

would not be sent to death, however she continues to deny what she has done.

Many different events helped contribute to the Salem Witch Trials, however Abigail was

the biggest contributor. She also lied about John Proctor committing adultery with Elizabeth in

court. Judge Danforth brought Elizabeth, John Proctor, and Abigail all in at different times to

question them. John went in before and told the truth to the court, however when Abigail was

brought in after that she lied about his sin. The book states, No sir (Miller 116). This

occurred when Elizabeth claimed to the Judge that John Proctor had commit adultery when soon

after Abigail lies and tells Giles and Judge Danforth that he had not. Miller also states, Do you

confess this power! (Moller 117). By Abigail not telling Judge Danforth the truth, it eventually

leads to people such as John Proctor being hung.

Another reason why Abigail could easily be blamed for the Salem Witch Trials is when

Mary Warren give Elizabeth the poppet, Abigail uses it to her advantage. However Mary

Warren is the one who stabs the poppet, Abigail later stabs the poppet, and tells Elizabeth that

May Warren did it to her, and that she is out to get her. One could argue that Abigail did this

because she was jealous of the affair that went on between Abigail and John Proctor. The author

states, I never heard no murder done in Salem (Miller 79). Now, the people of Salem have a

bigger reason to believe that Abigail is guilty of being a witch. She is seen as a murderer for

stabbing Elizabeths poppet in the stomach and making Elizabeth believe that is was Marys

doing. Arthur Miller also states, You charge a cold and cruel murder on Abigail. (Miller 76).

Due to the beliefs of the Puritan Society, people must be careful of all of their actions because
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anyone could easily be seen as a witch. Any minor action could lead someone to be believed as

a witch, or in worst cases, sent to death.

In conclusion, there were many people and events in which helped contribute to the

Salem Witch Trials, however Abigail started it all in the beginning. Because of Abigail, her and

the group of girls were looked at as a suspect for being a witch. She also allowed her jealousy

from Elizabeth and John Proctor to get the best of her. She took action on which made her even

more of a suspect for being a witch. Eventually, at the closing of the story she lies to the court

about John Proctors affair with Elizabeth, which consequently leads to the death of John Proctor

and many more. If in fact Abigail had not caused all of the problem throughout the story, there

would not be a point of performing the Witch Trails in the town of Salem.