Elise Tomashek

Mrs. Lawrynk

Junior English

17 October 2022

Crucible Analysis

Based on the historical occurrences of witch trials, The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, is a

portrayal of these events. A crucible is a severe test or trial, which is what happens in the play in

reference to the Salem witch hunts. Abigail Williams, a young girl from the village who was

accused of conjuring spirits in the woods, gives meaning to the crucible which means trial.

Abigail was a young girl who was gifted at manipulating others, selfishly controlling, and a

strong liar.

Abigail Williams is introduced as a beautiful young girl who lives with her uncle. Later

we learn that she is having an affair with John Proctor, an older, married man in the village

which shows how she is shifty and has poor morale. Additionally, she leads a group of girls into

the woods to dance naked, which shows her leadership and poor morale.

I chose this character because I feel she has a connection to how young girls can act in

times today. She is naive to the consequences of her actions and selfishly puts herself and others

in danger for foolish reasons. Abigail is a powerful leader and strong young girl to her friends

and younger girls in the village, which I admire about her. I dislike that she ends up ultimately

killing her lover and causing raging death and destruction in the village because she made poor

choices. I identify with Abigail because I am a strong leader and like to take charge of situations,

sometimes resulting in leading others to make mistakes.

 Through the course of the play, Abigail sees nothing wrong with harmless dancing in the

woods and proclaims she had nothing to do with witchery. Later we see her statement change as

she now tells how Tituba forced her to drink a charm. Further on, she confesses saying she wants

the light of God, admitting to what she did, and showing she now regrets drinking the blood.

Near the end of the play, she changes by turning on John Proctor whom she once claimed to love.

Her change of heart admitting to her sins and wanting the light of God was a step in the right

direction but is then lost when she is on trial for committing adultery with John Proctor.

Ultimately, her change in story and in the heart of witchcraft leads to mass chaos in the village

and ultimately, her to run away.

In conclusion, The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, has a diverse storyline consisting of many

changing personalities. Through the experience of Abigail Williams, we see how selfishness and

lying lead to consequences that sometimes can not be helped. I feel this character didn’t always

mean to cause harm but her actions lead her deeper into the hole of misery.