Crucible: Salem Witch Trials and John Proctor
The Crucible: Compare/Contrast Essay
The Crucible is a play of the Salem witchcraft trials that took place in Salem Massachusetts. The villagers suspect witchcraft after finding out about a girl who is not responding to anything, she seems to be ill. Abigail Williams had an affair with John Proctor. Abigail soon wishes Elizabeth Proctor were dead. Abigail turns on the rest of the village to cover up her lies. To better understand the similarities and differences of Abigail Williams and Elizabeth Proctor in the play, The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller. One must think of the elements of love, personalities of persons, and the maturity of females as displayed by the characters. Elizabeth Proctor and Abigail Williams can be compared and contrasted when focusing of elements of love displayed for John Proctor. Elizabeth Proctor was very faithful to her husband. She loved him and stood by him through everything. When she had to tell the court about her husband, Elizabeth said, “My husband is a good and righteous man. He is never drunk as some are, nor wastin’ his time at the shovelboard, but always his work” (Miller 113, IV). Elizabeth always demonstrates her love for her husband by standing up for him even though he cheated on her with Abigail Williams. Abigail Williams is madly in love with John Proctor, but he never completely expresses the same feelings for her. Abigail Williams says to John Proctor, “I look for John Proctor that took me from my sleep and put knowledge in my heart! I never knew what pretense Salem was, I never knew the lying lessons I was taught by all these Christian women and their covenanted men! And now you bid me tear the light out of my eyes? I will not, I cannot! You love me, John Proctor, and whatever sin it is, you love me yet” (Miller 24, I). Abigail tries to get John to be hers by using those words. When Abigail failed at winning John’s heart, she resorts to “black magic” as a form of revenge. Elizabeth and
The Crucible is a play of the Salem witchcraft trials that took place in Salem Massachusetts. The villagers suspect witchcraft after finding out about a girl who is not responding to anything, she seems to be ill. Abigail Williams had an affair with John Proctor. Abigail soon wishes Elizabeth Proctor were dead. Abigail turns on the rest of the village to cover up her lies. To better understand the similarities and differences of Abigail Williams and Elizabeth Proctor in the play, The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller. One must think of the elements of love, personalities of persons, and the maturity of females as displayed by the characters. Elizabeth Proctor and Abigail Williams can be compared and contrasted when focusing of elements of love displayed for John Proctor. Elizabeth Proctor was very faithful to her husband. She loved him and stood by him through everything. When she had to tell the court about her husband, Elizabeth said, “My husband is a good and righteous man. He is never drunk as some are, nor wastin’ his time at the shovelboard, but always his work” (Miller 113, IV). Elizabeth always demonstrates her love for her husband by standing up for him even though he cheated on her with Abigail Williams. Abigail Williams is madly in love with John Proctor, but he never completely expresses the same feelings for her. Abigail Williams says to John Proctor, “I look for John Proctor that took me from my sleep and put knowledge in my heart! I never knew what pretense Salem was, I never knew the lying lessons I was taught by all these Christian women and their covenanted men! And now you bid me tear the light out of my eyes? I will not, I cannot! You love me, John Proctor, and whatever sin it is, you love me yet” (Miller 24, I). Abigail tries to get John to be hers by using those words. When Abigail failed at winning John’s heart, she resorts to “black magic” as a form of revenge. Elizabeth and
Cited: Miller, Arthur. The Crucible. New York, NY: Penguin, 1976. Print.