Abigail was jealous of Elizabeth. Elizabeth had one thing that Abigail wanted more than anything. “Oh, I marvel how such a strong man may let such a sickly wife be”. Abigail was being sarcastic to copy Proctor. Abigail is pretending to be angry at Elizabeth for being the cause of Proctors rejection toward her, we can see that the emotions are jealousy over their marriage. ” 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 lying lessons I was taught by all these Christian women and their covenanted men! And now you bid me tear the light out my eyes? I will not, I cannot! You loved me, John Proctor, and whatever sin it is, you love me yet!”. Abigail is name calling to put doubt in John Proctor’s mind and she tries to compliment Proctors mind to try and get a thought of everyday life as Elizabeth.
The reputations of the people in Salem were important to them. Stereotypes were common, and the people tried their best to protect their own. To the people Abigail Williams was an innocent orphan and the niece of the reverend , other than this they did not think much of her. So she went out of her way to accuse the respected people and it became gossip about the truth of her affair.
She was all of a sudden questioned. “(in a temper): My name is good in the village! I will not have it said my name is soiled! Goody Proctor is a gossiping liar!”. Miller used short sentences to show that Abigail is mad. This is a quote from the first act, it gives the reader an idea of Abigail’s character.
” There be no blush about my name. That cold, sniveling is blackening my name in the village.” Arthur Miller wanted to show Abigail’s true personality and it worked. Abigail is very angry at this point and concentrates all that anger at Elizabeth from a orphanage it was hard for her to compose a “good name” for herself. Abigail wanted a better life for herself. She did not want all her accomplishments to be broken by “Elizabeths lies”, so she tried to criticise her by calling her a liar. This challenges her character as the readers are obviously aware of Abigail’s dishonesty, we all know she is the one who wants vengeance, and Elizabeth is the direct opposite.
From the beginning of the play Abigail’s intentions were pretty clear. She obviously wanted to develop her relationship with Proctor and get his respect. ABigail was a young, naive and narrow minded maid who did anything to save herself, no matter who she disappointed along the way. Elizabeth was a totally different person. Elizabeth’s motivation came from the passion of raising her family. She wanted to regain the trust in her marriage to Proctor the benefit of her children.
She was a lot older, wiser and devoted her life to religion. “I wake and walk about the house as though I’d find you coming through the door”. Miller gives a childish effect to the quote and makes Abigail sound horrible. This reminds us that she is only a teenager. The quote illustrates that her love towards Proctor is enduring and also demonstrates her repulsion towards Elizabeth. If they did not hate each other, then they would both have more similarities .
They both are in love with John Proctor. Elizabeth and Abigail are both very religious. Although they have different intentions, they are both very stubborn. They both try to influence on society as they want to be remembered after their deaths. In the end they both lie. Although, they lied for many different reasons.
