Character Analysis-Abigail Williams

Rachael Kerr
AP English 11
December 17, 2009
The Crucible Characterization
Abigail Williams
Abigail Williams is a treacherous young woman whose appearance as the word of God conceals her devilish nature.
As she is first introduced, Abigail is beautiful with a knack of dissembling which summarizes her ability to flaunt herself and tear things apart very well. Her strong personality and overbearing pride is what allows her to bend other young women to her will. Other girls are not the only people she bends to her will; using her overwhelming beauty to lead John Proctor to adultery. In fact, this is her beginning motive for all of the “witch” non-sense. Abigail wishes so much to be with John that she will do anything to be with him: “You loved me John Proctor, and whatever sin it is, you love me yet!”(Miller 24). Following his rejection, Abigail seeks her revenge and begins accusing Proctor’s wife Elizabeth of witchcraft: “She thinks to dance with [Proctor] on [his] wife’s grave!” (110). The power continues to go to Abigail’s head which leads her to accuse more and more people of witchcraft: “A wind, a cold wind, has come. Her eyes fall on Mary Warren” (108).
Abigail Williams is like a wolf in sheep’s clothing. From the start, she a conniving and sly, but is unable to steal her prize--John Proctor's heart. She disguises herself as a holy follower of God, like the rest of the townsfolk, to deceive them. She walks among them, appearing like the exact opposite of what she is: innocent and pure when she is really vile and deceitful. Abigail is forever on the prowl and trying to get to Proctor. Keeping with her facade, she lashes out at other villagers in an attempt to secure John for herself.
A modern day parallel would be from the movie Coraline. In Coraline, Coraline meets her ‘other-mother’ who treats her in just the way Coraline wishes. The other-mother seems to be a great find from wonderful turn of events; however this is a gross misnomer. In the end, it is revealed that all the other-mother is after is Coraline’s eyes.