Characters+Abigail


 * ** Abigail ** || ||
 * Main motivation || To be with John Proctor ||
 * Main conflict || She is unable to be with John because he and Elizabeth are still married; wants to get rid of Elizabeth ||
 * Personality || Conniving, lustful, vengeful, controlling, violent, manipulative ||
 * Effect on plot || After Tituba is forced to confess, Abigail jumps in and starts accusing others. ||
 * Quote || “I look for John Proctor that took me from my sleep and put knowledge in my heart... And now you bid me tear the light out of my eyes? I will not! I cannot! You loved me, John Proctor, and whatever sin it is, you love me yet”. (pg 30) ||
 * Role in the conflicts || She initiates the conflict – is the catalyst because of her jealousy. She perpetuates the conflict by bullying the other girls, lying to the judge, denouncing all those who have hurt her and will not allow the conflict to be resolved by confessing she lied. ||
 * Abigail Williams **
 * Manipulative
 * Passionate, adventurous but finds herself incarcerated in a straightjacket of moral inhibitions
 * When she is with John, we see a softer side to her that is totally opposite to the ruthless personality she demonstrates.
 * Non-conforming
 * Able to control her fear when in danger
 * Quick thinking
 * Strong sense of self-preservation
 * Capable of violence
 * The initiator of conflict, perpetuates the conflict and will not allow the conflict to be resolved – the villain of the play
 * She has created havoc in Salem – the sense of power she has over all the town is overwhelming to her.
 * She takes extreme joy in the attention she receives and in the suffering she has caused to others through her accusations.
 * She takes revenge, not only on John, who has refused her advances, but also on the whole town who have frustrated her life.
 * The people of Salem encounter conflict through the stories of Abigail and the other girls
 * Refuses to become a victim. Before her pretence is revealed, she steals Parris’ money and hops a ship to Barbados.