Abigail's Involvement

Abigail is very relevant in The Crucible. Although she is not responsible to everything that went on, she is responsible for some of the major things that happened. In her past, she watched the murder of her mother and father. She watched as the Natives bashed their heads right beside her. She was helping at the Proctors home, where she had an affair with John. Elizabeth discovered this, and fired Abigail. These events could influence her in some ways; however, her behavior is inexcusable. She threatened the lives of Betty and Mercy so they would not tell of what really happened on the night they were in the woods. She tried, multiple times, to kill Elizabeth Proctor in order to take her place as John's wife. She used Mary Warren as a way to have Elizabeth accused. She pretended that Mary Warren was sending her spirit out to try to attack her. Abigail is very manipulative and truculent. She is a good liar, and since she is a child in the eyes of the people of Salem, she can get away with almost everything. She cannot blame "outside forces" for her behavior. She is responsible for her own actions. The readers and some of the characters can see straight through her façade. She stole money from her own family and fled Salem. She is completely crazy, and needs to be held accountable for her wrong-doings. In conclusion, Abigail is a conniving teenager who has committed serious crimes, and has accused others of committing serious crimes that will eventually have them killed. She is jealous and manipulative; however, she is a child, so she is completely free of sin.