Abigail is so unsure of her own abilities to secure John as her own, that she has to accuse his wife of a witch in an effort to kill her in order to be with him. The primary internal conflict is that of her own insecurity. This is finally resolved when Abigail flees town to start a new life elsewhere.Ībigail’s motivations directly correlate with her conflicts throughout the play. This motivation carries throughout the play, as it begins the witch accusations and continues them throughout the play for whomever claims the girls are frauds or tries to debunk them are immediately accused of witchery. Also, when discovered in the woods, instead of admitting to her own interest in witchcraft, she wishes to save herself by claiming she was forced to do it.
During our first moments of knowing her, she says “There be no blush about my name.” and “my name is good in the village.”, and then flies into a temper when asked about rumors spread by Goody Proctor. Another motivation of Abigail is to save her reputation. This motivation is shown when Abigail accuses Elizabeth of witchcraft, and is resolved with John refuses to be with Abigail and admits to his adultery. Abigail believes that by doing so she will finally be able to be with her lover and “dance with me on my wife’s grave.” This motivation came from the moment Abigail and John Proctor first began their relationship where she was most likely lead to believe that they could be more than lovers. Obviously, one of her main reasons for causing the Witch Hunts is to accuse Elizabeth Proctor of witchcraft. She shows no remorse for causing the death of 20 innocent people all because of her want for John and to save her reputation.Ībigail’s motivations stem from her character traits. Also, when Mary Warren tries to tell the truth towards the end of the play, Abigail feigns a spiritual attack and tries to deter Mary from speaking the truth. To get back at her and to finally have John, Elizabeth accuses her of being a witch. Abigail loves John Proctor, but his wife Elizabeth threw her out and began starting rumors about her.
This deceit and manipulative behavior is the main cause of the hysteria of the Salem Witch Trials. The moment we meet Abigail, she is immediately described as one “with an endless capacity for dissembling”. Abigail Williams can be described in a number of words.
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