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How Did Abigail Williams Use Lies In The Crucible

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Although lying seems unimportant, it can be much more powerful than one might think. Arthur Miller’s tragic play The Crucible recites the story of the Salem Witch trials of 1692, in which the false accusations of a few young girls resulted in over 20 casualties. Many different characters, including Parris, Abigail, and John Proctor, hide the truth to preserve their reputations. Despite their diverse social statuses and positions, they each have something to hide. They constantly omit or deny things in their testimonies to save their names. Even though they were all unsuccessful in the end, Parris, Abigail, and Proctor all use lies to evade consequences for as long as they can. Reverend Parris demonstrates his reverence for his reputation early into the play and attempts to control the spread of his secret to protect his good name. …show more content…

I will not have it said my name is soiled,” (1.10). In order to defend herself from her uncle’s suspicion, Abigail responds in a heavily guarded manner. Reputation is so important to her that she convinces herself and others that she is without fault. When Mary Warren decides to reveal the truth, Abigail threatens her; says “Let either of you breathe a word, or the edge of a word, about other things, and I will come to you in the black of some terrible night and I will bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder you,” (1.13) Abigail is so worried for her reputation that she threatens to kill her friends. Finally, care for her reputation causes Abigail to flee Salem. She is pushed into stealing from her uncle to escape the misgivings the villagers have against her. For Abigail Williams, having a good name is a necessary part of existence that takes precedence over truth, her friends, and her

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