Sunday, October 7, 2012

My Hatred of Abigail Williams Grows...


      
      I have learned a very important lesson while reading "The Crucible", I would never want to be a puritan or live in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692.  This was a time where no one was safe; over night, innocent turned into guilty and dancing turned into witchcraft.  Everyone was suspicious of everyone.  In "The Crucible" the characters continuously turn on each other, each trying to protect their standing in a Puritan society.
     It is the absolute worst feeling in the world to not be taken seriously.  Mary Warren and John Proctor are both discredited by Abigail Williams, an insane girl trying to create hysteria in Salem.  I almost screamed and begged along with Mary Warren when Abigail was mocking her and pretending as though Mary's spirit was haunting her.  The Puritan courts were very unfair and most were ruled by experiences and stories, not fact. It is very unfortunate that in today's court system many innocent people are still put in jail.  In the movie "Shawshank Redemption", the main character is wrongly convicted of killing his wife and her lover even though he pleads innocent.  The main difference between then and now is that the punishment in the Puritan courts usually resulted in death.  Since Mary Warren fears for her life, she gives in to Abigail’s heckling and goes along with her evil plan, thus resulting in Proctor's downfall.  I believe that no matter what century you are in your own life comes first.  Abigail has a great understanding of this. She knows that as long as she remains in good favor with the court, all of the townspeople will join her side to stay alive.

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