Seldom do we find ourselves with the power to control whether someone lives or dies. Much less the lives of thirty-nine innocent women. Abigail William's witch accusations nearly condemned these women to an unjust death sentence. This shows her crazy-teenager-in-delusional-love side, but also why she becomes a personal favorite character of mine.
Her unrequited love- or, actually, lust- for Proctor motivates her to new extremes of evilness: the death of gentle townswomen. Only prompted with a cause- hope to replace Elizabeth- does she fabricate intricate explanations for each woman's connection to witchcraft. Most critics hate Abigail, however, I feel for her. She was young and impressionable, the two cliches necessary to fall completely head-over-heels for a man twice her age. Consumed with her craving for Proctor, her only desire was to be HIS desire- only remotely possible through the execution of Elizabeth.
Yes, I'm making a case for her, not against her. She wasn't surrounded by loving parents growing up; she didn't experience what a traditional family should be like. She only had her warped sense of romantic love derived from Proctor's lusty advancements. As of Act Three, her power over those lives create for her a false sense of security- because she can't possibly be hanged as a witch if she confesses, and the chance of sleeping with Proctor instantly skyrockets. I believe Abigail is highly manipulative (a trait I highly admire, actually) and intelligent, but also a lost young girl who aches for attention and love after being bereft in her childhood.
I like how you took the less common side and defended Abigail. It's kind of making reevaluate how I think of her.
ReplyDeleteAlthough my contempt for Abigail has not changed, I see a different side to how her actions could be "justified". Her decisions are irrational and extreme, but it could be that she was effected mentally with the feeling of no power, causing her to go on a rampaging thirst for authority.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny, I was just watching Law and Order and it was a case where a man who had been abused as a child ended up abusing and murdering other kids himself. His lawyer tried to defend him, but there is no defense against such a crime. I don't think it matters that Abigail was a young impressionable girl; that doesn't give her the right to cause the deaths of so many people. I respect your opinion and I like how you looked at it from a different angle, but, personally, I abhor Abigail.
ReplyDeleteWow, I really like your stance Sarah, and I was actually looking at Abigail the same way! How could a child not long for love, attention, and affection when none of that was given to her growing up? Although she of course could have done this in different ways, she's a child still learning and trying to find her place in the world. Love your justification! :)
ReplyDeleteHey Sarah,it cool that you stepped outside of the mold and made your own assertion about Abigail. That takes a lot of courage. I do agree with you that Abigail was taken advantage of by a man much older that her which is completely wrong. Nevertheless, she is not justified for her actions.
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