What does Elizabeth want John to do and why is he apprehensive?

The diction choice �dissembling� clearly portrays Abigail�s manipulative and deceptive character as it reflects her ability to disguise or conceal her emotions in order to �sport with� the individuals inSalem. Conversely, her �endless capacity� outlines how her attitude and character remains constant throughout the text. Essentially, this quotation best encapsulates her manipulative and malicious character.

Table of Contents Show

What is it that Elizabeth want John to do?
What does Elizabeth want John to do why is he reluctant to do this?
What is it that Elizabeth wants John to do how does he respond to her request to do this?
Why does Elizabeth think John is hesitant?

�Now she is all worry and apprehension and propriety�

Abigail has the ability to manipulate and convince people into believing her �act� and this line effectively undermines any sense that she might feel sympathy for Betty.

From an alternative perspective, Abigail could be perceived as a mischievous and clever individual, due to her ability to deceive people within the society. In a heavily repressive world, perhaps Abigail is doing the only thing she can to carve herself a small niche of freedom.

Although Miller probably intended to write her as a villain, a feminist reading of her character might treat her more sympathetically, perhaps even heroically.

�It were sport, uncle!�

Perhaps shows Abigail�s innocence; as if she really did think that what the girls did in the forest was merely some fun. This idea may redeem Abigail the temptress/villain role. In addition it is a feeble retort to Parris, further emphasizing her youth.

Alternatively, her scheming and selfish nature may be outlined by the diction �sport� as it implies that she is inconsiderate of people�s feelings, as everything is something of a �game� to her. The use of the exclamation mark highlights her desperation to convince her uncle. Tentatively, the sibilance in sport foreshadows her scheming and sinister nature, which is portrayed throughout the text.

�Do you begrudge my bed, uncle?

This quotation and the use of the question mark reveals how Abigail is challenging her uncle, which therefore suggests she is a more confident and powerful character than we would expect of an average 17 year old Salem girl. Miller specifically employs the use of the comma, in order to separate the diction �uncle�, which emphasises the sense of Abigail�s authority and control as she pointedly emphasises the word that reveals the hold she has over Parris. She is family: as a Christian minister Parris cannot admit to not wanting to help her further highlighting her manipulative character.

�I will not have it said my name is soiled! Goody Proctor is a gossiping liar!�

Highlights the importance of a person�s reputation withinSalemand emphasizes how the witch hunts were caused by petty arguments and jealousy.

This further undermines the hysteria and shows the audience the ludicrous nature of the situation, which is paralleled to Miller�s view about the communist witch hunt during 1950s.

It is also an early indication of Abigail�s nature: to blame others and to ensure she does not get in trouble.

�Betty: �You did, you did! You drank a charm� to kill john Proctor's wife! You drank a charm to kill Goody Proctor!��

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This quotation explicitly reveals Abigail�s sinful character, and we can clearly sense falsity due to how she acts with certain characters such as Proctor, and then with other characters such as Parris. The contrast between these two sides of her character helps to create as the audience are aware of her �true� character, while the individuals inSalemare blinded by her lies.

�I will come to you in the black of some terrible night and I will bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder you.�

Due to the reference of witchcraft in this quotation, there are connotations of evil and malevolence, which mirrors Abigail�s character. This emphasizes her violence causing the audience to feel no remorse or sympathy for her. Furthermore, the repetition of �I�, as well as the definite modal verb �will� highlights her power and control over the other girls, thus, emphasizing her ability to manipulate anyone.

There may also be a degree of sympathy towards her as she witnessed the death of her parents at a very young age. Perhaps a young girl left to fend for herself in the care of a selfish uncle has to resort to such measures to carve a place for herself in the world.

�I almost forgot how strong you are, John Proctor�

This quotation clearly underlines Abigail�s infatuation with Proctor.� This is further emphasized, as she was �wide-eyed� when he entered the room. In this quotation, we can also feel the flirtatiousness, as Abigail attempts to flatter Proctor. The line implies that Proctor and Abigail have been intimate in the past, and therefore, Abigail has continued to have feelings for him.

�John- I am waitin' for you every night�

Abiligal used to be a servant in Proctor household, but was thrown out when Elizabeth Proctor discovered their hidden relationship. This speech demonstrates that Abiligal is not the innocent little girl, it also shows that she is not over Proctor.

[Tauntingly] �You�ve come five mile to see a silly girl fly? I know you better.�

Shows special relationship with Proctor; the audience can see the flirtation between the two: she is an outsider too and she understands the outsider Proctor. It shows Abigail as confident and duplicitous; she previously was concerned about Betty, but with Proctor, she refers to Betty as a �silly girl� which re-emphasises her affection for Proctor.

�How do you call me child�

Here Abiligal is angry because she doesn't want Proctor to see her as a child. She wants more from him because she is in love with him.

�I want to open myself!� I want the light of God� I saw Sarah Good with the Devil! I saw Goody Osburn with the Devil! I saw Bridget Bishop with the Devil!�

This quotation outlines Abigail�s devious and manipulative character, as she realizes that by confessing her actions, she can escape from the blame and will not be punished.

Her obviously empty desire to �open� herself to God is used in order to undermine theSalemwitch-hunt in the eyes of the audience, and in parallel, the communist witch-hunt of the 1950s. The fact that Abigail managed to fool the other characters in the room highlights fact thatSalem(Modern America) is so caught up in hysteria that it cannot see through the lies of those in power to the obvious truths.

The repetitive use of the exclamation marks increases the pace of her speech and serves to emphasise the absurdly melodramatic nature of her confession.

It is also moments like this that highlight Abigail�s intelligence, as she is able to see how society functions, and manipulate it, in order to benefit herself.

�Abigail Williams charge her�

Abigail�s jealousy of Elizabeth Proctor is clear as she accuses her of witchcraft and sets her up with evidence that she was unable to explain and justify.� Although this portrays her as a vicious character, her jealousy has driven her actions, which may cause the audience to feel some remorse or sympathy for her.

�Let you beware, Mr. Danforth�

Stage directions (stepping up to Danforth): �What look do you give me?�

This quotation suggests a clear sense of authority, and reveals how Abigail is in control of the situation. The use of the diction �beware� as well as her attempt to target Mr. Danforth creates a threatening tone, making it all the more clear that she is challenging Mr. Danforth.

Similarly, �stepping up� suggests her authority and her ability to challenge one who is superior to her.

Stage directions: �suddenly, from an accusatory attitude, her face turns, looking in the air above- it is truly frightened�

Here we can clearly sense her artificial character, due to the diction �suddenly� which suggests a change in attitude and character. Conversely, her ability to play an act and still manage to fool everyone is quite impressive. Miller employs the use of punctuation such as commas in order to create a rapid change, and further emphasize her false character.

�Oh, Heavenly Father, take away this shadow!�

The hypocritical reference to God in order to trick the individuals inSalemreinforces Abigail�s cunning and devious character but once again the audience are given a sense of Abigail�s intelligence as she manages to perfectly manipulate the situation to her advantage. At times in Act Three, especially when he admits that he is a �lecher�, it seems as though Proctor has the upper hand. However, afterElizabeth�s lie has undermined Proctor�s confession the balance of power shifts back in Abigail�s favour and she is quick to take advantage of this.

What is it that Elizabeth want John to do?

What does she urge John to do? Elizabeth tells John that fourteen people are in jail for witchcraft and that there is talk of hanging the accused. She wants John to go and tell Ezekiel Cheever that Abigail told him that witchcraft has nothing to do with the chaos in Salem.

What does Elizabeth want John to do why is he reluctant to do this?

Elizabeth wants John to go into Salem to tell the authorities that the girls are not telling the truth. What is John's response to her prodding? He is reluctant to go. He understands that he probably should go, but he does not want to get personally involved with the activity.

What is it that Elizabeth wants John to do how does he respond to her request to do this?

Where does Elizabeth want John to go, and what does she want him to do there? She wants him to go into Salem to tell the authorities that the girls are lying. What is John's response to her prodding? He is reluctant to go.

Why does Elizabeth think John is hesitant?

Why does Elizabeth think he is hesitant to come forth with what he knows? John and Abigail are the only ones that know the witchcraft was a fake and has nothing to show to defend that. Elizabeth thinks john was scared to confess because he's scared of being exposed as a cheater.