Women In The Crucible

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Indy Lau 11/29/11 Period 2 Crucible Essay The Girls of Salem Rises to Power Arthur Miller writes The Crucible to show how Abigail and the girls use the witch trials in their favor. In this society, men have all the political powers while the lower rungs of the social ladder are occupied by women. By accusing others, the women are able to gain more power for themselves. In act two for instance, Mary Warren defies her master, Proctor. In the beginning of the play, Mary and Proctor shows the relationship of a master and servant by speaking harshly to her. Mary Warren: Oh! I’m just going home, Mr. Proctor Proctor: Be you foolish, Mary Warren? Be you deaf? I forbid you leave the house, did I not? Why shall…show more content…
When Hales questions her about witch crafting, she responds saying, “‘He say Mr. Parris must be kill! Mr. Parris no goodly men, Mr. Parris mean man and no gentle man, and he bid me rise out of my bed and cut your throat!’” (848). Since Hale orders her to speak the truth about the devil, Tituba voices out all her hostilities towards her master, and blames that it is suggestions from the devil. At the same time, she can accuse “‘white people’” (848) with the devil. Hale claims that Tituba is “‘selected’” and is “‘chosen to cleanse our village’” (848). She knows that by calling out names of people who are the “‘devil’s agents’” (848), she will not be in trouble. She cries out, “and there was Goody Good” and “‘Goody Osburn’” (848), in front of everyone. Being that she is God’s representative to accuse the witches, she has the power to make everyone believe in her. Before, no one will listen or take her seriously to a word she said, but she now has a position of authority from which to name the secret sins of other Salem residents. She uses that power and authority to make accusations that would have earned her a beating before. This is shown when Mrs. Putnam believes her and says, “‘I knew it! Goody Osburn were midwife to me three times (848). She sets an example to the other girls, and Abigail did the same thing. She is inspired, and cries out, “‘I…show more content…
She sees Elizabeth as an obstacle, and that she must surpass it. In doing so, she states Elizabeth uses a poppet to hurt her. While in court, Abigail witnesses Mary Warren making a doll and sticking a need into the belly. She realizes that she can make use of this information to charge Elizabeth. Meanwhile, Abigail uses a needle and “‘stuck two inches in the flesh of her belly’” (860). With Parris as the witness, she tells Cheever that Elizabeth is to blame. Because she is the victim, she is able to succeed in arresting
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