Character Motivation in Act I

Dig deep in a character’s mind in Act I in The Crucible: what is motivating this character? Make your argument analytical and specific,
and prove it using claim, evidence, warrant. Comment on one classmate’s post!


Comments

  1. Abigail's actions are a result of her motivation of protecting her reputation even though she continues to love John Proctor because Abigail is still a young woman who will have her future ruined if the truth about Proctor’s affair comes out. In Act I, Abigail threatens the other girls who were with her in the woods, “Let either of you breathe a word, or the edge of a word, about the other things, and I will come to you… I will bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder you” (Miller 20). Abigail wants to have no one speak of anything else that has happened in the forest because she is afraid of her love for Proctor to be revealed. She does not want anyone to know that she drank a charm in order to kill Goody Proctor. If anyone finds out about these actions in the forest, then Abigail's future will be at stake. Also, Abigail explains to Reverend Hale, “ I never sold myself! I'm a good girl...She made me do it! She made Betty do it” (Miller 47). Abigail blames Tituba in order to place the guilt on someone else so that her reputation does not get blackened. If she told Reverend Hale and Reverend Parris the truth, then Proctor's affair with Abigail would be revealed. Not only would Proctor be known as a sinner, but Abigail would not be able to get married to anyone in Salem because she lost her virginity. Therefore, Abigail is motivated by the fact that she fears that her reputation is at stake and she wants to protect it, which leads to her various actions, such as the fact that she threatened and lied to others.

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    1. I agree with you Michelle that Abigail's actions are motivated by the protection of her reputation in the community. I would like to add is that John Proctor had flirted with her when they had their conversation where Abigail asked if John ever still looks at her window for her he says "I may have looked up"(Miller 24). Even though he is denying the relationship with her still has some emotion toward her if he still looks for her. This also shows that he is feeding her a fake relationship by giving her hope that he looked for her making her think he still wants her.

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    2. I also agree with Michelle that Abigail's actions are motivated by saving face and reputation in the town. And her actions that reflect this protection is like what Michelle said threaten the girls with knife, and blames Tituba. just to add on the details goes "I never called him! Tituba, Tituba... I know not - she spoke Barbados... (Mrs. Putnam enters with Tituba, and instantly Abigail points at Tituba) She made me do it! She made betty do it ! She makes me drink blood! ... She comes to me while I sleep: She's always making me dream corruptions!..... (Miller P44-46) And so these are the details. Nice work Michelle.

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    3. Yes, many would argue her actions are motivated by love, but I think you are right -- Abigail's "fight or flight" mentality will carry throughout the play. Watch for her motivations to change and grow in Act III

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  2. Ann Putnam is the wife of Mr. Putnam. Their family back ground is wealthy and owns a lot of land. But Ann Putnam had continued misfortune of seven died babies. Now the youngest is also in "danger". "... I have but one child left of eight and now she shrivels!" (P29) First according to her husband. She thought herself is not loved by god, her counter part Rebecca nurse had eleven children, and been twenty six times a grandma. Which had cause her to be even determined that she had been by cursed. She later says to Rebecca "You think it God's work you should never lose a child, nor Grandchild either, and I bury all but one? There are wheels within wheels in this village, and fires within fires!"(P29) also "I'll not have you judging me any more! Is it a natural work to lose seven children before they live a day?(P40) This clearly shows that she is motivated by founding a reason to blame for her mischiefs, which could be witches as it's real in their minds. This motivates her to send her last child to Tituba to conjure her died ones as she thought Tituba was the one who killer her others. "I sent my child - she should learn from Tituba who murdered her sisters." (P40) which happened in the beginning of plot. Then she felt promised when reverend Hale comes to examine betty and the town, later heard Abigail's blame on Tituba as the source of the misfortune in the village, which add up to her speculation. The death of her children is her motivation to found reason for blame, thus cause her to conduct these actions of testing her suspected.

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    1. I agree with you, that ms. Putnam is driven by the fact that she gave birth to many children but only one of them survived, and Rebecca nurse has had a lot of children of her own and even more grandchildren. Since in their times they believed that if you had many children and lots of land, God loved you. But if you didn't have that, God didn't like you. They also said that your future is predetermined by God. Meaning he would have made an opinion about loving or not loving you before you were even able to open your eyes, and Ms. Putnam is looking for somebody to blame since she doesn't want to believe that God doesn't like her. ---Emma

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    2. I also agree with you because Ms. Putnam's motivation for her actions is derived from her grudge against Rebecca Nurse as well as the fact that Ms. Putnam has lost so many children. The Puritans believed in predestination. They believed that if someone had more land and children, then they are more loved by God than other people. In Act I, Ms. Putnam tries to put the blame of not having as many children as Rebecca Nurse on a witch, "You think it God's work you should never lose a child, nor grandchild either, and I bury all but one? There are wheels within wheels in this village, and fire within fires!" (Miller 29) Ms. Putnam can't believe that God has made her lose all her children except one. She does not want to believe that Rebecca Nurse is more loved by God than she is, which is why she tries to blame this "curse" on a witch that must be among the people in Salem. Therefore, Ms. Putnam's actions, such as blaming her misfortune of losing all of her children except one on a witch, comes from her motivation of trying to find someone to blame as well as the fact that she has a grudge against Rebecca Nurse.

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    3. Sorry that I forget to do proper citations. (Miller P29) (Miller P29) (Miller P40) (Miller P40) Sorry Ms.Dishner.

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  3. The character I chose is Abigail since I believe that Abigail is holding one of the biggest grudges so far. Abigail has a very strong character and is very sneaky. She fell in love with a married man named Thomas Proctor who is married to Mrs. Proctor, his wife, and together they have a child. But that didn't stop him from getting in a physical relationship with Abigail. As we all know, in the village which they live in things are very strict and everybody has to follow specific rules, for example women are supposed to stay virgins until they get married or nobody is going to marry them. But since Abigail fell in love with Mr. Proctor and she is no longer a virgin she's trying to protect her reputation, since Goody proctor is spreading "rumors" about her in the town as she says in the crucible "My name is good in the village! ...Goody Proctor is a gossiping liar!" (13) Abigail is not very fond of Goody Proctor since she's married to the man whom she wants to be with. And eversince Abigail slept with Proctor, his wife has been going around the village telling everybody about it so Abigails future will be ruined. And since Abigail has a lot of hate for Goody Proctor she even drinks chicken blood in the woods that one night, in order to fullfil a spell which would kill Goody Proctor so Abigail can take her place. And because Abigail lies to everybody about her being a virgin and being clean and about what really happened in the woods, Abigail is very much motivated by keeping her reputation in check.

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    1. it says unknown again, I don't know if you guys can see my name but its me,
      Emma.

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    2. I believe he is John Proctor, not Thomas Proctor.

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    3. I think he is motivated by personal desire, but some of his actions are of concern for the village and his daughter. Even though his personal paranoia gets the best of him at times there is at the very least some compassion about his daughter Betty as he wants the problem to be solved as quickly as possible whether it is witchcraft or not.

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  4. Reverend Parris seems mostly motivated by a personal desire to retain his position and authority in the town. He tells Abigail, "if you trafficked with spirits in the forest I must know it now, for surely my enemies will, and they will ruin me with it." He speaks of "a faction that is sworn to drive [him] from [his] pulpit."

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    1. I agree with you Ronique because Reverend Paris can be considered as a selfish person since he cares about his reputation than his daughters health since when she was in bed not waking up he cared more about no one thinking it was witch craft than trying to find out how he can help her and if she was okay.

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    2. I believe all the people are selfish. Who doesn't want a good reputation? Some people sucide because they have bad reputation, like Hitler. And Taylor Swift made an ablum name Reputation to save her reputation. According to Thomas Hobbes, in Leviathan, all human are born with selfish, evil...etc.

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    3. Ronique- good point! You are missing your warrant (your analysis!!)

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  5. Reverend Parris of Salem is motivated to keep power by making sure his name is clean in the town. In a heated conversation with Abigail about discovering the girls in the forest he says “Abigail, I have fought here three long years to bend these stiff-necked people to me, and now, just now when some good respect is rising for me in the parish, you compromise my very character” (Miller 12). Agabail was in the forest dancing with Betty which is banned in the colony because the Puritan lifestyle was to focus on praising God and going to work. Reverend Parris had caught the girls and then Betty fell into a deep sleep that she could not wake the next day. The news had spread very fast which prompted the entire town to suspect witchcraft putting a target on Parris’s reputation. The devil is associated with witchcraft and the devil is the biggest fear that they all have. If his family is associated with witchcraft they would kick him of the church. This shows how he is so motivated to keep power and his name clear that he fears people taking over his Parish and tarnishing his appearance more than maybe his own daughter being possed by the devil.

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    1. I agree on how you explained that Reverend Parris was motivated to keeping power by making sure his name was clean b/c so many people has a grudge on him, and if they find even the tiniest dirt on Parris name, it'll be over for Parris. He would be stripped from being Reverend and his reputation would go down the drain.

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    2. I strongly agree with your claim because Reverend Parris's actions are derived from the fact that he fears that his reputation will be blackened and he fears that his position as a reverend will be replaced. Reverend Parris used to be a merchant, however for some reason, he is now a reverend in Salem. His daughter Betty is unable to wake up and he found out that his daughter and niece were dancing in the woods, which is forbidden. In Act I, Proctor tells Parris, " Take it to heart, Mr. Parris. There are many others who stay away from church these days because you hardly ever mention God any more" (Miller 30). The fact that Proctor is already telling Parris that Parris is talking more about the Devil and less about God which is why less people are coming to church, already raises awareness and a concern that Reverend Parris's position is at stake. If the fact that Tituba can conjure spirits comes out and the fact that his niece had an affair with Proctor, then many people will question him and may remove him from his position. The fact that his daughter can't wake up and the rumors about witchcraft are roaming around raises more questions about Reverend Parris. Therefore, I strongly agree with Lamont's claim and response.

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  6. Abigail is motivated on keeping her secret of what she did the night when the girls were doing sinful things by blaming that Tituba was the one who made her do all those things. As reverend Hail started to question Abigail, Abigail started to say "I never called him! Tituba, Tituba... (Mrs. Putnam enters with Tituba, and instantly Abigail points at Tituba) She made me do it! She made Betty do it!... She made me drink blood! She send her spirit on me in church, she makes me laugh at prayer!" (44 - 46).
    Since Reverend Hail and Parris were very close on finding out the whole truth of what truly happened, Abigail needed think and do something fast, so that Hail and Parris doesn't find out what she did that night; risking everyone else finding out the scandal between her and John Procter and finding out how she wanted to conjure up a charm to harm John's wife Elizabeth so that she can have John Procter all to herself. So Abigail blurted out that it was Tituba's fault that they were there that night. Addition to that, it worked, simply b/c the only person whose status was below than Abigail was Tituba. Abigail thought maybe if she blames it on Tituba, Reverend Hail and Reverend Parris can divert their attention towards Tituba then on her. In a way, Abigail was selfish in doing that, however, this was back in the day and reputation was everything to a Puritan, so Abigail had no choice but to do that. As well as Abigail didn't want a beating from her uncle, which is way she lied from the beginning. She was only protecting herself, but lies doesn't stay hidden forever, soon or later the truth will come to the surface, slapping Abigail right on the face and why people says karma is a bitch. She thinks lying to everyone about this incident is saving her but in reality this lie is only digging up her grave and she's going to be in deep trouble when it does. Also, by doing this Abigail just severed her bond with Tituba and though Tituba was a slave, Tituba really loved Abigail and Betty, so to see Abigail blame everything on her, Tituba felt betrayed. This shows how Abigail was motivated on keeping her secrets hidden from everyone and how she would do anything in order to keep her reputation clean and pure.

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    1. Abigail is a very complex character, she is truly evil to me. I personally think she is the antagonist of the book. Unfortunately Abigail is not going to suffer--not going to give more spoiler--because she now has the power to accuse anyone that opposes to her. As of this time, she is invincible since now she has the minister and the girls on her side. Everything that happens is because of her irrational and honestly, very stupid decisions just because of her obsession over Proctor and her delusion to be with him are the true motivations to maintain the facade going. She is very selfish and is not mature enough that what she is doing will cause more trouble , and it all happens for her stubborn whim and desire of being Proctor's lover.

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    2. I agree with Tasnia. Abigail was truly motivated to lie to get out of trouble. She was selfish. Abigail preferred to blame Tituba instead of herself. She preferred to ruin her reputation instead of hers. All she wanted was to be safe in order to continue with her goal which was to get with John Proctor and make him fall for her. She didn’t care about anyone besides her and her future husband. She preferred tituba’s reputation to get ruined in order to continue with her life, like if nothing happened. All she desired was Proctor’s love and that was her main motivation.

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    3. Tasnia-- good work. Why do you think Abigail's reputation is so important to her?

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  7. Characters in The Crucible are very interesting characters, all of them are different individuals driven by sometimes silly or valid motivations and it’s normal for their time having these desires opened their way to freedom. Characters like Abigail are well depicted in this play, she was raised as an orphan by Reverend Parris, her uncle, and served as a house maid at John Proctor and Elizabeth Proctor’s household where she had a love affair with John Proctor. Abigail even tried to conjure and kill Elizabeth through the enchantments of Tituba but failed since she was discovered by her uncle. Her desires for Proctor led her to disobey the codes of the town, plot against Proctor’s wife, and lie. In Act 1, Abigail states “I want to open myself! I want the light of God, I want the sweet love of Jesus! I danced for the Devil; I saw him: I wrote in his book; I go back to Jesus; I kiss His hand. I saw Sarah Good with the Devil!”(50). Abigail is trying to protect herself, although nothing supernatural came the night that Abigail and the girls were dancing, she declares seeing the Devil to protect herself. Being a young woman who is not sufficiently mature to understand the gravity of her actions she accuses other women in the village. It’s crucial to understand that her delusional obsession over John Proctor is the reason she accuses other women, this is to be able to accuse Elizabeth Proctor and prove that she could be an essential tool to discover the witches of the town, it was a way for her to prove her innocence in front of everyone’s eyes, in front of the eyes of John Proctor.

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    1. I agree with how you said that Abigail is immature. Her age has a big factor with all the seemingly extreme decisions that she makes. She goes to the extreme to protect herself and in a way get what she wants. "She sends her spirit on me in church; she makes me laugh at prayer!...She comes to me every night to go and drink blood!" (46) In this scene, Abigail almost gets in trouble but quickly blames Tituba for her own incompetence. Abigail often times doesn't take the situation seriously. And when she has to face the consequences she blames what she did on someone else to draw the attention away. Her immaturity will be her downfall.

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  9. Abigail is motivated by her deep love for John proctor the Person who took her most valuable Possession and introduced her to a new “world”. Her actions are also driven by her hate towards Elizabeth Proctor.In Act 1 Abigail states “she is cold, sniveling woman, and you bend to her!”(Miller 24).Abigail hates Elizabeth Proctor because she is telling people about what she and John did but most importantly Abigail is jealous of her because Elizabeth has something she desires which is John ,Abigail wants to take her spot and be Johns wife. Abigail even drank a charm to kill Elizabeth. In Act 1 Abigail states “ I look for John proctor that took me from my sleep and put knowledge in my heart”(Miller 25). John proctor took her virginity which at the time was the most important possession a woman could have and if you didn’t have it no one would marry you. Abigail fell in love with John because of this and made Abigail feel love something Abigail hasn’t felt in a long time after Abigail parents were murdered in front of her. Abigail asks John to pity her and wants the love John once showed her, she loves him so bad Abigail did things she never done for example try to kill Elizabeth Proctor all because she is driven by love. Abigail and her actions are motivated by love.

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    1. What's up Carlos.
      I agree with you that John Proctor introduced a "new world" to Abigail, and made Abigail feel love, something Abigail hasn't felt in a long time after Abigail's parents were murdered in front of her.

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    2. I agree with you Carlos. Abigail's love for John Proctor is the reason she acts the way she does now. If their seven month relationship never happened then Abigail would never be so hung up on him. John Proctor knows what he did was wrong so he tries to move on and forget it ever happened, but Abigail doesn't.

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    3. I see eye to eye with your claim and evidence. Abigail clearly will do anything she can to have her way. It’s almost as if she’s selfish. Abigail puts the blame on others to take the attention off of her to maintain and pure image before others.

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    4. I agree with Carlos because John Proctor did introduce Abigail to an affection that she never felt before not only because she hadn't a man in her life but she didn't have parents as well because they were killed in front of her, so that makes it ten times worse because she is addicted in a way for John's love.

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  10. Ann Putnam has a lot of intense grudges against her fellow townspeople. She and Mr. Putnam contain a lot of internal, petty rage that motivates their actions. Ann, although ill-intentioned, keeps up her reputation by pretending to be the opposite. Often times, Ann is the instigator, trying to push for trouble. She buts in to matters that do not concern her to gather information to eventually make about herself; to find something to blame for her misfortunes. That is Ann’s motivation, to find her scapegoat. “They were murdered, Mr. Parris! And mark this proof! Mark it! Last night my Ruth were so close to their spirits; I know it, sir. For how else is she struck dumb now except some power of darkness would stop her mouth? It is a marvelous sign, Mr. Parris!” (16) Here, in a private conversation between Parris and Abigail, Ann is talking about her children that died before they could grow up. The main reason for Ann’s distress is that so many of her children have died; a sign that God did not favor her. She is blaming “darkness” for the death of the children; using Ruth’s “condition” as proof for the supernatural. Ann is trying to use the girls to push the death of her children onto someone/thing else, her scapegoat.

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    1. I agree with your perspective on Ann Putnam and her motives to all her actions. I feel like in a way Ann Putnam is crying out to everyone so that they can "feel" her sorrow. To pity her basically. I also feel like Mrs. Putnam is trying to support her husband. Mr. Putnam has a grudge against Reverend Parris because he believes his side of the family should have taken the job as being reverend in town. He feels as though Parris stole the job from them. Taking away the wealth, respect, and property that they "deserved". Mrs. Putnam knows this and maybe this is what also drives her to have a grudge on almost everyone in town, mainly anyone associated with Reverend Parris. It is all basically just like high school drama.

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    2. Allison- I like your idea that Ann is looking for a scapegoat-- I think most of the victims become scapegoats in many ways!

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  12. John Proctor is motivated by his avarice. The avarice of Abigail's body, the avarice of Elisbeath's love, and avarice of his reputation. John Proctor is a very horny man, he had many sexes with Abigail in his house, even he is already married. "I know how you clutched my back behind your house and sweated like a stallion...loved me then and you do now!" (Miller 23). Maybe John Proctor and his wife, Elizabeth's sex doesn't feel good as before because Elisbeath is very weak and after her menopause(I guess). So John Proctor start seduce and keep saying something like "I love you baby" to Abigail. It is very easy for a 40 years old man to date a native teen. Even John Proctor love Abigail's body so much, but I am sure John Proctor still love Elisabeth more. "You'll speak nothing of Elizabeth!." (Miller 24). John Proctor strongly loves a good reputation and he does have a good reputation. However, everybody knows he has an underground relationship with Abigail, undoubtedly it will hurt John Proctor's reputation. This is why John Proctor can't give any hope to Abigail.

    Many people believe Abigail is a bitch, but I don't think she is a very high level "bitch" (I am not saying Abigail is innocent, but I believe John Proctor is much more "bitch" than Abigail.) As we know, Abigail saw her parents dead in front of her, and in the movie her guardian, Parris's attitude to Abigail is very bad. I am sure Abigail desire love, especially male's love. So Abigail will soon befall to John Proctor's occupation under his sweet words and clutched her back. Moreover, Abigail is a woman, John Proctor is a man. There are only two situations of their sex. One is John Proctor forced Abigail to have sex with him, another one is both of them willing to have sex. However, John Proctor knows he will change Abigail's future because she lost her first time before marriage, and he couldn't be responsible for Abigail, but he still chooses to entice Abigail to sex with him. Abigail is bad, but John Proctor is abysmal. John Proctor is an irresponsible person. Also, he has avarice of Abigail's body, the avarice of Elisbeath's love, and avarice of his reputation.

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    1. I agreed with the part where you talk about John Procter's motivated by his avarice for reputation and he does have a good reputation in town but I wouldn't really say that John Procter has avarice for Abigail's body and avarice for Elizabeth's love. The reason I say that is because John Procter is married to Elizabeth Procter and they loves each other and that is the truth but I feel like there's a reason to what John Procter has done like his actions with Abigail. John Procter may have given unnecessary knowledge and given hope to Abigail at one point but remember afterwards John Procter backed off and haven't done much with Abigail since it was mentioned in the book that the two haven't seen each other for months, even though John Procter and Elizabeth lives a distance away from the town or village John Procter must have had other business and obligations that requires him to go to town during those few months but not once has he gone to see Abigail, and John mentions on page 24 that he will cut off his hands before he will reach for Abigail ever again. The reason John stopped going after Abigail and even said he won't ever reach for Abigail ever again is probably the remorse he felt for when he did something he shouldn't have behind his wife's back and wants a way of redemption for his wife since he stills love her dearly that he doesn't want Abigail to speak poorly of Elizabeth.

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    2. I am agree with you that John Proctor wouldn’t touch Abigail again. However you can’t deny their 7 month underground relationship.

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    3. I agree that John Proctor is motivated by his avarice for his reputation though John Proctor does not have avarice for Abigails body and elizabeth's love. John Proctor tries to move on because what he did with Abigail was wrong. John Proctor wants to keep his reputation safe. John Proctor also plausibly felt remorse for what he did behind Elizabeth's back.

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    4. Actually Chuanwu, we don't know how many times John has been with Abigail... wait and find out! Maybe one one... !

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    5. Also-- Elizabeth isn't in menopause. She is probably around 28-30 years old! She had a baby in the last year! Don't blame the woman! Jeez!!

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  13. Throughout the play, Abigail is motivated by jealousy, power, and attention. Abigail desires to be with John Proctor so she does everything she can do to be with him. "You did, you did! You drank a charm to kill Goody Proctor!" (Miller 20). Abigail is a very sneaky character and Abigail seeks for power that she doesn't have even though she is just a slave to for Parris, to the other girls that live in Salem Abigail is like the leader to them. "Now look all of you. We danced. And Tituba conjured Ruth Putnam's dead sisters. And mark this. Let either of you breath a word, about the other things, and i will come to you in the black of some terrible night and i will bring a pointy reckoning that would shudder you" (Miller 20). Many of the girls in Salem are afraid of Abigail because of the character she is and because of this they listen to her. They know what Abigail has been through with her parents and therefore they are careful to upset her because they know that she will do what she says.

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    1. Abigail is indeed motivated by jealousy, power, and attention. Abigail’s jealousy towards John Proctor’s wife, Elizabeth, is natural because Abigail is in love with him and hates the fact that Elizabeth is the one with Proctor, and not her. She is also smart in gaining power, as said by you, she is seen as the leader by the other young girls in Salem. When she threatened the girls, she knew she had the power to do so. Also adding on to the tragedy of Abigail’s parents, plus Abigail witnessing their deaths, it affected and changed part of her heavily. A child without both parents is horrible, but seeing their deaths in front of them? That’s the worst experience anyone could ever have. And that’s what makes her, her and part of the reason how these are the factors motivating her actions.

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  14. Abigail Williams, in The Crucible by Arthur Miller, is motivated by her deep desire to have John Proctor all to herself. Every action that Abigail took throughout Act 1 shows clear as day. When looking through Betty’s scene where she lashes out on everyone, basically begging for attention, you could see the truth roll out about Abigail. Betty cries out, “You did, you did! You drank a charm to kill John Proctor’s wife! You drank a charm to kill Goody Proctor!” Abigail (smashes get across the face). Shut it! Now shut it! Betty (collapsing on the bed). Mama, Mama! (She dissolves into sobs.) Abigail. Now look you. All of you. We danced. And Tituba conjured Ruth Putnam’s dead sisters. And that is all. And mark this. Let either of you breathe a word, or the edge of a word, about the 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. And you know I can do it; I saw Indiana's smash my dear parents’ heads on the pillow next to mine, and I have seen some reddish work done at night, and I can make you wish you had never seen the sun go down!” (20). Even though Abigail knows everyone will suffer severely, she still anxiously decides to tell Parris that all the girls (including her) were just dancing. Completely leaving out the fact that she DRANK blood to kill John Proctor’s wife. She wants the situation to sound realistic. She feels that if anyone found out about her drinking the blood it would completely ruin her chances with John Proctor, if John Proctor himself found out it would crush her soul. She is so in love with that she mentally snapped. She threatened all the girls, put everyone in grave danger, and drank blood to kill his wife. Abigail believes that Mrs. Proctor is the only obstacle from her having John Proctor all to herself. She obviously wanted her plan to go smoothly. Nothing can stop her or come in her way. Not even having rumors spread around town about her will stop her. This is how Abigail’s love/strong desire for John Proctor is her motivation.

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    1. If I had known sooner that everyone was going to Abigail I wouldn't have done her

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    2. I agree with everything you said here Mehwish. I would also add that she is driven by jealously as well as wanting John Proctor to herself. I agree with the way you said Abigail wants the situation to sound realistic. If John Proctor found out what she did to win him over, he'd be very angered and now refuse to even talk to her so we really get to see the lengths Abigail went in this book.

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  15. Abigail Williams' motivation for actions is her desire for John Proctor's love and affection. Abigail is willing to do anything and everything no matter the cost and sacrifice she has to make to get John Procter's affection. For instance in the book The Crucible, Betty said "You did, you did! You drank a charm to kill John Procter's wife! You drank a charm to kill Goody Procter!" (Miller 20) This shows that Abigail is willing to kill in order to try and acquire John Procter's love and affection even if that person is John Procter's wife Elizabeth Procter. In Abigail's opinion Elizabeth Procter is "She is blackening my name in the village! She is telling lies about me! She is a cold, sniveling woman, and you bend to her!" (Miller 24) Abigail may say and think of Goody Procter like that but the reason Goody Procter may say something like that to Abigail isn't it due to what Abigail has done. Abigail says that Goody Procter is blackening her name in the village but whose fault is it in the end, isn't it her own fault for why Goody Procter would do something like that to begin with, and beside Abigail is willing to kill Goody Procter just for John Procter who still loves and have affection for his wife Elizabeth Procter, so wouldn't that have the opposite reaction instead. Abigail calls Goody Procter an cold and sniveling woman but isn't Abigail one herself with all she has done.

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    1. I agree with you Hao lin. But i would also like to add on that she is partly motivated by keeping her name clean in the town. Since in the time the Puritans were alive and you were a women who's name has been blacked, no one would marry you or accept you, you'll basically be an outcast and probably end up homeless. She tries to keep her name clean by lying and threatening others with death to keep the actually truth from coming out.

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  17. Betty's motivation is her being terrified that she will get beat up by her father. Betty is the daughter of Reverend Parris. They are puritans from Massachusetts Bay Colony. At the beginning of "The Crucible" by Arthur Miller in Act 1 couple of puritans that were girls went to the forest. Some of the main were Tituba, Abigail, and Betty. Being in the forest late at night was them breaking one of their "rules". But not only were they in the forest they were also dancing. As a puritan dancing wasn't permitted at any moment you couldn't barely have any fun. But what they didn't know was that Parris was following them and stalking them to see what they were doing. " I saw- someone naked running through the trees!" (Miller 11), this shows on how Betty's father saw Abigail naked in the woods. As a puritan doing all of these awful things to them it felt like if they were talking to he devil as if "they were controlled by the devil". Betty and Abigail being part of this horrible action leads to Betty not waking up from her "nap". She's afraid to wake up because she feels that she will get punished by Parris and will get whipped. "It's Abigail. I'll beat you, Betty! My you seem improving. I talked to your papa and I told him everything so there's nothing to-" (Miller 19). Before Abigail was able to finish her sentence Betty woke up because she knew she wasn't going to get hurt by her dad since he knew everything. Which leads to the reason why Betty is motivated by fear. She was scared that she was going to get hurt so she acted like if she couldn't wake up at all.

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    1. I agree but I think another motivation that Betty has is getting attention because in page 20 Betty yells " I'll fly to Mama. Let me fly!"( Miller 20). She tries to run out the window so the people will notice her and give her the attention she wants.

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    2. I agree with you Joana, not only was Betty's motivation to not get in-trouble but she could also be described as a lonely person who needs consistent attention. You stated your claim and evidence and warrant very well. I might add that Betty becomes a centerpiece for town gossip, concern, and even dread as the book's drama continues. Betty fears authority. her elders, facing her troubles alone, and fears punishment. In the Crucible it states,
      "Betty: You drank blood Abby! You didn't tell him that."
      "Abigail: Betty, you never say that again! You will never."
      "Betty: You did, you did! You drank a charm to kill John Proctor's wife! You drank a charm to kill Goody Proctor." (Miller 20) Both girls are talking freely but with fear about the actions they committed in the woods.

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  18. The Puritans' belief in witchcraft motivates Rebecca Nurse to create peace among the Puritans. Rebecca tries to explain that the accusations of Betty being a witch are false and that it is just Betty wanting attention. In Act 1, Mrs. Putnam questions how she manages to quiet down Betty. “I think she’ll wake up in no time. Pray calm yourselves. I have eleven children, and I am twenty-six times a grandma, and I have seen them all through their silly seasons, and when it come on them they will run the Devil bowlegged keeping up with their mischief. A child’s spirit is like a child, you can never catch it by running after it; you must stand still, and, for love, it will soon itself come back.” (Miller 28) Because the Puritans treat the children as young adults, they don’t get attention at all, and at that age, they need lots of attention. Rebecca sees through Betty’s act, explaining it to Mrs. Putnam and everyone in the room that instead of Betty being a witch, she is just doing something similar to a child’s tantrum. And rather directly expressing her disbelief in witchcraft when Betty’s accused by the people of being a witch, she speaks out the negative possibility of what will happen if it becomes a witch trial. When Mrs. Putnam dislikes Rebecca’s suggestion for Reverend Hale to come to their town, she replies, “If so he is, then let us go to God for the cause of it. There is prodigious danger in the seeking of loose spirits. I fear it, I fear it. Let us rather blame ourselves and—” (Miller 29). Unlike the other Puritans who want to let out their grudges against each other, Rebecca just wants everything to be in peace. She predicts that the situation would worsen if people in the town continue to believe that the girls were doing witchcraft and accusing Betty of being a witch, therefore, she seeks for Reverend Hale to come and solve the situation quickly. Rebecca Nurse just wants a peaceful town and hopes this issue goes away as fast as it came.

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  19. Rebecca's motivation is to maintain the peace in the village because the puritans belive in witchcraft which causes her to think logically and express it to the people as stated " Let us rather blame ourselves and...I think she'll wake when she tries of it. A child's spirit is like a child, you can never catch it by running after it; you must stand still,and, for love, it will return soon itself come back."( Miller 29). Rebecca knows that the children are faking it and does not think of witchcraft but she doesn't know the reason why they are causing so much trouble. She is trying to make people think logically instead of blaming everything on witchcraft which she thinks is absurd.

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  20. Reverend Hale is motivated by the town of Salem’s dependence on him. He is moved by his wanting to help Salem search and rid of any witchcraft or evil presence. As Reverend Hale questioned Tituba if she had conjured the devil, he says “Now Tituba I know that when we bind ourselves to Hell, it is very hard to break yourself with it. We are going to help you tear yourself free—”, (47). As can be seen, Hale clearly wants to help Tituba if being used by the devil. He continues to ask her questions and find out whether or not she is associated with the devil or evil forces.

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  21. Abigail Williams in the play, "The Crucible" by Arthur Miller, is motivted by her love for John Proctor. Abigail is the niece of Reverand Parris in the village so their whole entire has to have a positive image in front of everyone. When John opens Abigails mind up to new ideas about the world and life then takes her virginity, it drives her to fight for his love alothough he has a wife. She drinks a charm to kill John Proctors wife, for spreading lies about her and so him and Abby could be together. In Act I one the play, Abigails cousin Betty Parris fakes a coma like state. When she awakes she exposes the truth about Betty drinking rhe charm. "You did, you did! You drank a charm to kill John Proctor's wife! You drank a charm to kill Goody Proctor!" (Miller 20) This is obviously a sin in puritan culture. Things such as what Abgail was caught doing could be interpreted as witch craft. She is willing to go this distance to gain the love of John Proctor although it backfires in her face. Abigail even goes as far as to say whoever tells the truth to her uncle, she wil personally come and kill them. This shows how pretty much all of her actions were driven by love.

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  22. Abigail Williams mainly was motivated to attract John Proctor into her life forever. All she had was unrequited love for John Proctor. She was try to talk things out with John Proctor but things didn't work out. " I'd almost forgot how strong you are, John Proctor"(Miller 22). Abigail would try to catch John attention. She would do anything thing to be with him. She knows that if anyone found out that they had something one night, her reputation would be ruined. She had to be secretive about it. But even if it was going to ruin her reputation, she was willing to take that chance and attempt to grab his heart. "Oh, I marvel how such a strong man may let such a sickly wife be-(Miller 24). Abigail started to talk about John's wife as being weak, sick, and unstable. She thought that was worthy of being a better stable and healthy wife. She didn't think John's wife deserved him. She was trying to show John that she was the one to love and that she was better than her. All she wanted was for John to realize that she would be a good wife, but John didn't agree.

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    1. I wonder if it's solely about John, or maybe her desire to be loved! I wonder...
      Watch as her motivation shifts !

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  23. Reverend Parris is a very interesting character in The Crucible, he is the minister of Salem Village. One evening, he discovered his daughter, Betty, his niece, Abigail and his slave Tituba along with several other girls in the forest doing some obscene practices. They were “discovered dancing like heathen in the forest” (Miller 10). The next morning, his daughter Betty can not wake, he immediately resolved that it is witchcraft that has caused his Betty to not wake. Abigail tried to dismiss his thoughts and say it was just sport but he doesn’t not take that as a reasonable answer.
    Parris: “my own household is discovered to be the center of some a scene practice. Abominations are done in the Forest-”
    Abigail: “it we’re sport, uncle!”
    Parris: (pointing at Betty) You call this sport?
    (Miller 11).
    As we can tell Parris seems extremely concerned for his daughter but is he really?

    Parris may seem to be worrisome for his Betty but deep down, he is more concerned about his reputation in the town, this is his motivation!
    The only reason he is scared for Betty and Abigail is because his name is at stake. Parris states, “Abigail, I have fought here three long years to bend these stiff necked people to me, and now, just now when some good respect is rising for me in the parish, you comprise my very character” (Miller 12).
    As we can see, Parris is clearly motivated by his reputation in the village and he is more concerned about losing respect in the village. He claims that he has worked extremely hard to gain the respect of the people and now when everything is going good for him in the village, he catches his daughter and his niece in the forest dancing as if they were in a trance! This is clearly Parris’ motivation, he wants to keep his name clean in the village.


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    1. I agree that Paris is motivated by his reputation in this town. He doesn't seem to care about his daughter, Betty. He's mostly concerned about finding out who's the witch, and what happened in the forest. he wants to blame someone else , but him or his daughter which is why he's focused more on "clearing her name" than worrying about betty's well being. Even though Betty is faking, Paris does not know that, and spends a lot of scenes blaming other people, and confronting/ talking to many people. He worries more about his position in the town than his own daughter which explains why Betty is faking in the first place: she wants attention.

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    2. I agree with you Dylan!
      Reverend Parris is indeed a sneaky character. He does seem to care for his daughter but deep down he is angry with all of the things that are going on in Salem Village. He is just starting to gain respect in the town and all of a sudden, everything is going downhill. The people in the town are talking witch craft and Parris is scared that he will not have his position anymore. He is more frightened with the fact that there is talk of witchcraft in his own home! Because of this, I really do agree with your point! :)

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  24. Interesting point Sally! I agree with you that Ann Putman is motivated by jealousy. She has had so many children and only one has survived! Rebecca Nurse has so many children and grand children so Ann must feel jealous. I also agree on your point that she is angry at Rebecca because, she believes that God loves her more and has gifted her with so many children.

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  25. Reverend Parris cares a lot about his reputation and is a selfish character.. In Act 1 Parris becomes paranoid and afraid about the news of witchcraft that has been found in his house, his daughter isn't waking up, and the people of the community fear it's witchcraft. Reverend Parris can be impeached of his position as the reverend of Salem Village. In “The Crucible" the author states “Parris studies her, then nods, half convinced. Abigail, I have fought here three long years to bend these stiff-necked people to me, and now, just now when some good respect is rising for me in the parish, you compromise my very character. I have given you a home, child. I have put clothes upon your back—now give me an upright answer. Your name in the town—it is entirely white, is it not? (Miller 63) Parris seems to value his position as reverend and is very cautious of the actions his family do. The witchcraft that is being presented tells about his worrying over his own reputation. As he tells his niece, Abigail, to tell him everything about her dancing in the woods with Betty, his main motivation is not helping Betty, but saving himself, thus this makes Reverend Parris a selfish character. - Carlos

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  27. In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, the character I like the most is Abigail Williams. She is an interesting character because when she was in the forest dancing (which was prohibited) she drank chicken blood in order to kill Goody Proctor, John Proctors wife. She is in love with John and she wanted to get rid of the woman that was stopping them from loving each other. Abigails motivation for her actions was she wanted her name to be pure in the village. In The Crucible Abigail is concerned with keeping her name white. “(with an edge of resentment) Why I am sure it is, sir. There no blush about my name!” (Miller12). This is Abigails motivation, she does not want to have her reputation blackened.

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  28. It is quickly realized that Tituba is motivated by the desire to stay alive and not be punished for something that wasn’t her fault. As a slave in colonial America she isn’t given any power or liberty. In the story she claims “No, no, don’t hang Tituba! I tell him I don’t desire to work for him sir” (47). After being beaten and threatened to be hanged, she becomes desperate and she is willing to say anything to prevent these outcomes, even if this includes her blaming the other women in Salem. When Abigail selfishly blames Tituba for witchcraft, Tituba is confused and knows there is no possible way the townspeople would listen to her over Abigail. Ultimately, Tituba seems mostly motivated for the need for safety and to not be hanged.

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    1. I agree with you Joanna Tituba and she is motivated by trying to get back at Parris for enslaving her. Tituba confesses and then she sees her chance to speak up on all the things she has ever wanted to say to Rev. Parris without getting in trouble. I feel as though Tituba just wanted to stay alive and the only thing she can do is confess and take down anyone shes ever wanted revenge on

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    2. Tituba lying about her cooperation with the devil only proves that her desire caused her to falter with her morals of telling the truth in order to survive. When it comes to life Tituba went with the strongest survive. If she hadn't “confessed” to having done work with the devil then they would have surely have hanged her. By “Confessing” Tituba gained power and with power comes responsibility, the responsibility that was given to her by telling the truth in my opinion was only used as a way to get revenge on the people who treated her badly because of her skin color. However the power given to those that confess was quickly abused by the other girls in order also get revenge on people they resented in the town of Salem,

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  29. In the book Crucible by Arthur Miller, one of the characters name Abigail Williams is one of the girls who were in the woods. In the woods these girls did things that weren’t supposed to be done. Such as dancing and being touched upon the demons. Abigail Willams is a sympathetic person. Meaning she only cares about herself. She also is stubborn,sneaky, and selfish. Her motivation of actions is that she fears her name becoming unclean in the town. Her second motivation is that she wants proctor to herself. “She hates me,uncle, she must for I would not be her slave. It a biter woman, a lying, cold, sniveling woman, and I will not work for such a woman!” (12) This quote shows us how Abigail doesn’t want to work for Putnam. Also Putnam goes ahead and talks behind her back. Making her a liar.

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  30. Crucible has a lot of characters who are motivated by something and Parris is one of them as he is motivated by power and maintaining what he has worked hard for. As Parris wants everything concerning him to be completely flawless as it would be damaging to him and his reputation in the village. The position of "Reverend" is more than a title to Parris he feels like this is a title to uphold and preserve at any or all costs. Which motivates his questioning of Abigail and Tituba for as if they are connected to him and a fault like that could possibly cost Parris his position. In the story these things accumulate to his paranoia about "factions" being against him and the unorthodox methods to protect the power he so desperately tried to maintain. For the actions Parris does are insurances to himself and to the town of his devotion and righteousness as their minister.

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  31. Reverend Parris is motivated by keeping his reputation clean in the town and fear(he is the pastor after all) In Act 1, it states, "It must come out- my enemies will bring it out. Let me know what you done there. Abigail, do you understand that I have many enemies?"(Miller 10). Parris was scared of the people finding that his daughter was bewitched, drawing attention and would make him look like a unfit pastor and surely replace him. He mentions his "enemies" quite a lot. In act 1 he states, "There is a faction that is sworn to drive me from my pulpit. Do you understand that?"(Miller 11). By the sound of it he sounds scared and horrified when talking to his niece Abigail during the time Betty was asleep and couldn't get up. He thinks of his enemies and not his daughter. Having fear of being kicked and replaced from his high position of the town. Who wouldn't be scared losing a high position like that? Back in the day he was in a order of power and wants to keep that.

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  32. In The Crucible, Abigail is motivated by her love for John Proctor. Abigail and John Proctor had a love affair prior to the witch allegations. In Act 1, Abigail and John proctor talk about their fleeting romantic relationship. She states, “ I look for John Proctor that took me from my sleep and put knowledge in my heart”(Miller 25). Abigail is a young naive girl who is experiencing love for the first time. When she and proctor split, she believes that in order to fight for her one and only true love, she must find a way to get Elizabeth proctor (Johns wife) out of the picture. This causes her to go into the woods with the girls, and drink chicken’s blood in order to murder Elizabeth proctor. You can see that that Abigails motive is really clear, for she would do anything to be with her love.

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  33. I choose Tituba because I think her motivation is the most reasonable out of everyone’s. Her motivation is to stay alive not jealousy, not hate, not wanting to be with someone else husband or to own a lot of land, she just wanted to live. She was the black slave of Rev Parris and she confesses to witchcraft to stop from being beaten by Parris. To save herself from being hanged, she said “ No, no, don’t hanged tituba ! I tell him I don’t desire to work for him ,sir” which means that she confesses to witchcraft which gave her a power that she never had so she started giving names to keep that power and to stay alive because she was mistreated by mrs. Putman and accused of witchcraft by Abigail.

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    1. I agree with you Diana. Tituba’s motivation is the most reasonable out of everyone’s. Shes basically good under everyone’s eyes. She wants to keep like that. Like what she did. She went ahead and confessed so she won’t get hanged. Also she gets powerful for exposing the other girls.

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    2. * She wants to keep it like that.

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  34. In the Crucible Parris dislikes John proctor because John Proctor is against the Church.
    “Parris: It is not for you to say what is good for you to hear!. Proctor: I may speak my heart, I think!. Parris: (in a fury). What, are we Quakers? We are not Quakers here yet, Mr. Proctor. And you may tell that your followers!. Proctor: My followers!. Parris: (now he’s out with it). There is a party in this church. I am not blind: there is a faction and a party. Proctor: Against you?. Parris: Against him and all authority!. The Author explains that Parris tell Proctor that there is a party in the church. Parris also told Proctor that they are not Quakers in the church.

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  35. The character Abigail is motivated by her blind love for John Proctor. The actions that Abigail makes are all motivated by her need to keep her position in society and to have a life with John Proctor. Her motivations cause her to be a character that not only undermines others needs and wants but also her own. Through out the book so far Abigail has been a character to show repeated attribute of someone who is willing to do anything she want in order to get what she wants and claims to require, in her case John proctor. When Betty pretends to be asleep for attention, Abigail shows no remorse for Betty, she only see her goal and Betty as something in the way. When the girls that were with her in the woods wanted to talk about how she drank blood from a chicken she threatened them with taking there lives. Abigails ambitions are what cause her to be a character that shows no respect towards others and her self, let alone the man that she claims she is doing it for, John proctor. Abigail is aware of the fact that John has a family and that if he leaves his wife then both of there lives will be over. Yes her life is being somewhat ruined because of the rumors going around that her name isn’t as white as it seems. But that is not an excuse for her actions.

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  36. I strongly agree with your points. Ann Putnam is motivated by her jealousy. She is a broken women who has lost several children. In her eyes she believes she has done nothing wrong and there isn’t any reason for God to not love her. She may come off as an unlikable character because her motives seem very selfish but I think the way she feels is reasonable to some extent. Blaming someone else is always easier when you don’t want to blame yourself.

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  37. Abigail williams is moviated by her sinful and one sided love for John. She is so obsessed with the fact thaty John took her virginity which she translated as love,but to him it was just sex. She thinks he loves her but in reality he is devoted to his puritan values and his wife,Elizabeth. Abigail is highly envious of Elizabeth because she has who she wants more than anything. That Abigail is willing to accuse everyone and anyone including Elizabeth of witchcraft. Abigail is a delusional,calculated and manipulative character and her only saving grace is her love for john seems to be genuine on her part.But to anything else she sees them as collateral damage as to what she truly wants.

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  38. Ann Putnam is just as sly and conniving as her husband Thomas Putnam. Mrs. Putnam is full of hatred and envy for other women in the town, especially Rebecca Nurse because Rebecca has dozens of children and even more grandchildren while she has given birth to 8 children but only one has lived. Mrs. Putnam is motivated by the death of her children. She is also envious and holds hatred to those who do have large amounts of children. Also Mrs. Putnam looks for someone to blame for the death of all her children. For instance,i n The Crucible by Arthur Miller it is stated, "Reverend Parris, I have laid seven babies unbaptized in the earth. Believe me, sir, you never saw more hearty babies born. And yet, each would wither in my arms the very night of their birth... They were murdered, Mr. Parris! And mark this proof! And mark this proof! (16)." This demonstrates, how Ann Putnam sent children and Tituba into the woods to conjur the spirits of her dead children. Mrs.Putnam sent these girls for what would later be marked as witchcraft. Ann Putnam's motivations is to blame someone for the death of her children. Since she is not blessed with lots of children it means god does not love her, which she would refuses to believe. She also holds hatred towards people like Rebecca Nurse because she has lots of children.

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  39. I strongly agree with both of you Ann Putnam allowed for her feelings and emotions to cloud her judgement and prevent her from seeing how she was destroying another person's life with her accusations. Ann Putnam had lost many of her children through natural causes and decided to blame others for her problems but little did she know it would only cause more problems in the town of Salem. She is heartbroken women who has no shame in making people suffer the way she did even though they aren't the ones who inflicted so much pain. Her actions were a way for her to get blind revenge but that still doesn't make ruining someone else's life okay.

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