

Putnam holds grudges against many of the citizens of Salem. This pride that Danforth conveys will allow him to sentence someone to death even when they are not guilty.Ī third party that must be held accountable for the witch trials is Thomas Putnam. This demonstrated pride shows he will find the accused guilty, just to sustain his own personal image. He displays this pride by saying, “near four hundred are in the jails…and upon my signature.and seventy two condemned to hang by that signature” (80). Danforth also shows he is an extremely prideful man. He has a narrow view of justice, which makes him unfit to head the investigation. This indicates Danforth’s ignorance and his ability to only see black and white. Danforth states, “A person is either with this court or he must be counted against it” (85). Judge Danforth deserves some blame as well. Give us your paper requirements, choose a writer and we’ll deliver the highest-quality essay! Order nowĪlthough Abigail Williams played an instrumental role in the Salem Witch Trials she is not entirely to blame. With these actions Abigail sets the tone for what is to come. This physical confrontation makes it very clear that no one in the town is to tell the truth and if one wishes to repent for their lies, they will be physically harmed. Abigail screams back as she hits Betty across the face “don’t you ever say that again…shut it” (131-132). Later, Abigail is confronted by Betty as she screams at her for drinking blood. With Abigail threatening them, she sets the stage for what is to happen, a wild witch hunt. This set the girls on a path of no return, because now they were in too deep. I will come to you in the black of the night” (Miller 113). And to Tituba conjured Ruth Putnam’s dead sisters. Abigail commands to the girls on what to say to the community and threatens them, “….we danced. Abigail led the girls to dance naked in the woods, and was the first one to accuse Tituba of witchcraft. She was the ring leader of the other teenage girls in the town. This culture of chasing demons and placing blame is responsible for the tragedies that unfold.Ībigail Williams started the events that led the Salem Witch Trials. Together, these three characters represent the culture in the town.

Two other men play an instrumental role in what unfolds in the story Judge Dan Danforth and Thomas Putman. However, she is just a child who does not have the moral decision making skills of an adult. Abigail is selfish, manipulative, and concerned only with your own image. She is the first one to make an accusation and led the girls on their lying rampage.

In the play The Crucible by Arthur Miller it is very easy to cast all the blame on Abigail Williams for the events surrounding the Salem Witch Trials.
