Monday, November 16, 2015

In "The Crucible" what reasons does Abigail give Parris for her discharge as the Proctors' servant?

She states that it was Elizabeth who had some sort of vengeful hatred for her, and that was the only reason why.  She states, very angrily, to Parris, "She hates me uncle, she must, for I would not be her slave.  It's a bitter woman, a lying, cold, sniveling woman."  She hints that Elizabeth wanted a slave, not a servant, and tries to convince Parris that Elizabeth hated her.  However, it is Abby's hatred of Elizabeth that comes through more clearly.  It escalates as Abby ends by yelling-in a temper-"Good Proctor is a gossiping liar!"  All of the name-calling that Abby hurls at Elizabeth is pretty intense.  Later, we find out why; she is jealous of Elizabeth.  SHE wants to be married to John Proctor, instead of Elizabeth.  And the real reason that she was discharged from the Proctor household is because she had an affair with John, Elizabeth found out, and kicked her out of the house (as she should have).  Unfortunately, Abby's hatred for Elizabeth is a catalyst that creates most of the resulting disasters in the witch trials.

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