In Arthur Miller's The Crucible, the main character Abigail Williams is to

blame for the 1692 witch trials in Salem, Massachusetts. Abigail is a mean
and vindictive person who always wants her way, no matter who she hurts.
Through out the play her accusations and lies cause many people pain and
suffering, but she seemed to never care for any of them except John
Proctor, whom she had an affair with seven months prior to the beginning
of the play. John Proctor and his wife Elizabeth used to employ Abigail,
until Elizabeth found out the affair and threw Abigail out. Although John
told Abigail that the affair was over and he would never touch her again,
she tried desperately to rekindle their romance. "Abby, I may think of you
softly from time to time. But I will cut off my hand before I'll ever reach
for you again." (Page 23) She claimed that she loved John and that he
loved her. Before the play began, Abigail tried to kill Elizabeth with a
curse. She thought that if Elizabeth were dead John would marry her.
Further into the play, Abigail accused Elizabeth of witchcraft. She saw
Marry Warren, the Proctor's servant, making a poppet. Mary put a needle
into the doll, and Abigail used that for her accusation. She stabbed herself
with a needle and claimed that Elizabeth's soul had done it. Although
Abigail claimed she loved John, she may have just loved the care and
attention he gave her. John cared for her like no one else had. In a way he
could be described as somewhat of a father figure to her. When Abigail
was just a child, she witnessed her parents' brutal murders. "I saw Indians
smash my dear parent's heads on the pillow next to mine..." (page 20)
After her traumatic experience, she was raised by her uncle, Reverend
Parris, who is somewhat of a villain. In the play it was written, "He
(Parris) was a widower with no interest in children, or talent with them."
(Page 3) Parris regarded children as young adults who should be "thankful
for being permitted to walk straight, eyes slightly lowered, arms at the
sides, and mouths shut until bidden to speak." (Page 4) Therefore, it is
obvious to see that Abigail grew up without any love or nurturing.
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