The Effects Of Abigail Williams In The Crucible

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In Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible, the effects of hysteria are illustrated through character’s actions and lies. Abigail Williams uses her leadership skills to manipulate her friends to accuse others to avoid persecution. Abigail is lying throughout the play and when she says: “ I didn’t see no Devil!” it creates hysteria, because they don’t know if they should believe her or not. (Miller 1. 890) Abigail threatens her friends if they get in her way: “Let either of you breathe a word, or other things, and I will come to you in the black of some some terrible night and I will bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder you.” (Miller 1. 355-359) Abigail lies, which causes everyone else to lie which increases the hysteria in the story.