Understanding Abigail's Motives in The Crucible
Why does Elizabeth assume that Abigail wants her dead?
a) Because Abigail is jealous of Elizabeth's beauty b) Because Abigail is in love with John Proctor c) Because Abigail believes Elizabeth is a witch d) Because Abigail wants to take over Elizabeth's role in the community
Final answer:
Elizabeth assumes Abigail wants her dead because of Abigail's love for Elizabeth's husband, John Proctor.
Explanation:
The correct answer to the question is that Elizabeth Proctor assumes that Abigail Williams wants her dead because Abigail is in love with her husband, John Proctor.
In The Crucible, Arthur Miller depicts a scenario where Abigail accuses Elizabeth of witchcraft in the context of the Salem witch trials. This can be seen as Abigail's attempt to get rid of Elizabeth, so she can take her place as John's wife.
Even though accusations of witchcraft were common in Puritan New England due to their strong belief in the supernatural, the motivation behind Abigail's accusation is primarily rooted in her romantic interest in John.