In The Crucible, Abigail was able to manipulate people and events in a way that helped her to take control of the community similarly to how Hitler and the Nazi party seized reign over Germany through intimidation and manipulation.
What Caused It?
1. Hatred –> Pushing the Blame
ABIGAIL: She hates me, uncle, she must, for I would not be her slave. It’s a bitter woman, a lying, cold sniveling woman, and I will not work for such a woman! (13).”
When Parris accuses Abigail of having tainted her own name in the community, Abby immediately jumps on the defensive and states that the cause of her unemployment is the fault of Mrs. Proctor. Abigail holds a deep hatred for Elizabeth Proctor because she is the wife of John Proctor, who Abby is in love with.
Her jealousy and hatred of Elizabeth is what causes Abby to accuse Mrs. Proctor of witchcraft, since she knows that the only person who could prove otherwise is John (who is held back by his reputation).
The Germans were in a political and economical crisis. Rather than admitting their own faults had caused the current struggle, it was easier to push the blame onto the Jews. Gradually, their own frustrations and hatred against the Jews built up and violence was used in order to express their anger (which was really against their situation, but they chose to believe the situation was caused by the Jews).
How Did It Succeed?
2. Manipulation/Sharing of power
MARY WARREN: I cannot charge murder on Abigail.
…
MARY WARREN: She’ll kill me for sayin’ that! Proctor continues toward her. Abby’ll charge lechery on you, Mr. Proctor! (75).”
Abigail and Hitler both held the image of being strong leaders who would stop at nothing to get what they wanted. This appealed to and scared people into doing what they said.
They were also good at making people feel like power is shared amongst everyone, which is technically true because Abby and Hitler both needed the others in order to keep them in power. They were the ringleaders and perpetrators, but the true power is always in the hands of the majority and the majority chose to keep them in power because it also benefited them.
What Were The Consequences?
3. Baseless Deaths
HALE: The jails are packed-our greatest judges sit in Salem now-and hangin’s promised (75).”
“Low Angle Photo of Concrete Cross Under Clouds” on Pexels
Abby and the girls just keep accusing anyone and everyone they dislike. This leads to many innocent people being held in jails and then hung if they did not confess to the crime they didn’t commit. Those who did not confess did so out of their belief of keeping their integrity and the truth sacred.
In the Holocaust, the Nazi regime senselessly tortured and killed millions of Jews because of their belief that the Aryan race was superior and Jews needed to be eliminated. Like Abby, they just killed those that they did not like.
MLA Citation:
Miller, Arthur. The Crucible: A Play In Four Acts. New York: Penguin Books, 1976. Print.
Hey, Paula!
Your comparison between Abigail and Adolf Hitler is quite interesting! I think it’s also worth pointing out that Abigail likely learned to act in such an authoritative way towards the other girls with threats to keep them in line because of her having spent much of her life in that very environment. While I’m not necessarily sure the same can be said for Hitler, your descriptions and writing about the passing of hatred and blame from one side to another certainly reminded me of the effects that hatred can have on those particular people. Perhaps those who do these very things may have experienced it themselves, and instead of processing it they utilize defense mechanisms to minimize this pain?
Great work as always.
William
Hi Paula, interesting connection, this is a connection I had never thought of. This process perfectly matches the historical event. And continue on your point, I feel like this process can be referred to many other events happened in the past or happen in the world right now. So now we know what cause the terrible consequences to happen, are there anyways to stop it before it become worse?
Hey Paula! I found your connections very interesting. In fact, I made similar connections between The Crucible and the French Revolutionary War. You mentioned that Abigail and Hitler both “just keep accusing anyone and everyone they dislike.” This reminded me of when Robespierre guillotined anyone who was against the Revolution or was against him. These actions exhibited selfishness and cruelty. However, I felt that these characteristics were why these “leaders” were at the top. To bring themselves up or maintain their powerful positions, they were not afraid to step on other people or eliminate opposing factors. Do you think that in order for people to be in a higher position, sacrifices, whether it is good or bad, would have to be made?
HI Paula, I’ve noticed that you’ve connected Abagail to Hitler in terms of people who are in power. I fully agree that the reason why they manipulate people to gain power is because they need followers to survive. However, moving away from major historical figures. How does manipulating other people benefit people from day to day life specifically towards gaining power? Do people lie in order to make more friends and rise in the social hierarchy? Or do company owners lie to keep their employees at their companies.