Foil character refers to a character who contrasts with another to highlight the other one’s traits or to increase the other one’s quality. This method is often used on the protagonists to show the difference of the main character.
In the Crucible, Abigail Williams and Elizabeth Proctor is an example of foil characterization. Abigail serves as the dishonest, jealous, revenged liar and whereas Elizabeth serves as the kind, forgiving, and respectful fellow.
Elizabeth showed her great forgiveness at the end of the story when Proctor was hanged. She reacted “He has his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him!” Even though he has cheated and done things immoral behind her back, she did not show hate at the last minute of his life but leniency.
On the contrary, Abigail who’s the one that steps into other’s relationships even wanted revenge and scourge to her lover’s wife. It shows her calculating nature when she talked to Proctor alone in a room, she lied that they were not conjuring spirits and made his wife looks shady. “Oh Push! We were dancing’ in the woods last night, and my uncle leaped in on us. She took fright, is all.” “She is blackening my name in the village! She is telling lies about me! She is a cold, sniveling woman, and you bend to her! Let her turn you like a–” (22) In front of Proctor, Abigail was an innocent girl who just immersed in loving him and wanted to be together with him. Once he is off the stage, she then planned ways to protect herself from guilt, to manipulate others’ minds, and to get her rival in love died.
“The Crucible 2492” by Mraz Center for the Performing Arts is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0
Hi Heloise!
You analyzed the author’s technique to set off one’s characters by comparing to another, one thing I discovered while reading your blog is that these two characters are somehow related, both are in love with John Proctor, which makes these two characters “enemies” of each other. Therefore, Miller’s choice of showing the contrast between two characters even contributes more to the meaning of the text, I think Miller is trying to demonstrate why Proctor chose Elizabeth over Abigail. What are your thoughts on Miller’s purpose of making the contrast between two “enemies”?
I want to discuss about a specific part in your blog post where you mention that Abigail serves as the jealous, revenged liar and Elizabeth serves as the kind and respectful fellow, it reminds me of Claire’s blog post, which discusses whether Abigail’s action of conducting witchcraft can be justified by her personal desire for John Proctor, the question is: Does Abigail really have the vindictive nature? Or she is just another victim whose action is wrongfully influenced by people around her? I personally think Abigail has shown
Your analysis of author’s writings techniques led to many further connections, you chose to focus on the details instead of the big picture, in which I really enjoyed reading. Have a good day, Anderson.
Heloise, you know what I realized reading your post? We often have people that are the polar opposites of us, and sometimes it’s important that we do. Often I can’t see things in myself until I find someone of similar qualities.
I find myself to be so similar to Abigail sometimes. I am vengeful and dishonest, envious and wrathful of everything around me. I sometimes find myself jealous of things that I cannot have, instead of being happy for the ones that do have it.
I saw what you wrote, about how Elizabeth could still forgive John Proctor in the end. That’s something I know that I cannot do, I’m just not capable of this kind of forgiveness, I’m not like that. It seems so long the last we talked that I can’t remember whether you can forgive as saintly as Elizabeth either. It makes me think after reading this, “Why is it, that some people are just… better? Why are they just better than me because… of what?”
I know you think the same sometimes Heloise, the unfairness in things. Do you think you can ever forgive someone who cheated on you? Do you think you can forgive somebody and find goodness in them even after they lied and killed? Think about it Heloise, I hope to hear from you soon.