''The Crucible'' - Corruption (Nicole,Scott,Carley)

Corruption - ‘‘Dishonesty and illegal behaviour by people in positions of power’’

Characterisation

Abigail and the girls manage to put themselves in position of power.
(powers of manipulation)
They were like sheep, one said something ant the others followed/agreed.
They were bullied by Abigail (the leader) as she was very strong and had a major influence on them.
Elizabeth and John Proctor are in a similar situation after John confesses to lechery. Elizabeth lies to protect John which cost him his innocence, reputation and life - there was a lot at stake when she gave her answer to the judge.
Abigail denies that she and the other girls conjured spirits but reacts by pretending to be under the influence of witchcraft and pretends there is a yellow bird. She and the other girls mock Mary warren so that it looks as though Mary is lying. Eventually Mary agrees with them as she cannot cope with the pressure she is put under by John Proctor and the other people in the community.

Key Scenes

Abigail: ‘‘Now look you. All of you. We danced. And Tituba conjured Ruth Putnam’s dead sisters. And that is all. And mark this. Let either of you breathe a word, about the other things, and I’ll come to you in the black of some terrible night and I will bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder you. And you know I can do it.’’
Throughout the novel, Abigail accuses various other innocent people and tries to maintain her ‘innocence’ by denying everything
‘’ she and all the girls run to one wall. Shielding their eyes. And now, as though cornered, they let out a gigantic scream, and Mary, as though infected opens her mouth and screams with them. Gradually ABIGAIL and the GIRLS leave off, until only MARY is left there, staring up at the ‘bird’ screaming madly. All watch her, horrified by this evident fit. ‘’
This shows how Abigail mimic what Mary Warren says and all the other girls follow her as Abigail influences them drastically to make out Mary
Warrens is lying

Quotations & Stage Directions

‘‘But it is a whore’s vengeance, and you must see it’’
Proctor is trying to show that it was Abigail twisting and manipulating the situation
MERCY (moving menacingly towards Mary) Act 1 ABIGAIL (smashes her across the face) ‘‘I can make you wish you had never seen the sun go down.’’
Abigail threatens all the girls to stay on her side
‘‘I never called him! Tituba, Tituba…’’
‘‘I didn’t see no Devil! Betty, wake up, Betty! Betty!’’
‘‘I saw Goody Hawkins with the Devil!’’
‘‘I saw Goody Ruth with the Devil!’’
‘‘I saw goody Sibber with the Devil!’’
These quotes show how manipulative Abigail is and how all the other girls are easily bullied by Abigail. She puts the blame on anyone else, not worrying about the consequences.
(trembling, his life collapsing about him): ‘‘I have known her, sir. I have known her.’’
This quotes shows John confessing to lechery
‘‘Abigail leads the girls to the woods, your honour, and they have danced there naked’’
‘‘Mary tell the governor how you danced in the woods’’
These quote show that they committed a crime by dancing in the woods and are accused of witchcraft
‘‘ABIGAIL rises, staring as though inspired and cries out.’’
As she is speaking, BETTY is rising from the bed, a fever in her eyes, and picks up the chant.’’