Talk:Abigail Williams

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Contents 1 Her character 2 Dollars in Puritan Massachusettes 3 Birthplace/Deathbed 4 Age During Trials 5 Disambiguation 6 Strange Vandalism 7 Abigail Williams, Fiction and Silly Vandalisms 8 Relationship with John Proctor

[edit] Her character

In "The Crucible" Abigail Williams was a liar who had an affair with John Proctor. She would not ever be truthful. Reverend Hale never believed her in the first place and was by far the character who changed the most. Abigail was a "strikingly beautiful girl" at the age of 17 or 18. Abigail was an orphan who lived with her uncle, Reverend Parris, and her cousin, Betty Parris. Abigail claimed that John Proctor's wife, Elizabeth, was a witch in an attempt to kill Elizabeth so that she could marry Proctor. She killed off many people to get to Elizabeth, but fled when her plot was discovered as a fake. 69.87.138.35 14:09, 17 September 2006 (UTC)A.R.P.

The Crucible is a fictional work of literature written during the red scare, looking at the similarities of it and the Salem Witch Trials. You cannot base a oppinion of any person that lived in the time of the Salem Witch Trials by the story of The Crucible. The author used artistic licence to change ages and personalities of the actual people. It is not accurate or ethical to base judgements becuase of a fictional work of literature. FRIEND OF VonShroom 14:55, 6 December 2006 (UTC), using his account.

[edit] Dollars in Puritan Massachusettes

I removed the speculation "It is thought that she died young, having never recovered from her "affliction", although some tales state that she ended up as a prostitute for 5 dollars an hour in Boston. Other versions claim that she ended her life in the West Indies." There's no way that's possible, as there were no "dollars" in New England until after the American Revolution.

I also removed the previous vandalism on this talk page.69.58.248.102 09:55, 24 September 2006 (UTC)

The funny thing is that these things can be found some where else in the www. For example here. --134.147.116.110 (talk) 12:37, 13 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Birthplace/Deathbed

This *needs* citation(s), as I have found it extremely difficult to find any information on her. -This site[1] has the relevant information, but, as cited on Book Rags[2], this Abigail (if we are to trust the dates) would be 6 years older than the Abigail mentioned in the Salem Witch Trial documents. The historical record can be less than clear at times so this should probably stay up (especially since it can be hard to follow people's tracks), but there should be some sort of disclaimer. ("... Although it was ordinary practice for young girls to live with relatives to learn about housewifery, we know very little about Abigail, including where she was born and who her parents were."[3])

[edit] Age During Trials

This wikipedia entry states she was 11 years old during the trials on one half, and 10 years old during the trials on the other. Which is correct?

it seems that the trials continued from one year to the next (1692-3) therefore both entries are actually correct.

[edit] Disambiguation

If anyone really believes disambiguation is needed then please do it properly, by making an "Abigail Williams (disambiguation)" page and placing a "For other uses..." link on this one, but that probably-not-notable band oughtn't get a mention-by-name (i.e. free publicity) here. -- Lonewolf BC 21:06, 2 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Strange Vandalism

For some reason, I cannot revert the vandalism at the bottom of the article page. For me, it doesn't appear in the "Edit This Page" section. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 76.209.236.122 (talk) 05:15, 7 December 2006 (UTC).

[edit] Abigail Williams, Fiction and Silly Vandalisms

This page has problems with people confusing the historical Abigail Williams with the fictional Abigail Williams of Miller's play. Plus, folks like to add silly vandalism about pirates, etc. Caveat lector! MacPhilbin 19:28, 8 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Relationship with John Proctor

In The Crucible (yes, I know it's a work of fiction), Abigail is said to have had an affair with John Proctor. I read in "Why I Wrote The Crucible" that Arthur Miller sincerely believed that this affair happened, but I can't find any information on it myself, other than in The Crucible. Was it speculation, or is there any proof that this affair existed? Oh, and if there is proof, I'd just like to say that the almost 50-year age difference... bleh. 68.221.194.114 (talk) 03:48, 3 May 2008 (UTC)