Question

Choose a major character from ​The Crucible, ​and using the French and Raven’s Five Forms of Power article, evaluate how that character assumes, utilizes, and maintains (or loses) power throughout the play. What power bases do they use? How do they use them? How could they have used a different power base to act with more humanity in the story and mitigate, or lessen, the abuse of power by themselves or other characters in the play? Make sure that you refer to your character’s development of power throughout the play. Cite your evidence from at least two acts of the play. Make sure that all your assertions are documented by correctly cited facts (quotes) from your sources, and that all assertions are supported with the quote and your rationale. The rationale should backup, or defend, your assertion(s).

Answer 1

Abigail Williams in 'The Crucible' uses coercive and personal power to manipulate and control other characters, but loses influence as her deceit becomes apparent.

Step-by-step explanation:

When analyzing a major character from The Crucible through French and Raven's Five Forms of Power, one can examine how Abigail Williams utilizes coercive power and personal power. Abigail assumes power by manipulating fear and creating false accusations. In Act I, she threatens the other girls, "Let either of you breathe a word... and I will come to you in the black of some terrible night..." (The Crucible, Act I), establishing her coercive power. Throughout the play, she maintains this power by influencing the court's decisions, showing her personal power, derived from her relationships and reputation. However, her influence wanes as her lies build up and others begin to see through her deception, as seen when Reverend Hale states, "I believe him! I believe him!" (The Crucible, Act III) in response to John Proctor's defense against Abigail's fabrications.

Abigail could have used referent power, using her position as a niece to the Reverend and former servant to the Proctors, to guide the town with more humanity, suggesting prevention of the witch trials rather than instigating them.

Abigail's trajectory in the play reflects the dangers of abusing coercive and personal power, showcasing how such abuse ultimately leads to a loss of trust and influence. By potentially shifting to referent power, Abigail may have been able to prevent the escalation of the trials and reduce the overall suffering caused.