Question

In Act __ of "The Crucible," Abigail used her personal power to influence others by ____. During this scene, _______________ was happening in the play. She was using her power over _____________, and her motive was __________________.

a) Act 1, spreading false accusations; the girls were pretending to be bewitched.
b) Act 2, manipulating John Proctor; the court was in session.
c) Act 3, confessing her sins; the town was in turmoil.
d) Act 4, seeking redemption; the witch trials were coming to an end.

Answer 1

In Act 1 of "The Crucible," Abigail Williams spreads false accusations during a scene where the girls are pretending to be bewitched. She uses her influence because of the Puritan's fear of the devil, and her motive includes a quest for power and possibly her feelings for Proctor. The correct answer to the student's question is option a) Act 1, spreading false accusations.

Step-by-step explanation:

Abigail Williams uses her personal power to influence others in multiple acts of Arthur Miller’s "The Crucible," but it is Act 1 wherein she begins her manipulation by spreading false accusations. During this scene, the girls, including Abigail, are pretending to be bewitched. She uses her power over her peers and the town's fear of the devil’s influence, leveraging the Puritan belief system that the devil was actively affecting society. Abigail's motive is multifaceted - she is driven by a desire for power, attention, and possibly by her feelings for John Proctor.

Answering the given student's question specifically, the correct option is a) Act 1, spreading false accusations. In this act, Abigail employs her influence over the other girls and the town's adults by accusing others of witchcraft, at a time when the fear of devil's work was rampant and any dissent was harshly judged. The immense power she wields stems from the hysteria and panic gripping Salem, which began after the local minister's daughter and niece fell ill and proclaimed involvement in witchcraft under the influence of Tituba.