Final answer:
Abigail's blame in 'The Crucible' is a blend of her personal actions and the influence of a society that condones conformity and demonizes difference. While she manipulates societal fears for her gain, her behavior is also shaped by the oppressive, patriarchal structure she lives in.
Step-by-step explanation:
The degree of blame that can be assigned to Abigail for the events in Arthur Miller's The Crucible is complex. Abigail, as a character, can be seen as a victim of her society, living in a Puritan community where conformity is key, and any deviation from the norm is viewed with suspicion. The Salem witch trials accentuate this, with mass hysteria leading to absurd and tragic consequences. Her behavior is influenced by her past and present experiences, including her position within the rigid societal structure and the power dynamics of the time.
Whether Abigail's actions can be excused due to these external pressures is a contentious topic. On the one hand, societal forces arguably shaped her behavior;
however, personal responsibility and accountability still apply, even in oppressive circumstances. This aligns with broader ethical questions about human freedom, choice, and predetermined destiny, issues that are pivotal to understanding the moral landscape of The Crucible.
While Abigail manipulated her knowledge of her society's fears, exploiting the witchcraft hysteria for personal gain, her own suffering and lack of power in a patriarchal society also contribute to her character arc. Her motives are partly a product of her environment, making her culpability a mix of personal initiative and societal influence.