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Abigail states to Parris that she "will not black [her] face for any of them!" She will not be a

slave to the likes of Elizabeth Proctor. She also criticizes (as she speaks privately to John Proctor) Salem for its "pretense" and hypocrisy in acting holy and righteous but really just lying and judging. What conclusion can you draw from her statements?

User Ofer Segev
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Final answer:

Abigail's statements indicate her rejection of conformity and refusal to bow down to societal expectations in Salem, reflecting the historical context of non-conformity leading to suspicion and punishment during the Salem witch trials and in the case of Anne Hutchinson.

Step-by-step explanation:

From Abigail’s statements, one can conclude that she refuses to lower herself or alter her identity to meet the expectations of others, particularly those she sees as hypocrites such as Elizabeth Proctor. Her criticism of Salem's “pretense” suggests that she is aware of and rejects the town's moral and religious hypocrisy, which contrasts with the town's public persona of piety and righteousness.

She views herself as neither a servant nor a slave to these societal constructs and does not wish to conform to the roles that Salem dictates for women. Abigail’s perspective embodies a rebellious spirit against the oppressive norms of Salem, where non-conformity is viewed with suspicion and can lead to dire consequences, as evidenced by the historical context of witchcraft in Salem and figures such as Anne Hutchinson who was punished for her non-conformist views.

User Gian Luigi Romita
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