Elizabeth Proctor, wife of John Proctor in The Crucible, has many similarities with Abigail Williams, niece of Reverend Parris, yet they contrast also. Throughout the play, both characters grow and change a lot with each situation. Abigail is seventeen, beautiful, and also an orphan. She is not necessarily looked down upon in the town, but just seen as a young, unmarried and dishonest. Elizabeth is in her thirties, a housewife, but not very open and warm-loving. She is well respected in the town and is more of the "good guy" when comparing her to Abigail.

Within the first act, it is clear there is, or was, a love affair between John Proctor and Abigail. Before the reader reaches the scene in which they are first seen together, Abigail had already drank a blood charm for killing Elizabeth. When Abigail and John first talk, it is obvious of the...