In Act I, Scene 2, the entire exchange between John
Proctor and Abigail speaks volumes about their affair. It becomes clear that John’s
wife, Elizabeth, found out about the affair and dismissed Abigail from working at their
house. Abigail claims that Elizabeth is spreading lies about her. In this scene, Abigail
also tells John the truth. They were merely dancing in the woods and there was no
witchcraft. Betty “took a fright” because Abigail’s uncle caught them dancing in the
woods at night. While this is not deemed as evil as witchcraft, it is clear that it is
severely frowned upon. There is a lot of “tongue in cheek” dialogue here. All that means
is that John and Abigail are subtly referring to their affair. By the end of their
exchange, it is also clear that John wants to move past it but Abigail wants to pursue
the relationship: in spite of the sin of it or the scorn of the
community.
One quote that addresses this directly also
indicates that Abigail has learned of the hypocrisy (pretense) of the town from John.
Abigail reasons that if many of the community are hypocritical, then their sin of
adultery is as justifiable since it is in the name of love. Abigail
says:
I look
for John Proctor that took me from my sleep and put knowledge in my heart! I never knew
what pretense Salem was, I never knew the lying lessons I was taught by all these
Christian women and their covenanted men! And now you bid me tear the light out of my
eyes? I will not, I cannot! You loved me, John Proctor, and whatever sin it is, you love
me yet!
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