It is clear in act 1 of that Abigail Williams has the status of a
poor relation in Mr. Parris's house and that she has had to manipulate him in order to avoid
being treated as a servant. When he asks about her reputation in Salem, she lies about Elizabeth
Proctor's reasons for dismissing her and then, on the basis that attack is the best form of
defense, suddenly changes the subject:
They want slaves,
not such as I. Let them send to Barbados for that. I will not black my face for any of them!
[With ill-concealed resentment at him] Do you begrudge me my bed,
uncle?
A little later, Abigail manipulates Betty and Mary
into corroborating her story as to what happened in the woods, reminding them of her traumatic
past, and the power and resolve she has drawn from it:
I
have seen some reddish work done...
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