Post by Keegan Wallace on Nov 11, 2007 22:03:33 GMT -5
In the play, The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, Abigail is an antagonist who attempts to gain and maintain power by continuously referring to her past endeavors and accomplishments. Abigail initially obtained power and influence when she told those in power which individuals were practicing witchcraft. Although guilty of practicing witchcraft herself, she was able to divert attention from her devious behavior by accusing others of witchcraft. Abigail’s behavior can be compared to many political figures in America, especially Republican Presidential Candidate, Rudy Giuliani. Mr. Giuliani feels that his actions on September 11th makes him the best candidate for the presidency of the United States. Giuliani’s constant reminder of September 11th and his speeches on protecting America from the next terrorist attack is running thin. Just like the people of Salem in 1692 lost faith in Abigail’s accusations of others, the American people are losing faith in Rudy Giuliani as a viable presidential candidate. Abigail’s attempt to maintain and gain respect and power for her initial actions of the witch hunt, is similar to how Giuliani hopes to use his self proclaimed leadership successes of September Eleventh as a way to gain votes in the 2008 Presidential election; the two believe that the reminder of previous power will aid them in gaining more, however their actions accomplish the exact opposite.
Abigail occupied a very low social position in her Salem community. She was an unwed orphan girl, who rose to the upper echelon of society by falsely accusing others of devil worshiping. She used these lies and fabrications to enhance her own social standings and seat of power. Giuliani was a former District Attorney, and the Mayor of New York. Although these are powerful political positions, they are not positions of national magnitude. Mayor Giuliani used the events of September 11th to propel his ambitions and desires to obtain national recognition. He believes that this national recognition and his self-described heroic acts of leadership will give him the next presidential election.
Abigail through her lies and manipulative ways sent nineteen innocent people to the gallows. She was able to instill hysteria and use the people’s fear to obtain power in her Puritan society. Through her devious behavior and revengeful nature, she accused innocent people such as Elizabeth Proctor of wrong doing. Rudy Giuliani overuses the 9/11 horror and terrorist attack on America to instill fear and hysteria in our society. He does not discuss other political concerns such as a balanced budget, health care, or our dependency on foreign oil. He is running a one dimensional campaign whose intention is to instill fear and make himself look like the only individual that is capable of leading our nation against any future terrorist attacks.
Just like Abigail used her fabrications to rise to power, Mr. Giuliani is using 9/11 and the sacrifice of hero firefighters and police officers to obtain the Presidency of the United States. The people of 1692 were wise enough to see through the lies and manipulative ways of Abigail Williams, and stopped believing her false accusations. The American people of 2008 are wise enough to see through to the manipulative ways of Mr. Giuliani, and he will experience defeat in our next presidential election.
Abigail occupied a very low social position in her Salem community. She was an unwed orphan girl, who rose to the upper echelon of society by falsely accusing others of devil worshiping. She used these lies and fabrications to enhance her own social standings and seat of power. Giuliani was a former District Attorney, and the Mayor of New York. Although these are powerful political positions, they are not positions of national magnitude. Mayor Giuliani used the events of September 11th to propel his ambitions and desires to obtain national recognition. He believes that this national recognition and his self-described heroic acts of leadership will give him the next presidential election.
Abigail through her lies and manipulative ways sent nineteen innocent people to the gallows. She was able to instill hysteria and use the people’s fear to obtain power in her Puritan society. Through her devious behavior and revengeful nature, she accused innocent people such as Elizabeth Proctor of wrong doing. Rudy Giuliani overuses the 9/11 horror and terrorist attack on America to instill fear and hysteria in our society. He does not discuss other political concerns such as a balanced budget, health care, or our dependency on foreign oil. He is running a one dimensional campaign whose intention is to instill fear and make himself look like the only individual that is capable of leading our nation against any future terrorist attacks.
Just like Abigail used her fabrications to rise to power, Mr. Giuliani is using 9/11 and the sacrifice of hero firefighters and police officers to obtain the Presidency of the United States. The people of 1692 were wise enough to see through the lies and manipulative ways of Abigail Williams, and stopped believing her false accusations. The American people of 2008 are wise enough to see through to the manipulative ways of Mr. Giuliani, and he will experience defeat in our next presidential election.