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How does Mary Warren face a backlash from Abigail when she attempts to reveal what is happening?

At the end of Act II in The Crucible, John Proctor makes Mary Warren promise that she will go to the court and tell the truth- that Abigail has been lying this whole time about being bewitched. Mary is not a very strong person, and Abigail is quite manipulative. As the play goes on, Abigail’s power continues to grow, and anyone who gets in the way, including her friends, stands at risk of being accused and sentenced to death. When Mary finally gets the courage to tell the truth to the courts- at the prodding of John Proctor- Abigail quickly turns on her. This is the backlash that Mary faces for trying to reveal her “friend” for who she truly is: a liar. Abigail, true to her character, does not admit to anything when Mary tries to explain that they were only faking being bewitched. When it comes down to Mary’s word against Abigail’s, this is when Abigail takes the opportunity to turn on her friend to save her own image. She begins to fake an episode right there in front of the whole court, making it seem that Mary has placed a spell on her. She looks directly at Mary, saying “a wind, a cold, cold wind, has come” (Act III), implying that this wind is associated with Mary’s spirit. The rest of the girls join in, following Abigail’s lead, and claim that Mary is “a bird” and is “stretching her claws” at them. Eventually, the court begins to question Mary and she has to choose between her life and the truth. Because of Abigail’s manipulation and convincing act, Mary chooses Abigail’s side and abandons the truth to save herself.

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