In The Crucible, people conform under pressure in the town of Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. The witch trials bring about the secrets and flaws of the people in Salem, and are not about witchcraft at all. Everybody has an enemie, and the accusation of witchcraft is an easy way to get yours hung. In Salem, if a citizen suspects and accuses someone of witchcraft, they are immediatly guilty in the publics eye. Very little evedience is needed to convict somone of witchcraft to Judge Danforth and Judge Hathorne. Preserving the appearance of justice rather than performing actual justice is what the judges are interested in. Both of the judges and Reverand Parris appear to be more concerned with keeping their reputation than saving innocent people. The trials are hardly about witchcraft at all, but rather about long-held grudges the people of Salame hold against eachother.
When Elizabeth Proctor finds out that John, her husband, is having an affair with their house keeper, Abigail, she fires abigail immeditly. Abigail begins to dislike Elizabeth, mostly out of envey, since she is still in love with John. Abigail attempted to kill Elizabeth with a charm made by Titubia, however, she was unsucsessful. When the witch trials begin, Abigail sees an oportunity to move Elizabeth out of the way. Abigail notices Marry Warren making a doll for Elizabeth, and uses it to pin witchcraft on Mrs. Proctor. Abigail sticks a needle into herself and tells the people she saw Elizabeth with the devil. This would frame Elizabeth as performing witchcraft on Abigail. This time, Abigail's plan is sucsessful, when Cheever is at the Proctor house to arrest her, he spots the doll with the pin stuck into it. Elizabeth understands what is happening, but has no way of proving herself to judges who refuse to say that witches do not exist. Elizabeth tells John "Spoke or silent, a promise is surely made. And she may dote on it now- I am sure she does- and thinks to kill me, then to take my place It is her dearest hope, John, I know it.