Crucible Epilouge

The story of Elizabeth Proctor is a sad one to be told. For the tale of Elizabeth Proctor does not end on the bleak morning of John Proctor's execution. It is important to keep in mind that our story begins not shortly after the hangings of John, Rebecca Nurse and Martha Corey. We must also remember that Elizabeth has claimed to be pregnant,   saving herself from execution although she was originally accused of witchcraft by Abigail Williams.

Alone in the cell Elizabeth sat agonizing over her decision. She knew she it was right to let John go, yet here she was alone in the world, with a baby on its way and two children at home. A ball began to form in the back of her throat and she began to cry. She cried for her husband, she cried for the town, she cried for Rebecca Nurse and lastly, she cried for herself. Although the tears could pour forever Elizabeth knew she had to be strong. As her weeps resided her hands slid down to her belly and she began to hum the sweet melody of a lullaby. She sung until her voice grew raspy then shut her eyes to escape into the absences of her mind.

“Get up! Get up women.” Elizabeth woke to Reverend Parris hovering over her.

“You are free to leave, for the court has no use for you anymore! Hurry your children are waiting for you”, said Paris. As she waited for the buggy to take her home she began to worry. She had to find a way to support herself and her children without a husband. How could she do it on her own? When she had arrived home she found not only her boys a foot taller and more manly than before, but also standing with them a sturdy man about 5”6 with a clean face who introduced himself as David Murray. He explained that he had looked after the boys while she was gone. He began to visit regularly and after a few months proposed to Elizabeth. Although she still loved John she also loved David and knew she could not live alone. They got married on February 30^th. Not soon after Elizabeth gave birth to a beautiful boy whom she named John. Everything had turned out to be alright, that is until the fatal night of Abigail Williams return to Salem.

Thunder shook the house as rain drops pelted the window pane. It was a Tuesday night and the men had gone to bed. Elizabeth scurried to close the windows but before she had the chance to close the last one there was a knock on the door. Timidly she went to the door and opened it to find no other than Abigail Williams herself. Soaked from the rain and shivering from the cold Abby begged Elizabeth for a place to spend the night explaining that she had come to visit her uncle but he had turned her away. She wept and sobbed her forgiveness until Elizabeth’s gentle heart could not send her out into the storm. As Elizabeth went to gather  blankets and linens Abby surveyed the house where she went to the kitchen. She took a pan that Elizabeth had used earlier that day and hid it behind her back. As Elizabeth came down with the blankets Abigail slammed the pan into Elizabeth’s head, sending her to the floor. She went to the stairs and could still hear snores from upstairs. As Abby walked back to where Elizabeth lay she kneeled down next to her waiting for her to slowly come to her senses. As Elizabeth’s eyes fluttered opened she uttered, “Abby, what are you doing?”

“You took him away from me Elizabeth” Abby explained calmly.

“Abby you’re crazy!” Elizabeth cried struggling to sit up.

Holding her down Abby yelled, “He loved me. He loved me more than you Elizabeth!”

With that Abby grabbed Elizabeth’s neck between her hands and closed them muttering, “He loved me.”

As Elizabeth’s body lay limp in her hands Abby looked down at what she had done. Elizabeth’s hands lay cold against Abby’s leg. With a satisfied smile she placed a blanket over Elizabeth’s body and ran out the door, never to be seen or heard of again.