What does Abigail's refusal to answer Danforth's questions show about the status the trials have given her?

Abigail's defiance of authority

Abigail's refusal to answer Danforth's questions indicates her rising influence and power throughout the trials in Arthur Miller's The Crucible. Her evolution from a lowly servant girl to an authority figure in the court is a testament to her growing influence. The transformation illustrates the power imbalance in the society at the time of the Salem Witch Trials.

Explanation:

The question pertains to Arthur Miller's play, The Crucible, specifically focusing on the character arc of Abigail Williams during the Salem Witch Trials. Abigail's defiance of authority is indicative of how the trials have empowered her, an answer most aligned with option C: Abigail's increasing influence and power. Initially, Abigail is a character of questionable morals and dubious reputation. She is an orphan and a servant girl, with little to no standing in the society. However, with the onset of the trials, she convinces the community into believing her claims about witchcraft, thereby allowing her to manipulate the court proceedings to her benefit. Her refusal to answer Danforth signifies her elevated status due to the trials as she no longer feels the need to comply with authority.

Throughout the trials, Abigail's reputation gains stature as she becomes increasingly influential. From being a mere girl in a Puritan society, she evolves into an authority figure whose words and fears come to shape the trials and the outcomes. This transformation invariably reinforces the power imbalance in the society where people previously disregarded now hold significant sway. Ultimately, Abigail's conduct during the trials is a testament to her growing authority and influence, fuelled by the society's fear and superstition.