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The interrogation does not end, as it would be hoped, with Mary’s speech failing her; ‘I- I-,’ ‘searches for the emotion of it, and then shakes her head,’ and of course, Abigail has the sheer audacity to threaten a judge, as if to remind the audience that she is in control, with, ‘let you beware, Mr Danforth, think you so mighty that the power of Hell may not enter your wits?’ I think Miller’s idea of Abigail intimidating Danforth is very successful at upping the level of tension, particularly as the audience have just watched Danforth begin to see Abigail ‘with new eyes,’ and hence have had their hopes built up, that perhaps he may do the right thing in the end, but now their hopes are considerably diminished. The audience are also aware that in his heart of hearts, Danforth feels he needs to sentence the ‘witches’ to maintain his job and his credibility; similar to McCarty in the 1950’s, as he was on the brink of losing his postion as governer, until he started rounding up ‘Communists.’ He was voted in because people were afraid of Communism and they thought he was ridding the country of Communists- he was giving them what they wanted – without the need for an explanation or evidence.

     The tension suddenly arises as Abigail has a complete change of personality; she immediately switches and becomes ‘frightened,’ seemingly vulnerable; ‘her face turns, looking into the air above – it is truly frightened.’ This throws the audience into confusion as Abigail is using another dramatic device, ‘pointing,’ making the audience focus on the ceiling without choice, as they know nothing is really there. With all eyes on the same spot, the ‘bird’ already seems as though it could really be there; Abigail is involving them in the mass hysteria. Abigail now seems set on completely and utterly destroying Mary, by pretending Mary has bewitched her; ‘shivering’ and ‘clasping her arms about her body as though cold,’ ‘her eyes fall on Mary Warren.’ The claim is made stronger in Danforth’s eyes when the remaining girls follow suit, repeating in an eerie unison, exactly what Mary says, mimicking her tone. Proctor becomes desperate, using exclamatives; ‘They’re pretending!’ and forgetting this behaviour may prove fatal if Danforth decides to interpret as hysteria. Tension rockets as the audience lose all faith in Mary as she ‘starts to run,’ but is so weak she’s ‘almost collapsing.’ This attempt to flee also serves to make her look guilty. Miller could be using Mary’s fall to symbolise her power status, or the fact that she is losing the fight. Abigail begins to cry out, which would make any story seem more credible, as it is difficult to ignore someone’s pain if they are visibly crying; would someone show such ‘weakness’ willingly? Perhaps Danforth didn’t believe it possible to self-induce emotions, particularly those strong enough to bring on tears. Now, we might realise it could be psychosomatic; if you believe something strongly enough, your body might ‘believe’ it too, and this show this; e.g if you truly believe yourself to be ill, you might be sick as a result of it.