Abby, Abby, I’ll never hurt you no more!
– Arthur Miller
The Crucible, Act 3. Mary Warren, as she sobs in court, declares her love for God and rushes to Abigail. In speaking her final line in the play to Abby, Mary acknowledges that the 17-year-old is now one of the most powerful people in Salem. Mary has changed sides again, returning back to Abby for her protection. The stage directions underline Abby’s power: "They all watch, as Abigail, out of her infinite charity, reaches out and draws the sobbing Mary to her, and then looks up to Danforth." As for Mary, she proves too weak and submissive and cowardly to stand up for what she knows is morally right. She is a symbol of evil triumphing over good.