According to Britannica's online dictionary, the word lie when used as a verb means to make an untrue statement with intent to deceive. The art of lying was perfected in Salem's society during a volatile time of religious uncertainty. A lie was a tool used as a method of instinctive self-defense in order to deflect blame from oneself towards another. Throughout the community, many people utilized this apparatus and whether knowingly or not helped to conjure one of the largest injustices known to the Christian Church. Nonetheless, although numerous characters in The Crucible were guilty of fibbing, Abigail Williams still remained the greatest liar.

Initially, "Abby's" only motivation for lying was to protect her own self from being associated with Lucifer. Her qualms regarding dancing in the woods seemed to be her primary reason for lying as she looked to place guilt elsewhere. "I never called him! Tituba...