Reverend Parris in The Crucible Essay

Reverend Parris

The Crucible written by Arthur Miller takes place in Salem, Massachusetts during the 20th century. This play is about the towns people of Salem who claim to encounter black magic in order to face their struggles and get what they want. Reverend Parris is one of these characters. He is a monotonous character who only cares about his reputation and well being. In this play his social life is bruise which causes him to reject the morals he should have a reverend, and become mentally ill.

Reverend Parris relationship with the town people is very poor. In history he cut a villainous path and there is very little good to be said about him. (Miller I pg.3). Reverend Parris was not liked throughout the entire community and he felt like no matter how hard he tried the people did not like him, and because of this he only cared about making his reputation better. I must know it for surely my enemies will, and they will ruin me with it.(Miller I pg. 10). Prior to this scene Parris has claimed to have seen Abigail dancing naked in the forest with his daughter. He is asking Abigail about her experience in the woods and is demanding that he know about all the events that happened in the woods. He does not care that Abigail is in great danger because it is forbidden to dance and go in the forest, and also there is a suspicion of witchery. Parris only cares about getting Abigail to confess to save his own reputation, because if word got out that the reverend allowed his daughter and niece to practice black magic it would be automatic damnation. Parris reputation was fairly destroyed and because of his past and what the people thought about him. He began do to all he could to save his reputation from total corruption.

Reverend Parris moral qualities began to fade away as he faced more accusations against his household. -tell them nothing of unnatural causes.(Miller I pg.18). Reverend Parris claimed to have seen Abigail and Betty running naked in the forest and calling the spirits. He knew that it was a sin and that he should probably confess to what he saw. Instead Reverend Parris ignored his morals by trying to hide the truth to save his own reputation. In a way he did not condemned the act of the devil because he lied to his people and to the Heavens by not telling what he saw. It is agreed, sir-it is agreed- we will abide by your judgment. (Miller I pg.40). In this scene Parris is talking to Reverend Hale who is kind of a witchery expert. He is very smart and known through the towns of Salem. This is sort of a breath of fresh air for Parris because he probably believes that if Reverend Hale doesnt detect witchery the towns people will not suspect that his household is the center of all the drama happening in Salem. In reality it is not fresh air at all, it is more of premonition of what is to come. More people begin to detect Abigail has practiced witchery and Parris reputation exacerbates. All the accusations and hate towards Parris becomes too much for him to handle, and his mind begins to boggle.

Reverend Parris begins to be paranoid and think that everyone is out to get him. He is not coming to look for devils (Miller I pg. 28). This is when Parris becomes defensive against John Proctor because he says that Reverend Hale is coming to look for devils that deal with the witchery. Reverend Parris is very paranoid when people associate his name with the slightest idea of the devil or witchery. This causes him to try even harder to get the important people to announce that Abigail has not practiced black magic and to clear his name and reputation.

-it will strike the village that Proctor confess. I beg you, let him sign it-.(Act IV pg.194). in this scene Parris begs Danforth to let Proctor sign his testimony that states he worked with the devil In this scene. This is Reverend Parris last chance to clear his name and reputation for good. This also will confirm that he never had anything to do with the act of black magic or the devil since the accusations have started. Even though he has lied the entire time about what he has known.

Reverend Parris was a selfish character but he played a very important role in his play and a lot of what he did effected the actions of other characters. In The Crucible, Arthur Miller shows how the social life of one character could affect his morals, the way he thinks, and the outcome of other characters lives. Reverend Parris should have done what was morally right instead of worrying about his social status and trying to protect his reputation.