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Reverend parris character analysis essay
Reverend parris character analysis essay
Reverand samuel parris role in salem witch trials
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Out of all the characters in the book, there are many that contributed to the hysteria of the witch trials, however, of these characters Abigail Williams contributed the most. In the beginning of the play, we see Abigail and a collection of other girls dancing and making a charm in the woods. Abigail made this charm in order to kill Mr.Proctor 's wife. If Abigail wasn 't so crazy in love with John this scene in the woods probably wouldn 't have taken place. Therefor, Parris would have never caught the girls and there wouldn’t be rumours of witchcraft.
Remember how you were told to picture yourself as a judge with a lot to lose in the beginning? Let’s come back to that. You were asked if you were willing to sentence the last of the Accused to death or free them at the cost of your reputation. Think back to John, Parris, and Abigail all of these characters made choices that would protect themselves and it harmed them rather than help them. So if you had sentenced these people to death yes you would have kept your reputation but only for a short amount of time.
Parris is dynamic like John, but for the majority of the story he sacrifices his integrity like his niece Abigail. Not is it until the end of the story Reverend Parris realizes what he has done was wrong. " Go to him! He rushes out the door, as though to hold back his fate. Proctor!
The first dishonest character mentioned in the play is Reverend Parris, a man who has worked to be a reputable, trustworthy church leader. After he saw his niece, Abigail, and daughter, Betty, dance in the woods, he suspects that they were involved in witchcraft. Angry with
Reverend Parris was the only one in the room when his niece was afflicted and has not countered Abigail’s accusations. The only proof the court needed to question Elizabeth was Abigail’s testimony and the proof of her wounds. Also, Cheever continues on to say that Abigail “screamed a scream that a bull would weep to hear”, using personification to show the severity of her wounds and the seriousness of the circumstances (74). These lines all connect back to the idea that superstition is growing in the town of Salem and anyone will blame an innocent person if it means they are not convicted or suspected. The church and the courts during this time period in Salem believed itself to be quite superior and consistently correct from both the factual and spiritual outlook.
Taking responsibility. Often times you will find yourself in an either difficult, or awkward situation where telling the truth is going to alter the conversation, and the person’s mood either for the better or worst, this leaves you thinking is being honest the right thing to do? This idea of being responsible for your actions is brought up countless times, both in real life and in fiction.
He tells Abigail “It must come out—my enemies will bring it out… Abigail do you understand that I have many enemies?” Reverend Parris is more concerned about his own reputation being hurt then Betty not dying. He tells Abigail that his ministry is at stake before he says that he cares about if Betty will be okay.
Reverend Parris was in a position of power as the town 's spiritual leader, but he was insecure about his authority. He was willing to say and do whatever it takes to retain control. He was obsessed with maintaining his power because he wasn’t brave enough. We knew that Parris was consistently preaching hellfire before the incident of the girls practicing witchcraft in the forest. He demanded more money and acted as if he deserved more.
“’She makes me drink blood”’ says Abigail (Miller 160). The Crucible is a play written by Arthur Miller. The play takes place during the Salem Witch Trials, where many people were accused of witchcraft. The accused were either jailed or hanged. In the play many characters are blind to the truth and are changing the path of life.
During the Witch Trials, Parris’ teachings also revolved more around Satan and a person’s sinful ways. Lastly, the final effect of the Salem Witch Trials was that it affected many individuals personally. Reverend Parris’ reputation became so horrible, they voted him out of the church. Then, John Procter was convicted of witchcraft and hung. Meanwhile, Abigail was driven out of town and thought to have become a prostitute in Boston.
Abigail is extremely concerned with her well-being and reputation. In Act One, Reverend Parris confronts Abigail about dancing in the forest, and, instead of confessing, she begins denouncing others. This illustrates how she is willing to allow others to be harmed because of her extreme fear. One example of this is when Abigail states, “Not I sir—Tituba and Ruth” (Miller 15). The character of the residents of Salem is not exceptional.
If Abigail, John, and Elizabeth would have been honest to begin with then many innocent people would not have lost their lives and left the town in despair. Abigail Williams lied to many people a during the entire story. In Act 1, Abigail made Reverend Parris believe that she was dismissed from working for the Proctors was due to the fact that “She (Elizabeth) hates me, uncle, she must, for I would not be her slave. It’s a bitter woman, a lying, cold, sniveling woman, and I will not work for such a woman!” (Miller, 140).
Parris has a twisted view on people, life, and his community in general. He is a self-centered and absorbed man who cares only about his reputation. Throughout Act 1 he is only worried about Betty or Abigail tainting
(Act I. line 158-167). In the begging of the book Parris stand before his daughter’s bed and talk to Abigail what happened in the wood. At first we will think he is a good father who worried about his daughter, but then throughout his sentences we know he is just care about his position as a minister. “You people seem not to comprehend that a minister is the Lord’s man in the Parish; a minister is not to be so lightly crossed and contradicted—”(Act I. line 823-827). Parris's repeated demonstrations of exceedingly selfish behavior don't help him.
Reverend Parris is a self centered man who care only about himself and his reputation. When he talks to Abigail he show how worried he is about his reputation by saying “I must know it now, for surely my enemies will, and they will ruin me with it. ”(Miller, 170). This shows how self centered he is because he is only worried about his enemies ruining
