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The Crucible Corruption Analysis

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The primary purpose of a government should be to protect and serve its people, right? Not always. Consider this; what if the governments top priority is really itself? In Arthur Millers The Crucible, their government becomes selfish and exhibits corruption, argues evidence, and is unfair to its people. Governments tend to move away from the best interest of the people and only serve the agendas of a few to preserve their own reputation. One example of government only looking to preserve its reputation is exhibited in Act I when Parris attempts to save face. Reverend Parris is the minister of Salem's church and has been for a short time. The church is the central body of authority in this community along with the court. One night, Parris comes …show more content…

The hangings have begun and chaos has fallen upon Salem. The cows roam the streets and farms are left abandoned. Danforth remains intent on seeing each hanging carried out and refuses to change his stance. Even Parris has realized what is happening and begins to come to his senses. Parris pleads with Danforth, "Excellency, I would postpone these hangin’s for a time" (IV.200-201). But Danforth refuses and states "There will be no postponement" (IV.202). Danforth refuses to listen to the people, he will not even consider what they have to say. He begins to defend himself, "Now hear me, and beguile yourselves no more. I will not receive a single plea for pardon or postponement. Them that will not confess will hang. Twelve are already executed..." (IV.252-255). Danforth tells the people to stop the requests for pardon and postponement because he refuses to listen to them. Danforth is beginning to ponder the decisions he has made and whether or not they were the right ones. Whether he believes he did the right thing or not, he refuses to postpone the hangings in an attempt to show his confidence while also saving his reputation and without having to swallow his pride. Danforth is selfish and unwilling to reason. As a main figure of the government he embodies the selfishness and unfairness of the …show more content…

Instead of focusing on the betterment of the people, governments put emphasis on their own reputation and what is in their best interest. So, does a government benefit or damage the lives of human beings? The question has to be asked; Is a government truly for the people or for

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582 Words | 3 Pages

(To Parris) How do you propose, then? Parris: Excellency, I would postpone these hangin’s for a time. Danforth: There will be no postponement.” This shows that the judge, Danforth, refused to listen to his top advisor when he told him to postpone the hangings.

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1832 Words | 8 Pages

The Epilogue of Parris After being voted from office, Parris had nowhere to go, but he would never let the citizens of Salem see his apprehension. He knew God had a purpose for him and obviously Salem was not where he was meant to bring forth God’s blessing. That is why he planned to travel to Boston and share God’s blessing with people who would respect him. However, after days of walking in the sweltering heat of Massachusetts in July, his usually well groomed face was now covered in scruff and his clothes had turned a strange off white color from excessive sweating.

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818 Words | 4 Pages

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!

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447 Words | 2 Pages

Judge Danforth’s unwavering egotism culminates in the unfortunate deaths of Salem townsfolk. Arthur Miller’s classic play The Crucible demonstrates how the actions of one person can affect many others. Judge Danforth cares more about his own reputation than what is right. Often times people try to think of what is right instead of saving their own face, Judge Danforth is an exception to this stereotype. The Salem Witch Trials were a horrible time where many people lost their lives due to an unjust court system.

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1948 Words | 8 Pages

Why is Giles Cory expelled from court? Why won’t Danforth hear his evidence? Why is Cory arrested? Giles Cory was expelled from court because he would not list people who signed the document about Putnam wanting to take land. Danforth won’t listen to him for this reason.

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1375 Words | 6 Pages

Danforth suspects he might have made a grave mistake but he keeps the hanging proceedings as they are nonetheless, for if he chooses to listen to Parris' advice, thus he allows the people to question the integrity of his authority , the court and the church, and that is something he would not permit to happen ( Brown

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1112 Words | 5 Pages

As Bob Marley once said, “The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.” Integrity is the quality of being honest and upholding one’s morals and principles. Living in a fast-paced and ever-changing society, human beings have come into contact with adversity and hardship all throughout history. Those who act with integrity during tough times have a major influence on those around them, and taking a stand and upholding ones’ beliefs and morals at great self sacrifice can inspire and encourage others to do the same. Arthur Miller’s 1953 play, The Crucible is a prime example of upholding integrity, and the characters within the play face difficult choices between doing

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1240 Words | 5 Pages

The Salem witch trials were a time period when any individual could be accused of witchcraft for numerous reasons. In The Crucible, Arthur Miller focuses on the deviation of the trials and how the town’s most religious and honest members of the community are tried with witchcraft. John Proctor, the town’s most honest man, is accused of being a witch and must decide if he should confess or not. Proctor’s confession will stop the town from rebelling and uphold the reputations of Deputy Governor Danforth and Reverend Parris. Hale also wishes for Proctor’s confession so he does not have to feel responsible if Proctor were to be hanged for his witchcraft accusations.

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1064 Words | 5 Pages

In The Crucible, the normal social and moral order is completely inverted. Salem was a secluded village in Massachusetts that was a strict, theocratic, hierarchical, patriarchal society where power and morality were two incredibly important aspects within the community. The men of Salem held all of the political power in the community and their rule was strengthened not only by the law but also by the hypothetical approval of God. However, the Salem witch trials empowered several individuals in The Crucible who were formerly marginalized and powerless and similarly inverted the normal moral order in Salem by forcing the characters in the play to make a decision between adhering to or abandoning their fundamental morals in order to survive or

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1002 Words | 5 Pages

The Declaration of Independence states, “--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…”. In the article Why Government, it states, “But Locke also believed that governments should protect people’s natural rights.” Both of these quotes show that the purpose for creating government, is so that the protection of the natural rights of the people is ensured. Also, the idea that these fair powers are just what Men (human beings) are receiving and what they should receive from the creation of governments. Both of these quotes combine with each other, because of the pinpointed idea of how the government was created in order to benefit to the natural rights of the people, and to protect these

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540 Words | 3 Pages

Now Parris cries out: You cannot hang this sort. There is danger for me. I dare not step outside at night!” He is defending himself even towards the end of the book. He is afraid for himself and his reputation he doesn’t care about the lives of those set to

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149 Words | 1 Pages

I think the purpose of government is to make and enforce laws the main purpose of government is to protect it citizen. The purpose of government is to keep strict order and to stop is citizens from hurting one another. An effective system of government protection it citizens. The purpose of government is to ensure the safety of the nation and its resident. While other concerns such as economic growth are important, governments primary duty is keep people save.

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431 Words | 2 Pages

(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.

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930 Words | 4 Pages

Danforth used his hierarchy to take advantage of people and situations. This still happens today all around the world. History has shown time and time again that power corrupts. A recent example can be seen in Guatemala, a country that has struggled with corruption of power for a decade. In the most current case

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1025 Words | 5 Pages

In the present world governments have many jobs including: • Providing for the security of their country. • Keeping order. • Establishing a system of justice so that people are treated fairly. • Providing welfare services to those in need.

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