One of the main elements that eventually build up to the main plot in the play is power. Many of the characters in Arthur Miller’s The Crucible have a strong desire for power. The Salem witch trials empowered several characters in the play who were previously marginalized in Salem society. It gave them the chance to misuse it leading to horrible suffering and even deaths of some innocent people in the town. Some of these characters are Abigail Williams, Deputy Governor Danforth and Reverend Parris. Abigail certainly abused her power once she realized, at the end of Act One, how powerful an accuser can be, she seized that role. Abigail also gained her power as women in Salem were the lowest class with few or no options in life. They usually worked as servants until they are old enough to marry. Abigail was also under the spell of John Proctor who took away her innocence when he committed adultery with her. As Puritans feared the opposition of god, Abigail’s accusations of witchcraft and the worshipping of the devil immediately grabbed the attention of the court. As Abigail affiliated herself with god’s will, she gained power over society. Her low status and perceived innocence under normal circumstances allowed her to claim even greater power in her …show more content…
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. All of these things were a play to gain more power and control over the people he was supposed to guide. He was afraid that people will blame him and remove him from the position he was in once the witchcraft talk began. Everything he did was a part of an attempt to keep his