The Struggle For Power In The Crucible By Arthur Miller

In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, we’re introduced to the small town of Salem, Massachusetts, 1692. The town is governed by a Theocracy which means god is the almighty ruler. After Betty, last living daughter of Reverend Parris, falls “inert” (Act I pg. 3) and panic breaks out as the Girls of Salem are to soon be accused of witchcraft. Once Tituba and Abigail confess (Act I pg. 40-46) that people in the town are witches the stage has now been set. Throughout The Crucible three specific people show their lust for power as they benefit from the witch trials. The fire is lit by the Girls of Salem whom in their struggle to avoid being accused of witchcraft they actively accuse others. Their leader is none other than Abigail Williams, an orphan

He states days prior “I am your third preacher in seven years. I do not wish to be put out like the cat.” meaning he fears that even though he has a high social standing he can still be replaced relatively easily. Moreover, his position renders him more important and influential than everyone else, and he is more than willing to let everyone know when he states: “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.” Reverend shows that he is paranoid as he suspected that John Proctor, protagonist of The Crucible, along with others were a part of a faction to overthrow the Reverend. John responds that he is not but if there is one that he’d be glad to join. Being that he’s already above everyone else he could easily use Abigail as his Trump card to accuse those like John who oppose the

Even though he’s already a wealthy and influential individual he’s still greedy. Once the witch trials were underway Putnam saw this as an opportunity. Putnam’s daughter was one of Abigail’s subordinates and told her to accuse George Jacobs of Witchcraft. He was later discovered doing this as it’s said in Act III pg. 89 saying: Danforth: Mr. Putnam, I have here an accusation by Mr. Corey against you. He states that you coldly prompted your daughter to cry witchery upon George Jacobs that is now in jail.” in which Mr. Putnam replied with “It is a lie.” His motive behind accusing specifically George Jacobs is because George holds a great deal of land too and out of all the people in Salem Putnam is the only one who would takes interest and can afford the land. With the new land he’ll become even more powerful amongst the town and can being be considered god like from the fact that his daughter is apart of the girl’s