The Crucible: a Struggle for Power

Corruption and gullibility drove Salem into panic and fear. The Salem Witch Trials were written in the book The Crucible by Arthur Miller. The Crucible is a story about the trials in town called Salem; in this town a group of girls led by Abigail goes to the woods and dances. Abigail’s uncle, Samuel Parris, found them dancing in the woods, which causes the whole town to go into hysteria. The town starts accusing each other of witchcraft. Samuel Parris is a minister that is terrified that the town will throw him out for being associated with witch craft. He uses his power as minister to gain respect from the town. Abigail is the unofficial leader of the group of girls that were victims of witchcraft, which gave her remarkable power. She uses the power that she has to fulfill her personal vendetta. Judge Danforth is the single most powerful man in Salem due to the trials. He is too infatuated with power to see the truth. The struggle for power resulted in many people becoming corrupt and single minded. Samuel Parris first denied witchcraft but sided with the idea when he used his power of testifying against the accused enemies to his benefit. Samuel Parris can be credited in a huge part for the mass hysteria that breaks out in Salem. Parris is the one who calls in Hale and other experts on witchcraft to find a cure for his daughter’s disease. Once the word got out that there were witch hunters in Salem all hell broke loose. During the trials Parris is sure to testify against every defendant leaving no one pure. Parris is so corrupt that when Francis Nurse brings a petition with 91 names on it, a petition to set Rebecca, Goody Proctor, and Martha Corey free Parris demands that all those on the list be called in for questioning. Parris says “These people should be summoned… This is a clear attack upon the court!” (Miller 866). He gains power every day the trials continue because people fear him and the wrath he brings in the court room. Parris also attacks Mary

Cited: Miller, Arthur. "The Crucible." Elements of Literature. Ed. Kathleen Daniels. 830-837. Print.