Possessing Power, The Crucible

Possessing Power When an individual has the ability to possess control or authority over others, they've achieved power. Arthur Miller's play The Crucible, implies the concept of how certain characters abuse their given power to protect themselves or hurt others. Throughout the progression of the play, Parris's high status allows him to dismiss the truth of witchery in order to keep his standing. Unlike Parris, in order to escape her punishment Abigail uses her power as a guard. Danforth's position allows him to abuse his power for the keeping of the court's good reputation. Thus, as the plot progressed each of the character's power would betray the town therefore, creating the crucibles.

Throughout the evolution of time there have been many individual who have been influenced by their self-image in order to protect their position. Parris fears that "they will howl him out of Salem for such a corruption in his house."(14)

Arthur Miller, American playwright

Abigail

Marine Corps gliders in flight out of Parris Islan...

His fear has a solidified oblivion towards witchcraft. This led him to protect his reputation in the town. His strong dedication to Puritanism abides to his belief that "there is either obedience or the church will burn like hell is burning"(28) His goal was to stay free of Satan. Parris was one who would throw out his will to make sure his rep stayed cleanly. This circulated the idea to him that at the moment "the devil may be among us"(27) Despite his eagerness to point fingers toward anybody but him, his was one of the few characters in the play that used his power more for good then harm. He used it to hold his reputation instead of purposely making convictions.

Many voices until this day of age deliberately accuse innocent people. Abigail twisted her stories making belief that witchery is true. Her opinion is "naught to change"(95) because everyone who thinks not of this is lying. She started all her accusing to gain her utmost love, John, when it didn't work it was through anger. Abigail used hoaxes like the people who were possessed by Satan made her "laugh at prayer."(41) She used her tender age as a power to persuade others in believing. Her revengeful mind increased those convictions to other people who acted as an annoyance or threat. This created her influential image. Her "duty pointing out the devil's people"(100) has turned into a serious death accusation. If she were to confront the truth then she would be hanged. So she used her power, lied, and accused to save herself. Though Abigail was one who achieved power, she was a person who didn't have it from the start.

People who are given superior authority can abuse their privilege by ignoring the truth. Danforth, being the judge, would "rather hang ten thousand that dared to rise against the law."(129) He seemed to be swallowed by gullibility. His lack of acknowledgement to the proof proved his motion of ignoring the evidence. Parris contributed a strictly manner that "there will be no postponements."(127) This allowed more innocent people to be murdered. He felt that the testimony of the young girls was the truth being ignorant to the idea that little girls can't lie. He also was insisting that people "will hang if they do not open up with"(109) him. He rather take his power as a judge to protect the court's rep then to dignify the meaning of justice. The presence of pressure seemed to seize an overwhelming of crime onto Parris. His way of dealing with it was by floundering the evidence. Thus creating a fickled decision for sentencing someone to death.

Throughout this drama many victims in The Crucible we're betrayed by their own Puritan people who abused power through status or traits. Their discrete masks and ranking positioned to what they can control and do. Power is proved to be a given motive, influence or control towards society, just as Parris, Abigail and Danforth portrayed. Although Parris used his power more positively unlike Abigail and Danforth, he still abused it. Everyone who was given a power showed selfishness because that's been what power comes down to, you. You as a person has to evolve through a power of some sort.