The Crucible Post 1

             In “The Crucible”, power is very significant because it determines one’s social status. Reverend Parris has the most power in Salem. He has this much power because he is a preacher at the church and respected by everyone. Parris worries about losing his power when his daughter becomes sick. This worries him because he is afraid that the townspeople with think that the family is involved in witchcraft.”…I have fought here three long years to bend these stiff-necked people to me, and now, just now when some good respect is rising for me in the parish, you compromise my very character.” (Page 11) If word gets out that his daughter has been touched by the devil, Parris’ reputation will be affected and his level of power will decrease. There are some other people in the town who have a great amount of power; the Putnam family. They have power because they are a wealthy family. The amount of power they possess allows them to control everyone in the town.

            Near the end of the first act and throughout the second act, more girls seem to fall ill. It is because Abigail and some of the other young girls in the town pretend to be possessed by the devil. When they lie and confess that they are witches, they will be asked to reveal the names of other possessed women in the town. With this power, they can have anyone they want accused of witchcraft. Now that the girls have full power, they begin to reveal names of people who were never involved, and those innocent women will now be tried in court. The power in the town is important and now that the girls have it, no other woman is safe.