Precarious Parris
Most people would agree with Katherine Paterson that ”To fear is one thing. To let fear grab you by the tail and swing you around is another.” However, there are many that are consumed by fear everyday. In The Crucible by Arthur Miller a certain character stands out as a self centered, cowardly, yet loyal man. Not only do we find out who he his, but he realizes what fear has prompted him to be. Reverend Parris plays a substantial role in the church, but isn't the most faithful man on the planet. Being a reverend in a church doesn't normally associate itself with being self-centered, yet Parris isn't your ordinary reverend. When Parris catches his daughter Abigail red handed defying the church he is only thinking about one thing, himself. He suspects Abigail of lying and demands that “If you trafficked with spirits in the forest I must know it now, for surely my enemies will, and they will ruin it with me” (I, 76-8). Abigail could be tried in the court for her unlawful …show more content…
He explains to the court that Abigail, Parris's daughter, was dancing in the woods. Parris, in defense for his reputation, intervenes ands says "since I came to Salem this man is blackening my name,"(III, 689-90). John has never tried to blacken the name of Reverend Parris, even now he was just trying to stand up for the people being tried. Dishonesty can seem like such a solution when fear is the consumer. John urgently tries to defy Parris, but he defensively says “You surely cannot think to let so vile a lie be spread in the court!”(III, 176-77). Even though John is firing shots at Parris’ good name, he is only doing it to save his wife. Not only was Parris worsening the situation, but he lies in the process just to save himself, and his good name. defying a fellow friend and his wife just so his safety is secure has cowardly written all over