Examples Of Greed In The Crucible

Through the characters of Abigail and Parris, Miller illustrates that Jealousy and greed can be more powerfully destructive than any supernatural evils in the play “The Crucible” written by Arther Miller.
Reverend Parris is the head of the church in Salem, as the church leader with a Harvard degree he doesn't feel like he's paid enough, he thinks because he's the church leader he's better than the rest of the town and deserves more pay, Reverend Parris says, “The salary is sixty-six pound, Mr, Proctor! I am not some preaching farmer with a book under my arm; I am a graduate of Harvard college” (Miller 29). Parris cares more about his pay and status than preaching about God and the evil spirits in the town. Later in the play, Parris finds out Abigail stole all of his money, Parris says, “Thirty-one pound is gone. I am penniless” (Miller 126). When this happened he said to push off the hangings so they could figure it out. Only then when he lost his money did he realize that there was no devil

Abigail became obsessed with John and would do anything to take Elizabeth place, “You did, you did! You drank a charm to kill John Proctor's wife! You drank a charm to kill Goody Proctor!” (Miller 19) is what Betty said talking to Abigail. It wasn't the devil trying to kill Elizabeth but Abigail herself, she was so in love with Proctor that she was willing to kill to be with him. After sleeping with John, Abigail thought she had made a promise to be with him, “..There is a promise made in any bed-” “spoke or silent, a promise is surely made. And she may dote on it now - I am sure she does -and thinks to kill me, then take my place” (Miller 61). Abigail was jealous that Elizabeth was taking her spot when she made a “promise” with John and planned to kill her, by saying she was working with the devil by falsely accusing