The Crucible Reverend Parris Character Analysis

In Arthur Miller’s sensational theatrical performance, The Crucible, Reverend Samuel Parris played an extremely crucial role. Without Parris, the whole play would change drastically. Without delay, in the opening scene, “(As the curtain rises, Reverend Parris is discovered kneeling beside the bed, evidently in prayer. His daughter, Betty Parris, aged ten, is lying on the bed, inert.)” (Applebee et al. 166) Reverend Parris was the man who had to bear to attestor his daughter, Betty Parris, his servant, Tituba, his niece, Abigail Williams, and the other girls dancing around the basin over the fire in the silva. Not only did he feel afflicted, but this just gave Reverend Parris a loathsome feeling seeing not only his daughter but other girls he knows personally doing witchcraft.

As the minister, he felt empowered over the laws and responsibilities of Salem. “Man don’t a minister deserve a house to live in?” (Applebee et al. 181). Unfortunately, Parris felt he was not being compensated enough as a minister to live stably with his family. Even though he did not feel he had much money he still felt like he had the power to make arbitrations in Salem. Also, the town of Salem was threatening Parris to disposition because he was complaining about the pay he was getting. Arthur Miller did not make it ascertain what Reverend Samuel Parris’s age was, but the audience does find out he is in his mid-forties. “At the time of these events Parris was in his middle forties.” (Applebee et al. 166). The importance of Parris’s age is not very significant but, it is helpful when the reader is trying to make connections from the