Power is an important idea in "The Crucible". Reverend Parris is obsessed with power, even when his own daughter is ill he is thinking about himself and his job at the church. He does not want to believe that Betty could be ill because of witchcraft or the Devil because it would embarrass him because he is the minister of Salem. Even though Parris sends for Reverend Hale of Beverly who is a known witch hunter, Parris says, "A precaution only. He has much experience in all demonic arts,", he does not want to believe that Betty could be under some kind of spell. In the beginning of act one the power of the church rests with Parris. Some of the power over the people rests with Parris, but some power goes to Thomas Putnam. (pages 14-15) Putnam and his daughter Ruth are always accusing the people of Salem, and they are almost always witnesses in their trials. If the people Putnam accuses get sentenced to death, their land goes up for an auction and since Putnam is the richest man in Salem he can buy their land. Being the richest man in town gives him some power in the town.
However, in the end of act one all the power goes to the girls. In Parris' eyes children are second class citizens. That is why the shift in power is very dramatic. The girls have all the power, the most important girl is Abigail because she is the ringleader of the girls. They hold the power because they can say anyone in the town is a witch and people will actually believe them! The citizens of Salem's fear of the Devil throws all common sense out the door. Witches were absolutely real in their eyes because that is what the Bible said. The girls essentially are murderers because they are accusing innocent people of witchcraft and the innocent people are getting sentenced to death.
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