Reverend Parris and Judge Danfoth from Arthur Miller’s The Crucible Essay Example

Reverend Parris and Judge Danfoth from Arthur Miller’s The Crucible are both authority figures who misuse their authority, resulting in a faulty court that leads to the suffering of many. Reverend Parris is the head of the church in Salem. As the head of the church he is supposed to be selfless and lead the people, however in the first act Reverend Parris allows his foolishness to point to witchcraft in order to save his own reputation and position. He worries for his ill daughter, hearing rumors of witchcraft and demands the truth from Abigail, “Now look you, child, your punishment will come in its time. But if you trafficked with spirits in the forest I must know it now, for surely my enemies will and they will ruin me with it” (Miller 10). Out of this fear for his ministry Reverend Parris makes a foolish mistake with no regard for future consequences, but his only intent is to save himself. In a desperate attempt he uses his authority to call for Reverend Hale, an expert on witchcraft to look for the devil in Salem. He is warned not to do this as it will elevate hysteria isn’t necessary for the village, yet Parris does not care. He wants to make sure his job is safe. Parris is a foolish man filled up on pride which creates a church and court that are built on his personal motivation. Reverend Parris believes that because of his education and position he deserves the best. He is supposed to be a selfless reverend yet he complains saying,  “Mr. Corey, you will look far for a man of my kind at sixty pound a year! I am not used to this poverty; I left a thrifty business in the Barbados to serve the Lord. I do not fathom it, why am I persecuted here?”(Miller 29). His high self-esteem consumes his life making himself a victim who is worthy of so much more, this pride follows him everywhere including the trials. In the trials he wants to be the one to cleanse the village of devils and position himself as a hero. Craving more gratitude and respect Parris uses his authority to uphold the girls as truthful, for his own personal gain. Salem is ruled by unfair authority figures and similarly to Reverend Parris, Judge Danforth is also an influenced man of authority who does not properly use his authority. Judge Danforth’s injudiciousness lets the court be manipulated by the girls. Judge Danforth believes that since they are the only ones that can see the spirits, the girls must be truthful. Instead of listening to reason and truth from Reverend Hale and John Proctor, Danforth is certain that the girls’ word triumphants any proof brought by the people. He claims that, “But witchcraft is ipso facto, on its face and by its nature, an invisible crime, is it not? Therefore, who may possibly be witness to it? The witch and the victim. None other. Now we cannot hope the witch will accuse herself; granted? Therefore, we must rely upon her victims—and they do testify, the children certainly do testify” (Miller 100). Judge Danforth’s blind certainty that the girls are always righteous in the eyes of the court, means the girls can blame anyone for their personal gain. His foolishness gives the girls the power of the court and the control over the villagers' lives. In the same way that Reverend Parris’ imprudence stops him from making reasonable decisions resulting in the growth of the witch trials. Judge Danforth’s foolishness prevents him from listening to the rational conclusion brought by John Proctor and the people of Salem to make ethical conclusions on the situation. To make matters worse Judge Danforth’s pride in his authority leads him to willingly sentence innocent people to jail or even death. Danforth is prideful in the power his signature holds, and even brags about it. “And do you know that near to four hundred are in jails from Marblehead to Lynn, upon my signature? And seventy-two condemned to hang by that signature?” (Miller 87). Danforth is proud that he can sentence people to death and the power he holds. He is a judge controlled by his own ego, his ego refuses to believe that he has been fooled by the girls. His disbelief that someone as powerful as himself could have been deceived allowed many innocent to die by his signature. Similarly to how Reverend Parris regards highly of himself. Judge Danforth does the same, the possibility that he could be wrong is inconceivable to him. They are both egotistical people, who’s pride blocks out proper judgment to cater to themselves. Therefore, the pride and foolishness of these two characters overcomes their right judgment causing them to misuse their authority, resulting in a manipulated court that unfairly condemns the people of Salem.