Picture what it would be like to go back in the days of the Puritans. The people you'd expect to see would be kind, honest, religious and in every way ethical because that's how a Puritan should be. Although there were many good Puritans, you'd turn around to see that some were deceiving, vindictive, dishonest, and disloyal. In the Crucible, by Arthur Miller, it all begins with authority and how each character holds their role in it. In the following paragraphs, I'll be explaining some of the views on authority, who had authority in Salem, and what I believe Miller is really trying to imply as the true source of authority in the Crucible.
             Authority is defined as an official power certain people retain. Persons that first come to mind who possess this power are usually kings, presidents, governors, mayors, priests, and any people that head a position. To receive authority, you must earn it by getting the publics favor. In the Crucible, Danforth is the governor, Hawthorne is the judge, and Hale is the reverend. If not all, most of the people of Salem respected these characters and their beliefs, but the question is who influences them? Who did the authorities respect and believe? Who else but a few innocent-looking girls who would do nothing but good for the town of Salem (or so the people thought). These girls were manipulative, and did anything to get their way. "Why, I am sure it is, sir. There be no blush about my name" (Miller pg. 9) Said one of the most conniving of them all, Abigail, Reverend Paris's niece.
             In the Crucible, you'd have to think about whom really took control in Salem. The authority belonged to the governor, the judge, and the reverend, but whom did it go to? It went to these young girls who could easily trick these authorities into believing them and only them. They lied about dancing in the woods. They denied doing witchcraft. They placed the blame on others and claimed that they were the ...