Like life, humans are always evolving. They are continuously changing and often experience two different ends of a spectrum. The characters in the crucible are much the same way. At different moments of the play they are oppressors and at others victims. This power-play effect is very important in understanding the characters of The Crucible and for the audience to judge their character and credibility. This power-play affect is in many of the characters, but Rev. Parris, Rev. Hale, and John Proctor much more vividly.
             A minister in Salem, Rev. Parris was well-known but not well-liked by many. This has a lot to do with his character which is very controversial for a reverend. At the start of the play, Rev. Hale appears to be a very dominant and self-assured man in denying witchcraft as the cause of Betty's condition. This is exemplified in the quote, "there be no unnatural causes here. Let him look to medicine and put out all thought of unnatural causes here. There be none (miller 9)." This shows that he is quite sure that Betty's condition is not caused by witchcraft. One comes to find out that he denies witchcraft as a cause because he is afraid such news will spread about town and taint his reputation. This is evident when he says, "I have fought here three long years to bend these stiff-necked people to me, and now, just now when some good respect is rising for me in the parish, you compromise my very character (miller 11)." This shows his self-interest in the whole matter and s the play progresses, we see a change in Rev. Parris's level of power as Betty does not improve. From being very dominant and quite sure that witchcraft was not related to Betty's condition, Rev. Parris is now quite dubious because he is afraid for his reputation. This shift in power is shown when Rev. Parris s
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