In The Crucible, a play about the Salem witch trials of 1692, by Arthur Miller, the
character of Reverend Parris displays hypocrisy. Priest are generally considered good,
honest people, but Parris lies to the community, he puts his ministry in front of his
daughters life, and tries to help himself before helping the community.
Even when Parris's daughter is sick and he is unsure what is wrong with her, he
puts himself and his job before her. When he is trying to get Abigail to tell the truth he
says "I pray you feel the weight of truth upon you, for now my ministry's at stake, my
ministry and perhaps your cousin's life." (Act I.) In that quote, he throws in the part
about Betty at the end like it has no importance compared to the fact that his "ministry's at
stake." Earlier he says to Abigail "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." Then he continues
"Abigail, do you understand that I have many enemies?"(Act I.) Throughout Act One,
Parris makes it obvious that the "faction that is sworn to drive me from my pulpit" is the
only thing he can think of and is more important then anything else at that time. This is
the opposite of what most people would expect from someone titled "Reverend".
Besides putting himself before his daughter, Parris also puts himself before the
community. In Act One, he complains about his salary and the house. Proctor says that
he is the first minister to "demand the deed to this house." When Parris doesn't get his
way he tries to make them feel guilty by saying things like the church will burn in Hell for
not being obedient. In Act Four, after he had wanted the hangings, he makes up excuses
not to hang them. He says if Mr. Hale gets any of them to confess then it "surely damns...