The Crucible: Evil And Greed In Man :: Essay on The Crucible

The Crucible Evil and Greed In ManHigh personal, acquisitions, evil desires and commodious greed took part inshortening the fuse of the chaotic corruption of the Salem witch trials. Amidstthe quiet and peaceful period of the Puritan era in America, not everythingseemed as they were. Disorder and sin heightened the animosity and deterioratedthe very center of a solemn and strong virtuous society. The Puritan belief inthe grassroots evil of humankind is evident in Arthur Millers The Crucible through theactions of Abigail Williams and Reverend Parris.The main character who first brings forth this ruckus is Abigail Williams. Herdesire directs towards John Procter, a married man, and she does anything to winhis heart. She even tries to put a hex on his wife, Elizabeth Procter. WhenBetty awakens and confronts Abigail, about the spell, "You did, you did Youdrank a charm to kill John Procters wife" (Miller 19). This quote allows the lector to become aware of the severity of Abbys ruthlessness. Her loathing ofMrs. Procter goes to such great lengths that she would go beyond the point ofextremities. An example of her demonic acts, is when she mutilates her stomachwith a sewing prick and claims it to be Elizabeth Procters voodoo spell. "andstruck two inches in the flesh of her belly, he draw a needle outshe testify itwere your familiar spirit pushed it in." (Miller 71). From this, it can beconceived that she would disastrously knock down any obstacle to get what shewanted.Another character who brings greed upon themselves is the Reverend Parris. Heuses his high social status as a priest as an excuse to obtain that of which heconsiders is a requirement for such a prestigious man as he believes to be. Inan argument between Reverend Parris and Giles Cory, Giles disagrees on Parrishaving ownership of the chapel house and the amount of money he gets for hisservices. "Mr. Cory, you will look far for a man of my kind at sixty pound ayear" (Miller 28). His selfish self-centered ways are so perverse that he wouldtake receipts of the Lord for his own prerogative. Reverend Parriss voracityovertakes him so much that it consumes him into callow motives. In a quarrelbetween John Procter and Reverend Parris, John brought up past preachings ofReverend Parris repeatedly demanding things of small detail. "But Parris came,and for twenty week he preachin nothin but golden candlesticks until he had