Salem Possessed Essay Prompt

Question

Focus on Samuel Parris. How should we understand him, his motivations during the witch crisis and his responsibility for the trials? Start with what Boyer and Nissenbaum tell us, but don't simply summarize their version. Instead, work with what evidence provided in Salem Possessed and develop your own character study of Parris. What did he care about? What were his fears? What were the most important facets of his character? How much responsibility does he bear for the crisis and why? What was the relationship between Parris and power? What accounts for his rise, and for his fall?

Answer 1

In numerous ways, some of which are based on the actual person, Parris is demonstrated to be abhorrent. This village pastor thinks of himself as a godly guy, but in reality, his motivations are solely selfish.

The Proctor family is one of the numerous parishioners who no longer regularly attend church as a result of Parris' preaching of hellfire and damnation, which has alienated many Salem citizens. He feels hounded by many Salem residents as a result of his unpopularity. However, a few locals, including Mr. and Mrs. Putnam, do support his strict interpretation of spiritual authority.

Parris' reputation is one of his key worries throughout the book. His primary concerns when his own daughter becomes unwell are not for her well-being but rather for what the community will think of him if they believe he is practicing witchcraft in his home. For example, Parris ignores Mary Warren's testimony that she and the girls were only ever acting like they were possessed by witchcraft; he would rather continue the trials than deal with the disgrace of his daughter and niece being labeled as liars.

Parris was a biased jurist. Parris is portrayed as an accuser in court, accusing the victims until they either concede or give up trying to defend themselves. He is a party to the procedures and trials' instigation. Witches are communists, he accuses people over and over, feeding those who confess information covertly, causing them to accuse the innocent for vengeance.

Even though he hides it behind a show of holiness, Parris nevertheless has selfish motives. For instance, he previously desired gold candlesticks for his church. John Proctor claims that as a result, up until he obtained the candlesticks, the reverend exclusively preached about them. Additionally, Proctor once noted that none of Salem's earlier pastors had ever bought a property. On the other hand, Parris insists on seeing the title to his property. He also wants an official claim to his property because he worries that the locals will kick him out of the community.

Throughout the story's conclusion, Parris' lack of redeeming characteristics is still evident. He only cares about preventing the town from turning against him and possibly murdering him in revenge, which is why he wishes to spare John Proctor from the hangman's noose. He refuses to accept responsibility even after Abigail steals his money and flees, which makes his c