Who Is Abigail's Enemies In The Crucible

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The Crucible
The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, takes place in 1692. This drama is based on historical events from the witchcraft trials that were held in Salem, Massachusetts. The minister of the town, Reverend Samuel Parris, finds a group of girls, including his daughter and niece, dancing in the woods. His niece, Abigail Williams, then begins accusing local women of witchcraft. With the accusations falling on many women, the witch hunt begins in Salem. Throughout the play, Reverend Samuel Parris is self-centered, arrogant, and disliked.
Throughout The Crucible, Reverend Samuel Parris displays himself as self-centered. When Parris is questioning Abigail, his niece, Abigail, about his discovery of the girls dancing in the woods, Abigail …show more content…
As parris questions his niece, Abigail, about what he witnesses in the woods he says, “It must come out [the truth]- my enemies will bring it out. Let me know what you done there. Abigail, do you understand that I have many enemies” (Miller 10). Parris admits that he has many enemies in the town of Salem. He also tells 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” (Miller 10). When Parris says that his enemies will ruin him with the truth, he is showing that not only does he have enemies, but he believes they are likely to use the truth against him. This shows how much Parris is disliked in Salem. Parris also makes the comment, “ I have had enough contention since I came [to Salem], I want no more” (Miller 16). This means that Parris feels that he has had enough problems since he first moved to Salem, and he desires to have no more. Towards the end of The Crucible PArris appears to fear his enemies. Parris says, “Tonight, when I open my door to leave my house- a dagger clattered to the ground… You cannot hand this sort. There is danger for me. I dare not step outside at night” (Miller 119). Parris realises that his enemies are a danger to him and that with everything going on he is not safe. In The Crucible Parris frequently speaks of his enemies. With Parris’ self-centered and arrogant personality many people in Salme do not favor
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