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Hale Vs Parris

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The devil is not the only thing to fear. When rumors of witchcraft start to take over Salem, religious leaders begin to use their power in questionable ways. In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, the contrast between Reverend Hale's reasoned faith and Reverend Parris’ fearful authoritarian approach to religious thought reflects how personal motivations shape one’s interpretation of religious power. Reverend Hale practices his faith through a reasoned lens, seeking to understand the truth about witchcraft, and uses his power as a religious figure in an attempt to serve religious justice to protect the townspeople. First, when Reverend Hale is introduced, the stage directions characterize him as a man whose “goal is light goodness and its preservation, and he …show more content…
Even when presented with the opportunity to harshly persecute Elizabeth for her actions, Hale emphasizes that he only acts according to God’s will. While his actions contributed to harm, as seen with Elizabeth’s arrest, Hale’s motives remain centered on protecting the town and its people. Despite Reverend Hales's actions considerably harming the people of Salem, as many of the women he accused are hanged, his interpretation of religion is rooted in a genuine desire to protect Salem from chaos. In contrast, Reverend Parris uses his religious influence to preserve his power, using fear to maintain his control over the congregation, disregarding the effects his behavior will have on others. First, when the rumors of witchcraft begin to spread, Parris reveals his obsession with status when he exclaims, “I have fought here three long years to bend these stiff-necked people to me, and now when some good respect is rising for me in the parish, you compromise my very character” (11). Reverend Parris believes he is entitled to respect and honor because of his position as pastor, but when his influence is questioned, he quickly shifts the blame to

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