The Crucible Group

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beebatch171333
beebatch171333
Student
High School - 11th Grade

In The Crucible what aspects of society does Miller seem to be criticing through the characters of Reverend Parris and the Putnams?

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Posted by beebatch171333 on Wednesday November 4, 2009 at 1:14 PM and tagged with crucible, putnams, reverend parris, the crucible.

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  1. pohnpei397 Teacher
    Community / Jr. College

    eNotes Editor

    I believe that Arthur Miller uses the characters of Reverend Parris and the Putnams to criticize authority figures (of a certain type) on the one hand, and the rich on the other.

    Reverend Parris is symbolic of authority figures who care more about their own personal images than they do about the people they are supposed to serve.  An example of this can be seen in Parris's reaction to Betty's involvement with the dancing at the beginning of the play.

    The Putnams (especially Thomas) seem to represent grasping rich people who try to benefit from the bad luck of others.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/crucible/characters

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    Posted by pohnpei397 on Wednesday November 4, 2009 at 1:22 PM