Reverend Parris (minister)
What secrets does Parris hold? What is he afraid of?
Parris's daughter, Betty, has fallen asleep and won't wake up ever since he found her dancing in the forest. He finds out she was conjuring spirits with Tituba and Abigail which is a taboo. He is afraid of telling the ministry and the people of his village about it because he does not want to lose his job as a minister. If the people found out the Devil was in the minister's house, then he may lose his job and his daughter. He is afraid of his secret being told to the world and losing his job.
Speech: "In my house? In my house, Thomas? They will topple me with this! They will make of it a-" (Miller, 15)
Thoughts: Parris thinks if he tells the town, instead of helping him, they will turn on him and his family and he will lose his job which is why he won't tell anyone about Betty falling ill.
Effects on others: Many hate him because they think he won the ministry position out of favoritism and others begin to follow his lead.
Actions: He calls in a doctor and Reverend Hale (who has experiences with the Devil and witches) to check up on his doctor which means either 1) he cares about Betty and wants her desperately to get ill or 2) he is scared people will find out about Betty and he will lose his job. He also takes in Abigail because either 1) he cares about Abigail or 2) he wants to look like an all loving minister to his people.
Looks: He is a minister with a lot of money. He is highly respected (finally) in the village and that makes him afraid to lose it all.
Parris's daughter, Betty, has fallen asleep and won't wake up ever since he found her dancing in the forest. He finds out she was conjuring spirits with Tituba and Abigail which is a taboo. He is afraid of telling the ministry and the people of his village about it because he does not want to lose his job as a minister. If the people found out the Devil was in the minister's house, then he may lose his job and his daughter. He is afraid of his secret being told to the world and losing his job.
Speech: "In my house? In my house, Thomas? They will topple me with this! They will make of it a-" (Miller, 15)
Thoughts: Parris thinks if he tells the town, instead of helping him, they will turn on him and his family and he will lose his job which is why he won't tell anyone about Betty falling ill.
Effects on others: Many hate him because they think he won the ministry position out of favoritism and others begin to follow his lead.
Actions: He calls in a doctor and Reverend Hale (who has experiences with the Devil and witches) to check up on his doctor which means either 1) he cares about Betty and wants her desperately to get ill or 2) he is scared people will find out about Betty and he will lose his job. He also takes in Abigail because either 1) he cares about Abigail or 2) he wants to look like an all loving minister to his people.
Looks: He is a minister with a lot of money. He is highly respected (finally) in the village and that makes him afraid to lose it all.