Crucible Post 1

The end of Act 1 in the Crucible is led mainly by a shifting of the power. The power is held by whoever's word is being listened to. In the beginning of Act 1, Parris held the power by being the leader of the church. He stated that there surely was no witchcraft in their town. Once everyone started to change their minds, they turned to others with a more elaborate story and more details. This put the power in the hands of the girls in town. This sudden change of power, and how everyone adjusts so quickly to it, is expressed in John Proctor's words, "Why do you never wonder if Parris be innocent, or Abigail? Is the accuser always holy now? Were they born this morning as clean as God's fingers?" (p. 77) Proctor sees this shift of power, and how unreasonable it is.

All the church's beliefs are put into the hands of a few girls, who accuse those who they do not like. Just calling out the names of a few women take them off the list so they will no longer be questioned. Earlier in Act 1, Abigail confessed to John Proctor that they had only been goofing around in the woods. Abigail realizes that a story of witchcraft might help her get rid of the women in town she dislikes. She changes her story so it makes those particular women seem like witches. Almost every person believes her, and she is out of trouble, no other accusations toward her. They make their story long and detailed, and use anything they can to make others seem guilty of witchcraft. Too much power has been placed in the hands of some immature girls, who will abuse it to get where they want.