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Theme Of Greed In The Crucible

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Only one concept is capable of more destruction than almost any other, as it can change a person’s life, or end it. The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, is a play set in Salem, Massachusetts in the early 1690’s. The play revolves around the infamous Salem Witch Hunts and their proceedings, both within the court and outside of the court. Within this plotline, a theme of greed functions in the play, influencing the actions of certain characters, including Reverend Parris, Thomas Putnam, and Abigail. Reverend Parris is often viewed as one of the most greedy characters within The Crucible. An example of this is evident in a discussion about payment, where Parris announces, “Mr. Corey, you will look far for a man of my kind at sixty pound a year! I am not used to this poverty; I left a thrifty business in the Barbados to serve the Lord. I do not fathom it, why am I persecuted here?” (Miller 841). Here, Parris exhibits one of the most common forms of greed. Parris is complaining about his pay, demanding a higher revenue in order to be properly paid for his work. Reverend Parris is thinking about his salary while his daughter is unconscious and believed to be under the power of witchcraft. Parris lets his greed take priority above his daughter. I cannot think of any reason that a father would put money ahead of his unconscious daughter. While Reverend Parris’ greed is the first example of possessional greed in the play, it is certainly not the only one. Yet another antagonist within

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