By: David l, Lauren, Maral and
Manuel

• Quote: ‘Abigail, I have fought here three long years to bend these stiff-nerved people to me, and now, just now, when some good respect is rising for me…’
• Significance: This quote conveys that
Parris is very protective of his reputation is
Salem, and he clearly dislikes people.

• Quote: ‘I am certain there be no element of witchcraft here.’
• Significance: He lies to protect his name and his power, as he does not mention the activity that took place with the girls dancing in the forest.

• Quote: ‘Now look you, child, your punishment will come in its time. But you trafficked with spirits in the forest I must know it now, for surely my enemies will, and they will ruin me with it.’
• Significance: Parris is talking to Abigail in this context. He saw the girls dance in the forest, and he wants the real truth from her. He is eager to know because he knows that his enemies could figure it out first, and that they would bring down his name and reputation. This shows that Parris really likes power over others and would do anything to maintain his position.

• Quote: ‘The salary is sixty-six pound, Mr.
Proctor! I am not some preaching farmer with a book under my arm, I am a graduate of Harvard
College.’
• Significance: This reveals that Parris is very arrogant, stingy and likes his appearance more than his ‘spirituality’. He also has a habit of putting the people that are in his way of his power in Salem down, like John Proctor.

• Quote: ‘There is either obedience or the church will burn like Hell is burning!’
• Significance: This quotation also relates to the fact that Parris loves his power. His use of rhetoric language in his statement implies to
Proctor that he is the only path that leads to goodness in Salem, even thought it is not true.
Parris’ main goal is to survive in the top of the hierarchy chart, and not to be demoted because of a rumor/lie that has spread through the clueless civilians of Salem.

From the gathering of these quotations throughout acts one, two and three of the story, it has been concluded that Parris:
• Is a hypocrite and a greedy and heartless man
• Has no integrity, as he only cares about the outside appearance of everything
• Loves his authority in the community, and would do anything in his power to keep it that way.