Putnam's past justifies his behavior, as least somewhat. His father was a wealthy man, with a will set for Thomas and his brother. Typical of his behaviour, Thomas Putnam tried to break his will so leave an unfair amount to his brother, which …show more content…
She must be taken and hanged!" (Miller 44). Nonetheless, it's really during the end of the witch trials where this Putnam influence really comes into play. The court starts incriminating the women and men accused of witchcraft, and Thomas Putnam is supportive at almost every trial. "... his name is so often found as a witness corroborating the supernatural testimony..." (Miller 15). This passage from the book explains Putnam's voluntary involvement in the trials, "witnessing" the witchcraft of the town.
This means that Putnam had a high influence in the trials, by directly affecting who was persecuted in order to profit from their land. Arthur Miller used Putnam as a manipulative character to help shape the plot of "The Crucible”, yet without being over imposing. If it weren’t for Thomas Putnam's stubbornness, Reverend Parris wouldn't have been so forthright in the accusations as well. In a way, Putnam's behavior enhanced Parris's actions, leading to the discerning basis that Putnam's influence was greater than