Cowardice or Courage: It is a Choice
Mahatma Gandhi said, “A coward is incapable of exhibiting love; it is the prerogative of the brave.” This means that only brave people are capable of loving others. Reverend Parris in The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, is the perfect example of a coward, and he chooses to put his own needs far above those of his own daughter. Like Gandhi said, it is clear that a coward like Parris is not capable of loving anyone, including his own family. When his daughter faints and remains unconscious for a couple days, Parris only worried about what the town might think of him when they find out; he isn’t worried about his own child’s well being. Reverend Parris, father of Betty and uncle of Abigail, is clearly a static …show more content…
However, by looking more closely at his words, we can discover his real intention. Parris is worried about the people of Salem disagreeing with his decision of hanging these people. Parris trembles with fear and whispers to Danforth, “When I opens my door to leave the house -- a dagger clattered to the ground. You cannot hang this sort. There is danger for me. I dare not step outside at night” (119). Once again, it is plain as day that Parris only cares about his own well being. Danforth, who just sentenced a dozen men and women to their deaths, has far more strength of character than Parris. At least he is sticking by his decisions and not changing his mind based on the opinion of the public. Parris is fickle and his decisions sway with the wind. That is not a quality anyone looks in a man, let alone a priest. Parris is not just scared of the people being mad at him; he actually believes someone might try to kill him because of his horrific decisions. Parris certainly has a weak stomach for someone who has harmed as many people as he has. Seeing as twelve people have already died, you would think that Parris would not fear his own death. But once again, we are proven wrong for thinking that Parris even has one shred of dignity. Parris is scared for his own life, but gives no thought how those falsely accused of witchcraft must have feared for
Mahatma Gandhi said, “A coward is incapable of exhibiting love; it is the prerogative of the brave.” This means that only brave people are capable of loving others. Reverend Parris in The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, is the perfect example of a coward, and he chooses to put his own needs far above those of his own daughter. Like Gandhi said, it is clear that a coward like Parris is not capable of loving anyone, including his own family. When his daughter faints and remains unconscious for a couple days, Parris only worried about what the town might think of him when they find out; he isn’t worried about his own child’s well being. Reverend Parris, father of Betty and uncle of Abigail, is clearly a static …show more content…
However, by looking more closely at his words, we can discover his real intention. Parris is worried about the people of Salem disagreeing with his decision of hanging these people. Parris trembles with fear and whispers to Danforth, “When I opens my door to leave the house -- a dagger clattered to the ground. You cannot hang this sort. There is danger for me. I dare not step outside at night” (119). Once again, it is plain as day that Parris only cares about his own well being. Danforth, who just sentenced a dozen men and women to their deaths, has far more strength of character than Parris. At least he is sticking by his decisions and not changing his mind based on the opinion of the public. Parris is fickle and his decisions sway with the wind. That is not a quality anyone looks in a man, let alone a priest. Parris is not just scared of the people being mad at him; he actually believes someone might try to kill him because of his horrific decisions. Parris certainly has a weak stomach for someone who has harmed as many people as he has. Seeing as twelve people have already died, you would think that Parris would not fear his own death. But once again, we are proven wrong for thinking that Parris even has one shred of dignity. Parris is scared for his own life, but gives no thought how those falsely accused of witchcraft must have feared for