Parris 'Motivation Cause Of Hysteria In The Crucible'

Parris’ motivation for inadvertently causing the hysteria is his fear of losing his position as reverend. Miller shows Parris’ concern for his job over the well-being of his daughter when he says, “But if you trafficked with spirits in the forest I must know it now, for surely my enemies will, and they will ruin me with it” (10). When both his daughter and his reputation are on the line, Reverend Parris uses a poor choice of words to convey his distraught over the situation. When he interrogates his niece, Abigail, Parris reveals his priorities in the scandal. Instead of trying to ask whether there were spirits in the house so he can get rid of them to save his daughter, Parris talks about “[his] enemies” and how this will ruin his career.