Power And Authority In The Crucible

“Absolute power corrupts even when exercised for humane purposes. The benevolent despot who sees himself as a shepherd of the people still demands from others the submissiveness of sheep.” (ERIC HOFFER.) Power is the ability to do or acts on something in a particular way, especially as a quality; Authority is having the right or power to give out orders, act a certain way, and enforce obedience. Power and authority is a big part of the world has a big influence on various subjects worldwide: literature, workplaces, and families.

Both power and authority essentially play throughout the literature in various ways. For instance, in the story called The Crucible, shows the power and authority being used by those who benefited themselves and others. As well as

it was abused by those who wanted to help themselves.
One example from The Crucible displaying power benefiting others is John Proctor had the power of building and personal morality coming from his hate of hypocrisy and his steady manner; which in the future benefited his fellow friends and strangers of Salem.

Proctor’s power being his personal morality brought him to rip up the statement that claimed he was a witch that would be hung on the church, however, he ripped it up to save his name and his friends. In the story, it says, “Beguile me not! I blacken all of them when this is nailed to the church the very day they hang for silence” (Miller 239). Although there was a benefit of power, there’s a misuse that played out too. During the accusations and trials of witchcraft, Abigail Williams abused her power by threatening the girls not to speak of what she had done while they danced. Abigail struck fear into the girls because she feared she’d be hung from drinking blood to bewitch Elizabeth Proctor and call John Proctor her own. In the book it's written, “Let either of you breathe a word, or the edge of a word, about the other things, and I will come to you in the black of some terrible night and I will bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder you.” (Miller

175).
Another example would be with the abuse of authority and the advantage of authority. Judge Danforth had abused his authority because his high reputation and pride had prevented him from listening to those who had opposed against the hanging “Twelve are already executed, the names of these seven are given out, and the village expects to see them die this morning. Postponement now speaks a floundering on my part; reprieve or pardon must cast doubt upon the guilt of them that died till now. While I speak God’s law, I will not crack its voice with whimpering.” (Miller 233). Danforth didn’t stop hangings of the innocent for fear he thought his authority would be questioned as a leader. Reverend Hale is one that had a positive authority benefit of being a pastor, spiritual doctor, and his want to drive the devil out of Salem. He was sent to Salem to run the devil out of the town, he was well-respected from his past events along with his high belief in God. For instance, in the story Mr. Putnam had told Mr. Hale when Hale arrived in Salem had said “It does not seem to help us today, Mr. Hale. We look to you to come to our house and save our child.” (Miller 184). However, it farther along his realization of the girls lying made his authority level lower.
3. Power and Authority in the Workplace

4. Power and Authority in Families

5. Conclusion