Affair With Abigail Williams example essay topic

When you are at a higher position then another person that does not essentially make you a good human being. What is good is thought to be beneficial. What is evil is thought to be destructive. But defining good and evil is still a central question of moral values, one that has been thought about in both philosophical and spiritual terms. Authority offers no guarantee of goodness. Reverend Parris feels that his Harvard education gives him authority over others, and deserves more then the town is willing giving him.

He slaps Abigail and is more concerned about his reputation then the truth. He doesn't want to be thought of as a bad individual or get a bad character in the town because of something his niece did. This shows he is not a good leader because a good leader would be most concerned about the truth of the matter and not what is best for his own personal good. "He believed he was being persecuted wherever he went despite his best efforts to win people and God to his side". (Literature Book- pg. 1089) What he means when he says that he is being persecuted wherever he goes, is that he is being looked at as Abigail's Uncle and automatically judged because of what the people are hearing about her doings and such. Despite the bad things, he does tend to frequently pray but appears God fearing.

He is motivated by respect. Then there is John Proctor, who is also considered someone in authority because he knows how to read, and reads often. "Proctor respected, and even feared in Salem, has come to regard himself as a kind of fraud". (Literature Book- pg. 1098) He does not attend church, and does not feel he needs to because of his dislike for Reverend Parris. "I see no light of God in that Man". (Literature Book- pg. 1120) Furthermore, he beats his servant Marry Warren.

In addition to that, he had an affair with Abigail Williams, and he lied to his wife about it. His motivation is self-righteousness. Along with that, there is Abigail Williams herself. She has authority over all the girls, not to mention her insensitive words and horrifying threats she says to them.

"Now look you. All of you. We danced and Tituba conjured Ruth Putnam's dead sisters. And that is all. And mark this. Let either of you breath 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; And you know I can do it.

I saw Indians smash my dear parents' heads on the pillow next to mine, and I can make you wish you had never seen the sun go down!" (Literature Book- pg. 1097) Not to mention her affair with John Proctor and how she was constantly trying to invoke him into doing sexual things with her. She is the one who first led the girls to Tituba for dancing in the woods and conjuring spirits. Plus, she robs her uncle, Reverend Parris. Her motivation is lust.

There is also Thomas Putnam who is the eldest son of the richest man in the village. He is very vindictive, or out to get revenge on anyone who crosses him. He grimly provoked his daughter to cry witchery on George Jacobs for reward of land in return of doing so. That shows what an un-honest man he is. His motivation is greed. In conclusion, no matter how much authority you possess there is no promise you " re a wonderful, good, caring person.

If it is thought about, you do not have to be at a high status to be a good individual. While we must remember, authority offers no guarantee of goodness.