Initially, Parris tries to address the situation through prayer and religious rituals, believing that the cause of the girls' behavior may be spiritual or demonic. He calls for a prayer meeting at his home, during which he attempts to exorcise the evil spirits from Betty and the other girls. However, this effort fails to resolve the crisis.
As the accusations begin to spread and more people are implicated, Parris realizes that the situation is escalating beyond his control. He reluctantly seeks help from outside sources, such as Reverend John Hale, a renowned expert on witchcraft, in the hopes of finding a solution to the crisis.
Throughout the play, Parris is portrayed as a complex character who is torn between his desire to maintain moral order in the community and his fear of losing his position and power as the reverend. His reactions to the crisis evolve as the plot progresses, and his character arc demonstrates a shift from naive belief in spiritual explanations to a deepening understanding of the human motivations behind the accusations.