John Proctor's chief complaint against Parris's sermons is that they create fear and superstition among the people of Salem, which allows Parris to gain control over them. Proctor argues that Parris's use of fear and superstition is a form of spiritual abuse and that it is harmful to the community. He also believes that Parris is using his position of authority to enrich himself and that he is not a true servant of God.
Supporting Evidence from the Text
- Proctor accuses Parris of using his sermons to create fear and superstition:
- "You prey upon the ignorance of the people! you foster it and fan it. You make them see devils where there are none!"
- "You clap your hand and cry, 'God be praised!' and they jump from their seats and cry the same. And who is it who stamps God's name on the meanest and the weakest and the most loathsome in this town?… You, sir!"
- Proctor believes that Parris is spiritually abusive:
- "You have made this town a place where no one can walk in peace, where every man trembles before the next, where every good man is turned out of house and home because of the lies and the dirty tricks that you produce!"
- "You are God's minister, and you are a fraud!"
- Proctor believes that Parris is using his position of authority to enrich himself:
- "You have taken money for keeping me out of church, and you have taken money from others for the same reason. You are as greedy for land as you are for power."
- Proctor believes that Parris is not a true servant of God:
- "You are not just, and you are not merciful. You are a cold, sniveling coward. You are nothing but a common hypocrite!"