In your opinion, what is the main theme in the play, 'The Crucible'?

In my opinion, the main theme of the play, “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller is reputation. This theme can be depicted through two characters who are Abigail Williams and Reverend Parris through their actions. Firstly this can be first seen when Revered Paris said, “I have fought for three long years to bend these stiff-necked people to me, and now, just now when some good respect is rising for me in the parish, you compromise my very character. '' This quote shows how Reverend Parris views his position in the town and the degree of authority that accompanies it. It also shows how he is less focused on spreading the word of God than exploiting his position as a religious authority so he can gain greater power in the community. Secondly, Abigail Williams exemplifies the theme reputation. When she said, My name is good in the village! I will not have it said my name is soiled! Goody Proctor is a gossiping liar. ” In this quote, it shows how Abigail is shifting the attention of her own reputation by trashing Goody Proctor's reputation and convincing the people of how awful of a person Goody Proctor is. In conclusion, reputation plays a huge role in the play and to the characters because it’s inextricably linked to respect and power in a highly interdependent community.