In Salem, the system of government is theocracy. In a theocracy, the Church makes and enforces the laws that were created under divine direction. In such a case, Church leaders occupy a high position in society. In Arthur Miller's The Crucible, it is this government that helps move the action in the play forward. The problem that exists within theocracy is that it is biased and fails when it comes to checks and balances. This means that the government is based on religious ideologies, so if someone disobeyed the Church, they were disobeying the law and facing severe punishment due to the overlap between Church and State. Girls dancing in the woods are a good example of this. Because dancing is against their religion, the law also punishes girls. And by disobeying their religion in this way, there is enough evidence that they are dealing with witches. Another example is that of supervisors. Although Elizabeth is deeply devoted to religion, John does not always attend church on Sundays, has not had his third child baptized, and cannot remember the Ten Commandments. As a result, accusations of witchcraft against the Proctor family are inevitable. Reverend Hale wants to prevent this and says to the overseers: “May God keep you both; that the third child be baptized quickly and that you go to Sabbath prayer every Sunday; and keep a solemn and quiet way among you” (70). If the supervisors conceal their faults in their religious duties, no accusation will be brought against them. Because Church and State are so closely intertwined in Salem, weakening in the Church means weakening with the law.7. In Arthur Miller's The Crucible, the plot is filled with many grudges between the characters. It is these enmities that cause... middle of paper ...... Danforth as if she has an omniscient power handed to her by God. Witch trials provide previously powerless people with an abundance of power that is unfortunately used to inflict harm. Witch trials allow characters, other than the girls, to gain the power to kill people by calling them witches, thus allowing themselves to win land disputes. much in his favor. For example, in the ongoing altercation between Mr. Putnam, Proctor, and Giles Corey, one of them might gain by accusing the others of witchcraft to ultimately settle the land disputes in his favor. Trials provide a perfect backdrop for gaining power for those who have never encountered power before the trials. This unfortunate reserve of power falls into the wrong hands following the witch trials. And when power and jealousy mix, unfortunately, those with power use it in a myriad of hurtful ways..