Despite his family being involved, Parris chose to focus only on himself. With his household portrayed as the root of the witchcraft in Salem, Parris has deep ties to the whole situation; especially considering the fact that his daughter and niece are both involved with the trials. Parris' daughter and niece were the first two afflicted individuals in Salem, and his niece became one of the largest accusers in the trials. Parris is depicted as a power hungry widower who fails to fulfill the parental role and shows no interest in his children or their wellbeing (Miller 3). In reality, however, Parris' wife was alive and well until four years after the trials ended, and she went through the same turmoil as her husband. .
Parris discovers his slave, Tituba, out in the forest with his daughter and niece participating in what he perceives as witchcraft. Instead of following the community laws regarding these things and reporting the incident, Parris chooses to try to cover up the situation. Though he is initially starkly opposed to witchcraft, Parris' selfish nature emerges and he realizes that he can actually use it as a power play against his opponents and enemies. Parris is well aware that his niece, Abigail, is lying about her experience with witchcraft while accusing people, but helps to spread the information because it is in his own self interest. Parris views any defense brought up in court against the witchcraft charges as a personal attack, and acts out against those who deny the claims.
Another significant difference between "The Crucible" and the actual Salem Witch Trials is the explanation of the relationship between Abigail Williams, Parris' niece, and local farmer John Proctor. In the play, Williams and Proctor's relationship is portrayed as a highly sexual, almost pedophilic situation due to the extremely exaggerated age difference depicted in the play. Interestingly, despite the pedophilic connotations present in the play, Williams is depicted as the one pursuing the relationship.
