Reverend Parris is quite the conceded character. He wants to have a good reputation in the town, since the townspeople don't trust him just yet. Since he wants to make a good impression, he makes his family members live a strict household. He especially gets nervous when he hears of his niece and his daughter dancing in the woods around a cauldron with the household slave. When he hears of this, all he can think of is how to cover this up so his reputation isn't soiled.