Final answer:
The dagger Parris finds symbolizes the pervasive fear and hysteria surrounding witchcraft during the Salem witch trials, representing violence and persecution, and reflecting the Puritans' belief in the devil's influence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The dagger that Parris finds symbolizes the fear and hysteria associated with witchcraft in Salem. During the 17th-century witch trials in Salem, Massachusetts, anything associated with the occult or witchcraft, like the dagger, was taken as evidence of the devil's work in society. In tragedies, a dagger often serves as a strong metaphor for betrayal, murder, or a significant turning point, and in the context of Salem, it likely represents the violence and persecution of the witch trials. The Puritans' belief system, which held that the devil could be at work in society, was central to the witch trials. This fear was further fueled by figures like Cotton Mather, who wrote extensively on witchcraft and strongly influenced the Puritan perspective.