Final answer:
In Act 2 of The Crucible, Reverend Parris is shown to be greedy and not practicing Puritanism through his actions and behavior.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Act 2 of The Crucible, Reverend Parris is depicted as being greedy and not practicing Puritanism through various pieces of evidence.
- Firstly, Parris is more concerned with his reputation and wealth than with the spiritual needs of his congregation. For example, he argues with John Proctor and others about his salary and demands ownership of the church's golden candlesticks.
- Secondly, Parris shows a lack of compassion and understanding towards others, which contradicts the principles of Puritanism. He is quick to blame others for his own problems and is willing to sacrifice lives to protect his reputation.
- Lastly, Parris acts in a self-serving manner by promoting the witch trials for personal gain. He uses the trials as a means to gain power and control over the community, rather than seeking justice or adhering to Puritan values.
Overall, these examples demonstrate how Parris' greed and selfishness undermine his adherence to Puritanism in Act 2 of the play.