Parris has sent for Reverend Hale from Beverly to investigate the possibility of witchcraft in Salem. He is deeply concerned about the recent events in the town, including the strange behavior of his daughter Betty and the rumors of witchcraft that have begun to spread. Parris, being a man of God, hopes that Hale’s expertise in witch trials will lend some legitimacy to their situation and help quell the mounting fear among the townspeople. He believes that bringing in Hale, who is considered an authority on the matter, will provide a sense of assurance and perhaps even help to protect his own reputation as the town’s minister. Parris’s motivations are not only rooted in concern for his daughter and the community but also in his own self-interest, as he wants to maintain his status and authority in the face of growing unrest.
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