It's 1692 and Abigail Williams has just cried witch. According to harsh Puritan values, anyone accused and found guilty of witchcraft must be publicly hanged in the town square. The Puritan theocracy, leaving no room for adversity or opposition, was turned upside down. In Arthur Miller's drama The Crucible, Miller illustrates the dangers of Puritan theocracy: where individual freedoms are oppressed, cruel and unusual punishments are implemented, and where rulers can manipulate holy books and laws to rule with unlimited power in the name of the divine. .The word theocracy comes from the Greek word “theos” which means God, and the word “cracy” which means law (Dictionary.com). A theocratic government is one "in which a God, or god, is recognized as the supreme civil ruler and in which religious authorities govern the state as representatives of God, or a god" (World Book Dictionary ). In Salem, the Reverend governed and guided the citizens under the representation of God, and in Miller's novel The Crucible, Reverend Parris leads the community, acting as God's channel for the citizens of Salem Village. Individuality in Puritan society was very dangerous because thinking differently threatened the entire basis of the theocratic system. In order to remove individuality from the community, citizens were granted minimal personal freedoms. Fundamental human rights and freedoms such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of free thought, right to due process and right to freely spend one's time have not been afforded to the people of Salem . These freedoms were suppressed in order to keep them on the path of “straight and narrow” and to suppress any individualistic tendencies. Freedom of expression is a luxury...... middle of paper ......ap me for contempt of court .DANFORTH. Oh, he's a real lawyer! Do you want me to declare this court in plenary session here? — or will you give me a good answer? COREY. I can't give a name, sir, I can't... DANFORTH. You are a stupid old man. Mr. Cheever begins the record. The court is now in session. I ask you, Mr. Corey... Danforth, using his powers for evil rather than good, manipulates the rules of the court so that he can condemn more people to witchcraft (Act III). Threatening to wipe out theocratic society, individuality and freedom. thought was oppressed. In Arthur Miller's novel The Crucible, Miller illustrates the dangers of Puritan theocracy: where individual freedoms are oppressed, cruel and unusual punishments are implemented, and where rulers can manipulate holy books and laws to rule with unlimited power in the name of the divine..