The year is 1692 and Abigail Williams 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 overturned. In Arthur Miller's drama The Crucible, Miller illustrates the dangers of Puritan theocracy: where personal liberties are oppressed, cruel and unusual punishments are implemented, and where leaders 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” meaning God, and the word “crazia” meaning law (Dictionary.com). A theocratic government is one “in which a God, or a god, is recognized as the supreme civil sovereign and in which religious authorities govern the state as representatives of God, or a god” (World Book Dictionary). In Salem, the Reverend ruled and led the citizens under the representation of God, and in Miller's novel The Crucible, the Reverend Parris governs the community, acting as God's conduit to the citizens of Salem Village. Individuality in Puritan society was very dangerous because thinking differently threatens the entire basis of the theocratic system. To suppress the community's individuality, citizens were granted minimal personal freedoms. Human rights and fundamental freedoms such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom to think freely, the right to due process, and the right to spend one's time freely have not been afforded to the people of Salem. These freedoms were taken away to keep them on the path of the “straight and narrow” and to suppress any individualistic tendencies. Free speech is a luxury...... middle of paper ......ap me for contempt of hearing. DANFORTH. Oh, he's a real lawyer! Do you want me to state this court here in full session? Or will you give me a good answer? COREY. I can't say any names, sir, I can't... DANFORTH. You're a silly old man. Mr. Cheever starts 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 erase theocratic society, individuality and freedom, thought was oppressed. In Arthur Miller's novel The Crucible, Miller illustrates the dangers of Puritan theocracy: where personal liberties are oppressed, cruel and unusual punishments are implemented, and where leaders can manipulate holy books and laws to rule with unlimited power in the name of the divine..