What are some good examples of abuse of authority in either 1984 or The Crucible. I have to write a comparison essay on both.

Both texts, 1984 and The Crucible, cite a dystopia that places fear above freedom in order to divide society and punish heretics.

In the theocracy of Salem, there is no separation of church and state, so Rev. Parris can abuse his position to acquire land and settle land disputes.  He uses fear of the devil as an unchallengeable means of attaining authority and punishing those who question him.  He ferrets out those who deny his authority (Proctor) and exiles and punishes them for unrelated crimes.

Similarly, O'Brien (Big Brother) uses nationalism as religious fervor to control the masses.  Like Parris, O'Brien is a double-agent: he appears to serve the rebellion, but he really serves the state.  O'Brien uses torture in the Ministry of Love (a kind of anti-church) to carry out his dirty work.

In the end, both heroes are destroyed by the state, although Proctor retains some dignity and hope for the future.