Merriam-Webster dictionary defines hysteria as a “behavior exhibiting overwhelming or unmanageable fear or emotional excess,” such as that of the citizens of Salem during the Witch Trials in 1692. As one of the first groups to settle here, Puritans feared the unknown like the forest, and banded together for protection. With little room for individuality, grudges and other personal disputes built up with no outlet. Fueled by destructive lies and wrongful accusations of others, hysteria evolves into a dangerous problem in Arthur Miller’s The Crucible. It is not difficult to see how people like Abigail, in a community with such strict religious laws, find it easier to avoid the truth rather than accept the blame.
Personal gain often formed …show more content…
One calls up witnesses to prove his innocence. But witchcraft is ipso facto, on its face and by its nature, an invisible crime...Now we cannot hope the witch will accuse herself; granted? Therefore, we must rely upon her victims - and they do testify, the children certainly do testify. (100)
When the only existing proof is the testimony of a single person who strongly believes their own claim, one cannot help but believe them as well. Hysteria also spread during the time, causing fear and dispelling any shred of reasoning people possessed. Hence, when the girls testify, the court believes them. Court authorities also believe the girls’ accusations simply because of their young age and Puritan ideologies. According to their religion,
“‘Do you know, Mr. Proctor, that the entire contention of the state in these trials is that the voice of Heaven is speaking through the children?’” (88). According to their religion, lying is a sin, as well as a crime. Because of their young age, the judges do not believe the girls to be capable of committing such a crime, and see them only as innocent children. The court believes it does the work of God, and that he uses the girls as a vessel in order to combat the sin in their
Personal gain often formed …show more content…
One calls up witnesses to prove his innocence. But witchcraft is ipso facto, on its face and by its nature, an invisible crime...Now we cannot hope the witch will accuse herself; granted? Therefore, we must rely upon her victims - and they do testify, the children certainly do testify. (100)
When the only existing proof is the testimony of a single person who strongly believes their own claim, one cannot help but believe them as well. Hysteria also spread during the time, causing fear and dispelling any shred of reasoning people possessed. Hence, when the girls testify, the court believes them. Court authorities also believe the girls’ accusations simply because of their young age and Puritan ideologies. According to their religion,
“‘Do you know, Mr. Proctor, that the entire contention of the state in these trials is that the voice of Heaven is speaking through the children?’” (88). According to their religion, lying is a sin, as well as a crime. Because of their young age, the judges do not believe the girls to be capable of committing such a crime, and see them only as innocent children. The court believes it does the work of God, and that he uses the girls as a vessel in order to combat the sin in their