The innocent are hung, the truth disregarded, and a group of children hold absolute power. This was the state of Salem, Massachusetts from the spring through the fall of the year 1892. During this time, a witch hunt was happening in Salem, led by the niece of the Reverend of the village, Abigail Williams and her band of friends. Early in the play, Betty who is the Reverend’s daughter is ill due to some type of unnatural cause. She is found to be struck down the spirits of witches, spurring the hunt of said witches. None of the girls making the accusations of witchcraft ever saw any witches, but rather accused whomever they felt was not on their side. In The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, the characters’ irrational behavior furthers the play’s
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Susanna Walcott is instructed by Reverend Parris, who does not want to spread pointless panic, to “Go directly home and speak nothing of unnatural causes” in reference to Betty’s ailment (1038). Then, Abigail says that Tituba “made [her] do it! ... She makes [her] drink blood!” (1057). Following this declaration, Parris abandons his previous notion to not spread unneeded hysteria, and takes a more nonsensical approach. Parris decides to endorse what Abigail says as the truth. After seeing their leader change from being a skeptic that witches were even in Salem, to ardently supporting the girls’ claims of witchcraft, the people of Salem started to believe that witches had invaded in the village. Also, Reverend Hale informs others in Salem that “the powers of dark are gathered in a monstrous attack upon this village. There is too much evidence to deny it” (1072). Hale’s message is that the witch crisis in Salem is certain, leading to a lot of dramatic action as his role progresses as the man whom the witches confess to. This hysterical element to the play leads the audience to be anxious due to the unfathomable consequences for these behaviors. In summary, in Salem, Massachusetts the main spiritual leaders are prime examples of ways that the irrational behavior of following children’s words leads to the promotion of
Susanna Walcott is instructed by Reverend Parris, who does not want to spread pointless panic, to “Go directly home and speak nothing of unnatural causes” in reference to Betty’s ailment (1038). Then, Abigail says that Tituba “made [her] do it! ... She makes [her] drink blood!” (1057). Following this declaration, Parris abandons his previous notion to not spread unneeded hysteria, and takes a more nonsensical approach. Parris decides to endorse what Abigail says as the truth. After seeing their leader change from being a skeptic that witches were even in Salem, to ardently supporting the girls’ claims of witchcraft, the people of Salem started to believe that witches had invaded in the village. Also, Reverend Hale informs others in Salem that “the powers of dark are gathered in a monstrous attack upon this village. There is too much evidence to deny it” (1072). Hale’s message is that the witch crisis in Salem is certain, leading to a lot of dramatic action as his role progresses as the man whom the witches confess to. This hysterical element to the play leads the audience to be anxious due to the unfathomable consequences for these behaviors. In summary, in Salem, Massachusetts the main spiritual leaders are prime examples of ways that the irrational behavior of following children’s words leads to the promotion of