Role of Fear in Salem Witch Trials Essay

Witch Hysteria From June 10 through September 22, 1692, Salem, Massachusetts experienced a witch hysteria. Over the 15 week period, 19 men and women were hanged for witchcraft, and more than 100 accused people were jailed. Although some believed the cause for hysteria was a factor such as ergot poisoning, the cause was actually class division. Foremost, class division played major a role in the Salem area. The sharpest distinction was between the port’s residents living in the Salem Town area…

problems they faced and different point of views. The Crucible tells the story of events that happens in the 1600s, however, they very similar to those events in our present today. The crucible, written by Arthur Miller tells the story of the Salem witch trials that start off with a group of girls that blame others for the crime of practicing witchcraft to cover themselves. As a result this cost many people in the small town lost their lives and other lost their reputation in the pious town.…

hysteria around the eruption of the witchcraft trials that took place in Salem in 1692. Salem was a peaceful ordinary town until it was destroyed by the chaos resulted from the wrongful allegations of Salem citizens for witchcraft. The crucible demonstrates how individuals driven by their motivations can spread hysteria with the rest of the society to release their repressed resentments. Miller cleverly created a climate of hysteria to show how paranoia and fear that dominant his characters can…

There are many characters in The Crucible by Arthur Miller that make the entire plot fall into place like magic. Abigail Williams, the niece of Reverend Parris, started rumors, an army of girls, and made accusations that turned the village of Salem upside-down. Abigail was a 17 year-old orphan whom was described as “strikingly beautiful” but outspoken. Several characters in The Crucible are very dynamic, none like Abigail Williams who changes between each act of the play; she makes sinless hands…

In the play, The Crucible, there are many different elements to the plot that make the excerpt unique. Arthur Miller uses the 1692 Salem Witchcraft Trials to show how manipulative people can be by only using their words. He demonstrates elements like mass hysteria, revenge, and superstition to express how easily people can hurt and turn on each other without physical harm. MASS HYSTERIA One of Arthur Miller’s key elements in The Crucible is mass hysteria. By definition, mass hysteria is a…

Crucible to show the fear of communism created by the 1950 Red Scare.…

as McCarthyism, and the Salem Witch Trials of 1692-1693. Similar to how Joseph McCarthy, a U.S. Senator, was believed when he said that Communists had infiltrated his nation’s government because of his high-ranking position, numerous character’s claims in Miller’s novel are believed because of their reputation. For instance, young Abigail Williams is trusted time and time again, even though she is actually wrongly convicting nearly 20 innocent people, because of her role in society.…

other end as stronger and more prepared individuals. The play is a slightly altered and dramatized story of the Salem Witch Trials hysteria in a Puritan village of Salem in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The drama has plenty of static and dynamic characters. One example is Reverend John Hale, who survives his crucible. He is a figure of great significance in both the Salem Witch Trials and the play itself. He is particularly interesting in that he is a protagonist that changes more than any other…

Mayhem Mass hysteria is a phenomenon caused by fear. History has shown us mass hysteria in two forms, and fears of evil or the devil himself. These people whom lived in fear were lead by a persuasive leader, whom they follow because they are convinced of the same threat. Their leader is also authoritative because of his role in power. This power is considered biased because this power comes from within a society. Mass hysteria is started by institutions in society with power, such as armies,…

Sinners must be condemned to the blazing depths of Hell for eternity, while those that are virtuous shall ascend to the Heavens. During the events of the Salem Witch Trials in Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible, numerous of the townsfolk are accused of witchcraft and are punished for crimes they did not commit. Furthermore, the trials are roused and founded by those that have a vindication towards people they dislike or see as troublesome, whether they are sinful or innocent. Ultimately, this…