Examples Of Hysteria In The Crucible

To everyone Parris was a good man, he was a Pastor. In Act I he speaks to his niece Abigail and says to her, “Abigail, I have fought here three long years to bend these stiff-necked people to me, and now, just now when some good respect is rising for me in the parish, you compromise my very character. I have given you a home, child. I have put clothes upon your back—now give me an upright answer. Your name in the town—it is entirely white, is it not? (Parris 63)” Parris can’t believe what he is hearing in the town that Abigail was out in the woods dancing and trying to conjure spirits. He has been keeping his name clean for many years and now Abigail might mess that up so he tries to tell Abigail that she needs to stop. In Act III Parris tries to accuse Proctor of being un-Christian because he dislikes Proctor. He states, “Such a Christian that will not come to church but once in a month (Parris 116).” Proctor is trying to get the attention off of his niece so that his good name will not be soiled by her wrongdoing. He would rather accuse Proctor of being un-Christian than see his good name be destroyed. In Act IV Proctor is about to sign a paper that states that he was the one who was dealing with the devil, even though he wasn’t just so he could save his wife. Parris is yelling at Danforth, “I will strike the village that Proctor confess. Let him sign it. Let him sign it (Parris

Lastly, when he knows he cannot postpone the hangings, he tries to persuade Proctor and the others to lie so that they can live. Hale goes to Elizabeth and pleads with her to tell her husband to lie; this is Hale’s final desperation. He says to Elizabeth, “You know do you not, that

Arthur Miller's verifiable play, The Crucible, depicts the recorded occasions of the Salem witch trials through a swarm of life-changing characters. Trepidation drives these Puritans to uncover their actual feelings while confronting their informers in the predisposition courts before coldblooded judges. While in the long run all the individuals of Salem get subject to this frenzy, two ladies emerge above the rest. Retribution and disgrace live in the heart of the young adulteress, Abigail Williams, while truth and exemplary nature dwell in the soul of Elizabeth Proctor, John Proctor's dedicated wife. Although they both elevate the strain and tension of the play, Abigail William's and Elizabeth Proctor's disparities lead to turmoil because

“Hale: Quail not before God’s judgment in this, for it may well be God damns a liar less than he that throws away for pride” (206). Reverend Hale’s eye-opening words make Elizabeth realize that John Proctor should do the right thing for God, even if that includes lying. This quote relates to the Salem witch trials because during this time, the court was getting involved with the town, so everybody had to constantly tell the truth. Overall, the play gives a feeling of the Salem witch trials by using facts and events relevant to the time period. On a similar topic, Arthur Miller feels that everybody is vindictive, manipulating, and betraying each other; therefore, Miller uses his troublesome experience to commemorate the demeaning investigations of witches. Miller’s high disapproval of the American government, especially how the court handles situations, is greatly represented in his play. The characters change throughout the story, and they start to realize that it is not all about what the government wants for their life. They soon enough start thinking and speaking for themselves which leads to big decisions and disapproval from the American government. In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, he artistically manipulates the authentic facts of the Salem witch trials’ victim John Proctor to fiction in order to similarly represent his interrogation during the Red Scare while also putting a spin on the trials through his style, characterization and tone.

Hysteria is the vital aspect in the act “The Crucible” about witchcraft which spreads throughout the small town called Salem and involved having tragic events without any facts. Abigail Williams is a major character in the play “The Crucible” Arthur Miller, but she is portrayed as an great antagonist who drives the wheel in the play. She has an unnatural power to manipulate others and gain control over them. Abigail states "I want to open myself! . . . I want the light of God, I want the sweet love of Jesus! I danced for the Devil; I saw him, I wrote in his book; I go back to Jesus; I kiss His hand. I saw Sarah Good with the Devil! I saw Goody Osburn with the Devil! I saw Bridget Bishop with the Devil! (Miller 48). While confessing to witchcraft gets Tituba positive attention, and makes her a believable to accuse others, along with Betty she uses same technique to develop trust toward others. A major theme of the play is blame, revenge, and mistaken innocence. Abigail shifts the focus away from herself by accusing others of witchcraft. This furious act of selfishness soon becomes Abigail drive of power.

During the late 1940’s and the early 1950’s, America acted out of fear instead of their head. Author Miller motivated to write The Crucible due to his being alive during the late 1950’s when McCarthyism was prevalent in the U.S. He was trying to make the comparison of the two-time periods. Author Miller wrote The Crucible to point out the hysteria caused by the Red Scare by drawing comparisons with fear fueling hysteria, the ignoring of evidence, and types of people who were falsely accused.

The devastating Salem witch trials occurred between February 1692 and May 1693. By the end of the trials many people were accused, nineteen were executed and several more died in prison. The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, captures the hysteria that developed during the Salem witch trials. Crucible character, Abigail Williams, represents the repressed desires that many of the Puritans possess. Abigail’s readiness to abandon Puritan social restrictions sets her apart from the other characters, and eventually leads to her downfall. Abigail Williams uses manipulation and cruelty to create an atmosphere of terror and intimidation in her town. In Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible, Abigail Williams leads the hysteria in Salem by taking extreme measures to succeed in attaining John Proctor's love.

In 1692, the Puritan village of Salem was against the practice of witchcraft and they were divided on their opinions amidst the majority who believe the accusations were true and the minority who though they were false. Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible shows how two of the characters, Reverend Hale and Abigail Williams, reflect these groups. Previously, Reverend Hale sided with the majority until he realized the system of the theocracy was corrupt and took the side of the minority. Abigail Williams denied the accusations that were made against her thus changing her views about witchcraft so she could save herself and accuse others for her own benefit. Reverend Hale and Abigail’s beliefs and ideals change as the witch trials affect themselves and other people, the guilt or innocence of others, and the theocracy.

Proctor argues with Danforth about his confession of being a witch, and yells, "I lie and sign myself to lies... I am not worth the dust on the feet of them hang!" (143). Proctor's point here is that if he confesses to lying, he is less of a man than those who were hung before him. Proctor knows if he lies and sign the paper, his reputation will be ruined. Reverend Hale attempts to make Elizabeth agree with him that "life is. God's most precious gift" (132), but Elizabeth ignores Ha's message. Elizabeth could have saved her husband from the decision he is making, but she then realizes, "[Proctor] has his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him!" (145). Elizabeth supports Proctor's decision by letting him decide what he will do with his

In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, many rumors of witchcraft have been spreading after Betty Proctor became sick. This, in turn, leads her father, Reverend Parris, to call Reverend Hale into the town to prove that these rumors are false, but in turn, he does the opposite. Because of this, many innocent people in Salem, in 1692, are convicted and hung for being witches. Hale’s deceitful knowledge of witchcraft drives him to falsely confirm that good citizens have committed witchcraft which leads to the execution of many innocent citizens.

John Proctor is one main character that does not like Parris at any time in the book. He believes Parris is extremely selfish and greedy. Proctor was talking to Hale about the church when the thought of Parris came up, and proctor saying,” But Parris came, and for twenty week he preach nothin' but golden candlesticks until he had them. I labor the earth from dawn of day to blink of night, and I tell you true, when I look to heaven and see my money glaring at his elbows—it hurt my prayer, sir, it hurt my prayer.

In The Crucible, Arthur Miller uses the characterization of Abigail Williams, Thomas Putnam, and Governor Danforth, to show how people protect themselves during times of hysteria, which helps to continue the chaos that broke throughout Salem. Miller shows the importance of maintaining values and principles in order help end the chaos. Miller connects The Crucible with the events of the witch hunts from the 1690s where citizens were accused of using witchcraft, and the McCarthy trials of the 1950s. It leads to the significance of hysteria of manipulation, power, and personal gains in which leads to a downfall in the society in Salem.

In this play, a girl named Abigail accuses people of witchcraft so she does not get punished for dancing in the woods. Before the play began, it is referenced that she had an affair with John Proctor, the man of the family she previously worked for. Because of Abigail’s accusations, people are jailed and hanged. She even turns against her friends to save herself. Once she hears of John Proctor being sentenced to hang, she realizes she is in too deep and leaves Salem. Many people, such as Proctor, did not confess to save their lives because they wanted to stay truthful and devoted to their faith. The Crucible shows a time when the power of fear and mass hysteria are dominate in the people's everyday life. These are not as common or intense as during the Salem Witch Trials, but are still very present today. One recent example of mass hysteria took place in India, known as the Muhnochwa. The Muhnochwa was referred to as “India’s face scratching alien”. There were reports of a flying object spotted that would come down and scratch the faces of people who were sleeping. This caused people to become genuinely distressed and paranoid. Even though it may not seem that common, the power of fear and mass hysteria are still present in today’s

Throughout The Crucible, John Proctor showed immense courage when he stuck to his beliefs. In Act 3, John Proctor confesses to the court his affair with Abigail Williams because he doesn’t want his wife being accused of witchcraft. He further explains Abigail’s plan to kill his wife, Elizabeth Proctor, and dance with him on her grave. (Miller 873). When Proctor calls Abigail a whore, he gives the court an opportunity to end the trials. Additionally, John faces the ultimate test when he has to sign the document that would keep him alive. Proctor is unable to lie, so he shouts, “ Because it is my name!..Because I lie and sign myself to lies” (Miller 886). His action of ripping up the document further represents Proctor’s integrity and courage. Proctor knows he will never forgive himself if he agrees to confess. He chooses to be hanged over living the remaining of his life on a lie. Proctor refuses to name others and tears up the document. Overall in The Crucible, John Proctor is a firm believer in the fact that one’s name is the only thing that stays after death.

Imagine the year is 1692. In a small Massachusetts town a culture of highly religious folk live in peace. Salem. It´s late January and the reverendś young niece Abigail and only daughter begin to act strangely. Rumors of witchcraft fly through town and fear runs rampant.In around a year 200 people are unjustifiably accused and 20 sentenced to capital punishment. Who is next? The strange widow down the road? The Coreys? In a time of obscured justice, line were crossed and innocent lives lost. In his breakthrough play, The Crucible, Arthur Miller spins a tale not far from the truth.Letting his readers explore a gruesome tale of blind hatred. In Arthur Miller's The Crucible, Abigail Williams embodies the wrongdoings of the Salem Witch Trials.