Examples Of Hysteria In The Crucible

“Whatever hysteria exists is inflamed by mystery, suspicion and secrecy. Hard and exact facts will cool it.” -Elia Kazan. Elia Kazan, a famous actor and director in the 1950’s, was accused of being a communist during The Red Scare.

Mass hysteria can strike anywhere, anytime. Mass hysteria is an illusion or condition that affects a group of people, and is caused by anxiety, fear or stress. It can sometimes put people at risk because in most cases, it makes people sick. Mass hysteria has a negative impact on people like it did on the people of Salem who were killed and locked away. The Crucible was one of many examples of how fear can cause mass hysteria and unfortunately there are many more. Fear causes mass hysteria and has many cases that can prove that this is true.

In today's society there are many cases of mass hysteria just like long ago. In the book John Proctor says a quote that hits big time for mass hysteria, he says “God is dead” while laughing insanely, and if that does not cause mass hysteria then nothing does.

The theme that reoccurred consistently throughout Act 2 was “Hysteria and Religion.” The hysteria spread throughout the Puritan society like a wildfire. Puritans were cautious and quick to judge based off of circumstantial evidence, nevertheless, dozens of people were convicted of crimes that they may or may not have committed. Religion was the center of all life at the time. The average individual knew the Bible inside and out. While (most) individuals attended church services regularly, no one could be exempt from persecution. A reputation could change with one misstep, “remember, until an hour before the Devil fell, God thought him beautiful in Heaven” (Miller 71).

What is hysteria? By definition, hysteria is a state of intense agitation, anxiety, or excitement, especially as manifested by large groups or segments of society. In a broader sense however, hysteria is a killer, the delitescent devil. More specifically, hysteria was the main cause of nineteen deaths in the Salem Witch Trials of 1692, and countless ruined reputations on account of Joe McCarthy. Hysteria does not just appear out of nowhere though. There are driving forces such as revenge and abuse of power that bring about the irrational fear that can take over society. These are the issues expressed in Arthur Miller's The Crucible.

Arthur Miller is a renowned actor from the early days of Hollywood. In the late 1950’s he was persecuted for his political beliefs. He leaned left on the political scale, this may not seem like a major issue, but at the time anything left of centralist was considered communism. Why you may ask? Well, that is because of a man named Joseph McCarthy.

During the Salem Witch Trials of 1962, nearly 20 people were sentenced to death, upon being accused as “hosts” of the devil and his evil ways of life. In the novel, The Crucible by Arthur Miller he depicts the mass hysteria of the Salem Witch Trials. The Witch Trials were provoked by the strict religious beliefs of the Puritan community, in which the people believed that the devil was constantly trying to pervade their religious communities and their Christian beliefs. Within the Crucible, Abigail's accusations and other acts of self-preservation can be ascribed to remnants of her traumatizing past (with the brutality of her parents murder), her involvement in an adulterous relationship with John Proctor, and her desperation for survival

The total hysteria in Salem, Massachusetts that quickly spread out of control in a rush of lies, witch accusations and death is known as The Salem Witch Trials. People in the 1600’s strongly believed in the existence of witchcraft, so much so that it led to mass hangings. The events are famous because of books and plays, like The Crucible, that are written about them. These books have led to more and more people becoming interested in the Trials More research is being done on why they happened and what kept them going. There have been many theories as to what actually afflicted the girls. People know from studying the history that religious turmoil and greed helped fuel the flame. The answer to what started the spark was actually a type of

To accuse one person of the horrible witch trails in The Crucible would be difficult as there is no argument on whether or not the whole town played one role or another in the accusations and or hangings of those innocent people. Mass hysteria radiated throughout the town. Without the influence of a certain few, the events, the story which serves as a model towards hysterias of all types, would have turned out much differently. Those certain characters that had that influence over these dark events were Betty Parris, the young reverend’s daughter, Reverend Parris who was supposed to serve as a model figure towards the town, as one of God’s chosen, and Abigail Williams the one who brought true Hell fire to Salem, Massachusetts. Betty Parris, Revend Parris’ only child, is suppose to serve as a model child for all those

Have you ever seen how people act on Black Friday in the United States right after Thanksgiving? Several people stomping on top of each other, battling and screaming just because an electronic is on sale. We can define this act of behavior with hysteria, which has the definition of extreme passionate reactions which overwhelm reason and sense, most especially in gatherings with other people. History incorporates a few terrible periods in which hysteria ruled. The Salem Witch Trials are a case of this, and Arthur Miller's play The Crucible gives an astounding representation of the part hysteria played in making the uproar of allegations, terror, and murder which contained the witch trials. Hysteria hinders a community because of human nature, jealously and injustice.

Mass hysteria is a psychological behavior characterized by the outburst of emotions including, anxiety, fears or beliefs, which typically affects groups of people. The outcome of this behavior rarely leaves a positive effect on society thus causes a disastrous effect. As witnessed in Arthur Miller’s, The Crucible, mass hysteria forced the people of Salem to turn against each other and make false accusations. These behaviors are very common as shown throughout other historical events. The Crucible, The Dancing Plague of 1518, and The Tanganyika Laughter Epidemic all exploit mass hysteria and prove catastrophic outcomes.

American playwright Arthur Miller once said “Controlled hysteria is what's required. To exist constantly in a state of controlled hysteria. It's agony. But everyone has agony. The difference is that I try to take my agony home and teach it to sing.” Hysteria can thrive only because people benefit from it. It suspends the rules of daily life and allows the acting out of every dark desire and hateful urge under the cover of righteousness.

First, Humans cease to surprise their own species. Arthur Miller seemed to think so as well, so much so in fact that he decided to write The Crucible. It is easily seen that he did not write this fictional Salem story just to make a money but to send the world a message, something bigger then the event that it is based on. The Salem Witch Trials were not the first and last witch hunt humanity has had since the earth came to be. There is something, however, that seems to have been hiding in that fact, given that no one has appeared to have not written about it. It gives the idea that mass hysteria and genocide in, e.g. The Crucible, plays in a key role in explaining how humanity’s intellectual advantage does not necessarily make it more advanced. To be frank, humanity is unconsciously making decisions to help slow the process of true human progression. Humanity may not see it, but that does not mean that it is not possible.

The part of human nature that causes mass hysteria is a dramatic event happening and then people have similar effects of hysteria the original hysteria is caused by people fearing change or the unusual. It’s a psychological fear of threats. When in the court being accused of lying Abigail accuses other people of witchcraft to get herself out of trouble, “Oh,Mary

In 1692 the people of Salem, Massachusetts underwent a phenomenon we now call today the Salem witch trials. Many believed this was an act of mass hysteria or pure fear. Mass hysteria is a way to relay transmitted illusions, of real or imaginary threats through society. While, Fear is an uneasy mix of emotions caused by thinking that someone or something is harmful, More likely to cause pain than satisfaction, or a threat. Mass hysteria and fear contributed in both “Why I Wrote The Crucible” and “Salem Town and Salem Village” in numerous ways.