Examples Of Mass Hysteria In The Crucible

“Even in an enlightened democracy, the media have to check themselves to make sure they are not contributing to an unnecessary mass hysteria” (Brainyquote). Even the most sophisticated governments can lead the public into a state of hysteria. Often times when people become hysterical, others take that opportunity to obtain power for their personal benefit. In history and Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, public hysteria was exploited in order to obtain and manipulate power for personal gain.

The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller, was a historical play written about the Salem witch trials that took place in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1692-93. The Salem witch trials created mass hysteria throughout the entire village of Salem, which was also mainly inhabited by Puritans. Puritans had a set ideal of firm beliefs that managed how they lived. Essentially, they were living as an elect, which meant they (referring to the Puritans) had a place in heaven for the righteous acts they have done in the physical world. Meaning, any sinful acts could potentially hinder the chances of entering heaven as an elect. The Crucible, questioned everything the Puritans abided by. It questioned the basic morals of a pure lifestyle, adultery and

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.

Hysteria is an exaggerated or uncontrollable emotion or excitement, especially among a group of people. This can lead to lie being spread that people will believe due to hysteria. In the Crucible by Arthur Miller, Arthur use the red scare of post war america as his inspiration for his novel. During the red scare people were accusing any person of being a communist and people believed because due to hysteria. Arthur miller uses hysteria to show that it leads to Damaged reputations,lies ,and hurting people's lives.

1. Throughout The Crucible, the theme of mass hysteria is presented. For example, after Tituba “confessed” to have been working under pressure, Abigail screams “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!” (54) The reason why Abigail suddenly “confesses” starts with Tituba. Tituba was under extreme pressure when Reverend Hale and many others were screaming at her; therefore she decided to just give them what they want – a confession – so they would stop. Seeing this, Abigail joins in that she will not be interrogated later, thus adding to the overall hysteria and madness of a witch hunt. In addition, the theme of vengeance is also displayed when John Proctor blatantly states “I'll tell you what's walking Salem - vengeance is walking Salem… now the little crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom,

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.

“There is a misty plot afoot so subtle we should be criminal to cling to old respects and ancient friendships. I have seen too many frightful proofs in court-the Devil is alive in Salem, and we dare not quail to follow wherever the accusing finger points!” (Hale, Act 2, p. 68) Throughout the book by Arthur Miller known as, “The Crucible”, there are numerous examples of thematic writing and hidden meanings to the words on the pages. Some of these themes include vengeance, fear, emotion vs. reasoning and many more. One theme, however, shines above all others within the piece, that of hysteria.

What is mass hysteria? It is a condition in which a large group of people exhibit similar physical or emotional symptoms, such as anxiety or extreme excitement. In the Crucible, the Salem Witch Trials take place. The Salem Witch Trials took place in 1642 in Salem, Massachusetts. The Salem Witch Trials was a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft. The Crucible and the Salem Witch Trials is a notable example of mass hysteria. One example of mass hysteria was in 1994, The Toxic Lady. The Toxic Lady was a woman whose body and blood made the workers at Riverside General Hospital fall ill. But, when doctors and professionals took a closer look in the situation; they found out that mass hysteria has taken

In the short story “The Crucible” hysteria is spread when Betty and Abigail were dancing in the forest around a fire and caused the townspeople to suspect that both girls were associated with witchcraft due to religious beliefs. This hysteria caused reverend Parris to fear that his position was in danger because if the townspeople were to find out his enemies would attempt to dethrone him. In this case hysteria was caused by Betty and Abigail dancing in the forest around a fire. Therefore hysteria is spread by the fact that Parris is panicking with that he is causing more hysteria, “It must come out - my enemies will bring it out.Let me know what you done there. Abigail, do , you understand that I have enemies?”. This quote signifies how

There were many conflicts and troubles in this play. No one was getting along and there were many arguments. This all started when Abigail and a group of girls went dancing in a forest trying to conjure up spirits. They get caught and to not get in trouble, the girls blame others and somehow get away with it. Many people are taken to jail, and many even hung. All this instead of just telling the truth. Many struggle with telling the truth because they are scared of the consequence. “Keeping everyone happy and telling the truth at the same time is an extraordinarily difficult art.” (Howell). By Abigail blaming others, it causes the judge to come in the picture and many more others. In Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible, a young girl named Abigail, Judge Danforth, and all the townspeople were the reasons why there were so much mass hysteria in Salem.

In both Salem during the 1690s and in the entirety of the United States in the 1930s, mass hysteria took over for short times due to word of mouth. In Salem, Massachusetts, twenty people were convicted and hanged for the crime of witchcraft in the time between February 1692 and May 1693. It began mainly with a pair of young girls, nine year old Betty Parris and her eleven year old cousin, Abigail Williams, who began displaying fits of what was deemed devil work by doctors who could not diagnose it as a known illness (and if you know about colonial medicinal practises, you wouldn’t be surprised). The hysteria during the night of Halloween of 1938; while the threat of Hitler’s invasion of Europe were constantly broadcasted via radio throughout an already paranoid United States; was in the form of a radio dramatization of H.G.Wells’ novel, War of the Worlds. In both instances, the use of a common paranoia - in

Mass Hysteria in The Crucible Many characters in Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible contribute to the mass hysteria in the story. Mass hysteria isn’t an uncommon phenomenon; it happens all of the time, and one of the best known examples of mass hysteria is the Salem Witch Trials. Mass hysteria happens when a group of people fear something whether it’s real or a rumor. An example of mass hysteria in today’s society is the Charlie Charlie Challenge, this challenge caused many people to panic because they thought by doing the challenge, they were inviting a demon into their house.

The Crucible is a play written by Arthur Miller about the horrific events that happened in the city of Salem, Massachusetts. The definition of the word crucible is a severe test or also known as a ceramic or metal container in which metals or other substances may be melted or subjected to very high temperatures. Arthur Miller picked this word as the severe test represents people being prosecuted and the high temperatures needed to melt metal in a container represents the high tensions in Salem. These horrific events are known as the Salem Witch Trials, where over 200 people were accused of witchcraft and 20 people had been sentenced to death. All this corruption had been caused over hysteria. In The Crucible hysteria is what tears the town apart as people acted on their grudges and dislikes.

Fear, and Hysteria are two words that can describe the play The Crucible. hysteria and the fear in the play The Crucible. Hysteria is defined as exaggerated or uncontrollable emotion or excitement, especially among a group of people and in the play The Crucible, hysteria comes in when a group of girls decide to go with their leader being Abigail and dance in the woods naked. Arthur miller also used fear to control the people in the town. This fear and hysteria will lead to the death of several innocent people who wouldn't confess to doing something they didn't because they are stuck in there Puritan ways. The hysteria and the fear of the people will blow everything out of the water for those who confess and those who don't.

Moore and Miller extend their portrayal of hysteria from derivations of the extreme versions of historical political climates that exploited the morals and cognition of those they were governing. Power was evident within ‘The Crucible’ directly through the corrupt judicial system, basing their judgements on tactics that relied solely on the accused’s confession. ‘sir, that a person is either with this court or he must be counted against it, there be no road between’(Act 3. Scene 2. 45) explains Danforth’s black and white perception towards the authorities and the judicial system similar to majority of the authorities’ attitudes. Providing further insight into how Moore utilised dialogue to characterise and further structure the influence that power had on mass hysteria. Miller explored the idea of faith and how preconceived notions concerning the authenticity of religious figures in power are damaging to society, specifically through the characters of Reverend John Hale and Reverend Parris’s constant affirmations of propaganda that incited hysteria including publicly doubt within the community through ‘You have sent your spirit out upon this child, have you not? Are you gathering souls for the Devil? (Act 1. Scene 1. Page 34) ‘The Crucible’ was structured as a play so audiences could fully comprehend the emotive language intended to persuade and scare the community in a state of hysteria, consequently, allowing opposing perspectives to be easily identified. Moore explored