What Is Putnam's Mentality In The Crucible

When a crisis breaks out and a culprit needs to be found, many people tend to group off and work together, in order to stay safe. This is displayed when the word of witchcraft floating around Salem comes out. For the small city that Salem, Massachusetts is, something as big as witchcraft shakes the society. People accuse others to protect themselves and gather members of the community to follow their lead. A herd mentality is seen commonly in Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible, with Abigail demanding the girls to do what she says, Thomas Putnam's need for power, and Reverend Parris accusing people because the community believes anything he says, which contributes to the mass hysteria in Salem and leads to the witch trials. Abigail demanding

Thomas says, “Don't you understand that it sir? There is a murdering witch among us, bound to keep herself in the dark. Let your enemies make of it what they will, you cannot blink it more." (The Crucible, Act 1, Line 108). This symbolizes that the Putnams believe that there is a supernatural explanation as to why their kids died. The rockiness between Thomas Putnam and Mr. Parris’s relationship is shown because Putnam questioning him will raise questions about Parris’s reputation. This means that if there is possibly witchcraft being practiced in Parris’s household, it will hopefully get him removed from the minister. Reverend Parris being demoted from minister would be satisfying to Thomas Putnam because he is still mad that his brother-in-law did not win. This connects to the claim because it shows how badly Thomas wants to get Parris denoted from the minister position, which shows his need for power. Again, Putnam’s desire for authority is exhibited when Giles Corey speaks up. “Mr. Putnam, I have here an accusation by Mr. Corey against you. He states that you coldly prompted your daughter to cry witchery upon George Jacobs that is now in jail. It is a lie. Mr. Putnam states your charge is a lie. What say you to that? A fart on Thomas Putnam, that is what I say to that!”(The Crucible, Act 3, Lines 190-193). This implies that Giles accused Thomas of being behind Ann Jr. accusing Jacobs. Moreover, this means that Giles’s accusation is right, proving the theory that the men of Salem are using hysteria to gain power. If Putnam is behind the accusation, he could potentially face consequences and all of his work would be for nothing. This connects to the claim because it shows how Thomas is doing any and everything to rise to power, even if it means putting people in jail. Mass hysteria is present here because Thomas’s actions are creating more problems in