Examples Of Abuse Of Power In The Crucible

The Crucible Final Essay In The Crucible, a play by Arthur Miller, is a fictional play that is based on the 1692 Salem witch trials that took place in Salem, Massachusetts. The book relates the tale of a village that becomes caught up in a witch hunt. As more and more people are being accused of witchcraft, the residents of Salem are forced to live in a perpetual state of fear. Most of the characters in The Crucible are shown using or reacting to power. The majority of power is exercised abusively. A well known example of abuse of power is Mccarthyism. McCarthyism, which began at the outset of the Cold War and generally lasted from the late 1940s to the mid to late 1950s, was a time of fervent anti-Communist mistrust in the United States.

The story takes place in Salem, Massachusetts during the 1692 witch trials, where a group of girls falsely accuse innocent people of witchcraft. This leads to a mass hysteria that allows those in positions of power to manipulate and control the situation for their own gain. One example of abuse of power is seen in the character of Judge Danforth. He uses his position as judge to intimidate and coerce witnesses into confessing to crimes they did not commit. He also refuses to listen to any evidence that contradicts his beliefs, showing his unwillingness to accept the truth. Another example is Reverend Parris, who uses his position as a religious leader to gain influence over the townspeople and further his own interests. Parris is more concerned with his own reputation and position in the community than with the well-being of his congregation. He uses fear and manipulation to maintain control over the people, and is willing to sacrifice the lives of innocent individuals to protect his own interests. Through his sermons and public speeches, he spreads paranoia and hysteria, further fueling the witch

One example is the use of social media to bully and harass individuals who voice opinions that are deemed unpopular or controversial(AKA Cancel Culture). Cancel culture refers to the practice of boycotting or shaming individuals or groups who have expressed controversial viewpoints or engaged in behavior deemed unacceptable by a particular community. In Arthur Miller's play "The Crucible," cancel culture is evident in the Salem witch trials, where innocent people were accused and punished for practicing witchcraft without any evidence. The characters in the play are quick to judge and condemn others based on flimsy accusations, rumors, and hearsay. The town's religious leaders use their power to manipulate public opinion and suppress dissenting voices, leading to a climate of fear and intolerance. This parallels modern-day cancel culture, where social media platforms enable users to spread misinformation and launch online campaigns against those they disagree