Examples Of Hysteria In The Crucible

What is hysteria? Hysteria refers to a psychological condition characterized by a state of intense emotional distress, often including symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and uncontrollable outbursts of emotion. In the context of The Crucible, hysteria refers to the mass panic and fear that swept through Salem, leading to the persecution and execution of innocent people accused of witchcraft. Similarly to the mass panic and anxiety that swept through Salem during the witch trials, the 1950s in America was also marked by widespread fear and paranoia. This period was denoted with a deep-seated anxiety about the perceived threat of communist infiltration in the United States, which was fueled by Senator Joseph McCarthy and his supporters through

In act 3 of The Crucible by Arthur Miller, Mary Warren, who has been a part of Abigail's group of accusers, tries to come forward and tell the truth about the false accusations of witchcraft. She tells the court that they have all been pretending, but Abigail turns on her, and the other girls, who have been following Abigail's lead, begin to mimic Mary's every word and action. Overwhelmed and intimidated by their collective power, Mary recants her statement and joins Abigail and the other girls in accusing John Proctor of being a witch (115-120). This scene shows how the accusers in the play are driven by a sense of fear and irrationality. They have created a narrative about the existence of witches in the community, and they are determined to find and punish them, regardless of whether their accusations are based on evidence or not. This scene also highlights the power dynamics at play in the trials. The charged are pressured to admit to witchcraft and name others as witches to save themselves. This pressure comes from the court officials and the mob mentality of the other accusers. Mary Warren, who initially tries to tell the truth, is ultimately coerced into joining the accusations against John Proctor, indicating how the power of the mob can overpower even the most well-intentioned

The play is set during the witch trials in Salem, where innocent people were persecuted and executed for witchcraft due to mass panic and fear. The play depicts the desperation of the accused, who were willing to confess to crimes they did not commit to save their lives. Religion is shown to be a tool of manipulation, with individuals in power using faith to control others. John Proctor is portrayed as a rational individual who refuses to give in to fear and panic. Abigail Williams is a character who manipulates hysteria to gain power, falsely accusing innocent people of witchcraft. The Crucible is a commentary on the dangers of mass hysteria and the importance of individual morality in times of