Catie Hassett
Mrs. Hodges
H American Literature
25 October, 2017
Hysteria in Salem From the Merriam-Webster dictionary, hysteria can be defined as behavior exhibiting overwhelming or unmanageable fear or emotional excess. In The Crucible, a play written by Arthur Miller, hysteria serves as a major theme that controls many of the characters, both in their mental beliefs and physical actions. The tightly-knit Puritan society that makes up Salem, in the 1690s where the play takes place, did not accept a single idea of witchcraft and wizardry in any way, shape, or form, due to their strict religious beliefs and principles. The rumors of witchcraft alone makes the people of Salem act by hysterical fear which leads to multiple innocent deaths and
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At the beginning of the play, Abigail triggers the mass hysteria in Salem as she spreads rumors about the witchcraft directed to Betty, Reverend Parris’ daughter. She continues to have effects on the other characters that soon become involved with the situation at hand. Abigail consistently denies her own accusations and passes the false allegations on to other girls in an attempt to save her reputation. The rumors Abigail spreads eventually lead to a questioning for witchcraft. Tituba, her family’s servant, falls to be the victim of the issue and is interrogated by the town. During the questioning, Tituba proclaims, “Reverend, I do believe somebody else be witchin’ with these children” (51). Following Abigail by example, Tituba blames others for the accusations with the fear of her life. Tituba confesses and gives the names of Sarah Good and Mrs. Osborne which causes more hysteria with Mrs. Putnam, a woman who is already caught up in the madness. The denial and accusations of the characters all trail back to the event of Abigail spreading the rumors. Elizabeth Proctor, John Proctor’s wife, is also overcome by hysteria due to Abigail. Elizabeth and John’s marriage falters after