Examples Of Responses In The Crucible

Fear is of high importance of the human experience as it is a common emotion that all face. Our fears are often seen as a warning, triggering further impulsive responses when we believe we are in danger. Many have heard the phrase, “fight or flight,” however, there are typically four fear responses: fight, flight, freeze, and fawn. Such responses cause physical and emotional acts to be drawn out (Amy Marschall, 2021). The characters in The Crucible demonstrate each of these four fear responses as the witch trials begin in Salem. Choosing to fight as a response to fear may be displayed as a physical or verbal contention (Amy Marschall, 2021). Many characters portray verbal dispute as they become fearful for the lives of others and their own.

Giles Corey makes a rush for Putnam. Proctor lunges and holds him. (Miller 3.224)

This fight response is further prominent throughout the play as more villagers of the town refuse to admit to witchcraft. Oftentimes, when we feel as though we can not successfully fight off the threat, we resort to the flight response (Amy Marschall, 2021). Abigail Williams is a prime example of this as it is found out in Act IV of the play that she had run away and stolen money from her uncle.

PARRIS. There is news, sir, that the court–the court must reckon with. My niece, sir, my niece–I believe she has vanished. (Miller 4.64)

She ran away due to the consequences of her previous actions of self-preservation; Proctor was not reciprocating her affection and she faced great burdens in court. These consequences sparked fear in her, so as a panic response, she thus chose to flee. Another fear response we often resort to is to freeze ourselves, until the danger or threat passes (Amy Marschall, 2021). Elizabeth Proctor demonstrates this fear response when she is pulled to court to discuss her husband’s

She—dissatisfied me. Pause. And my husband. (Miller 3.404)

As she feels frightened by the court she stalls for time, and freezes, trying to elaborate the situation at hand. Ultimately, however, the threat that creates this response of hers does not simply go away, so she is then forced to speak. Elizabeth continues to freeze as questions of her husband continue to arrive, thus expressing her growing fear. Fawning is the last of the four responses, and we often rely on this response to please whoever is triggering or causing harm (Amy Marschall, 2021). In court when Abigail cries at the devil to dismiss the accusations of the Salemite girls being dishonest, Mary Warren feels threatened and burdened. As fear arises in Mary, she decides to fawn as a response to this panic and admits to John Proctor dealing with the devil.

MARY WARREN, pointing at PROCTOR. You’re the Devil’s man! (Miller 3.500)

Although she knew Proctor had not been associated with evil works, she fawned and pleased the eyes of everyone watching to save herself. This act of pleasing whoever is triggering fear is also seen throughout the play as the villagers of Salem wish to save their