Fear In The Crucible Essay

How does society’s influence control fear and emotion when responsibilities are lost? In Salem, a horde of girls accuses witchcraft against fellow residents which generates fear. Reverend Hale, a witchcraft specialist investigates the Proctors and declares there is no witchcraft, yet the town proceeds with the prosecution of them. John Proctor and two other well-respected residents are hung in front of the city, and the town's fear halts to an end. After World War II, U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy accused people of communism as the origin of the fear of the U.S.S.R. expansion. Correspondingly, The Crucible by Arthur Miller portrays all morals and responsibilities are lost when fear and hysteria control the town because well-respected personnel

Rebecca Nurse has been an honored figure in Salem because she is connected to the church. Goody Putnam targets Rebecca Nurse because Goody Nurse had many children, but many Goody Putnam children died during childbirth under the care of Rebecca Nurse. Furthermore, Martha Corey who is a very religious person is accused of witchcraft because she has been reading books that are forbidden by Salem. Francis states to Hale, “My wife is the very brick and mortar of the church, Mr. Hale -indicating Giles- and Martha Corey, there cannot be a woman closer yet to God than Martha.” (Miller 71) Arthur Miller and other well-respected people including Hollywood figures were accused of communism and lost their dignity during the trials. The respect for these people is lost from the fear and hysteria the community received from McCarthyism. From very religious people to famous actors' lives become ruined when morals and responsibilities are lost when fear and hysteria control

Reverend Parris is caught up in fear after the girls all confess to witchcraft and accuse other people of bewitching others in Salem. After Elizabeth is arrested, the girls present a hoax in court as they all get scared of Mary Warren supposedly sending her spirit down on them. Parris’s fear drives his decision to believe the girls even though the witch specialist Mr. Hale says these girls are faking it. During a court session, Mr. Hale states to the court, “Excellency, this child’s gone wild!” Danforth erupts at Hale, “I will have nothing from you, Mr. Hale!” (Miller 119). McCarthy and other officials fear the U.S.S.R. will expand communism to the U.S. which causes community fear and individuals to be accused of communism. Arthur Miller was arrested because he was not a communist and did not know anyone communist. The court did not believe him and turned against him and put him in jail. The little evidence from the accusation was outgrown by the fear the community presented during the time. Both historical periods displayed fear controlling the community when all morals and responsibilities are lost even if there is no