How Did Salem Witch Trials Affect You In 1692

How would the witch trials in the town of Salem affect you in 1692? The Crucible, a play written by Arthur Miller, examines how life was affected by the Salem witch trials in 1692. Not only the community but from where they were built from, the Puritan society. The Puritan religion influenced how the community viewed government and beliefs as a whole. In turn, individuals within Salem were affected by the way people were brought to justice. In The Crucible, religion and government were so closely interwoven that it blurred the lines between right and wrong which affected the way people reacted and behaved. At the peak of the witch trials, the Puritan society was considered a theocracy. They build the belief of the religion around the idea

40) Citizens within the town of Salem didn’t know how to react or what to think since this was the breaking point into society for witchcraft. Parris had to protect his family and blood but also his power. Unlike Tituba, Betty and Abigail would have been lucky to have someone with such authority to clear their name. Instead, they deny and turn to accusation. In desperate times, they started witch trials in an attempt to cleanse the town. Most evidence came from the behavior of the accused. Abigail was the center of the hysteria. Nobody wanted to be accused, so they became the accusers. Upon Tituba’s testimony, Abigail used God’s gift against her. Abigail explains, “She sends her spirit on me in church: she makes me laugh at prayer!” (I. 419) When Hale asks Abigail, she uses the fact that Tituba is a slave and sings Barbados songs which seems to be enough proof for him. New motives of suspicion are set against Tituba which casts others away from her. It’s not long before she tries to save herself and everyone turns against her. Abigail adding her voice left a new level of hysteria. Viewed by the law, all evidence of witchcraft was based on religious beliefs, not physical

We are supposed to presume people innocent until proven guilty, and everyone should get a fair trial before judgment. This modern structure is the opposite of how things were run within the government in The Crucible. Governor Danforth was a man of power before the witch trials began. Danforth says to John Proctor upon his testimony, “We burn a hot fire here; it melts down all concealment” (III. 95). Thus proving Danforth will get to the bottom of all confessions. No matter what John has to say, the truth will come out. Danforth would have previously known the confession John testified when presenting that bold of a statement. Governor talks about burning a hot fire which represents the falsely accused being condemned. Danforth justified condemning innocent people because he believed he was god-like and could bestow judgment on others without physical evidence. His religious beliefs were evidence enough for him, and nothing could stand in his way. In an attempt to get the last words, Danforth exclaims, “Hang them high over the town! Who weeps for these, weeps for corruption!” (IV. 296) He tries to condemn John to death for taking back his false confessions in the trial. The inability to recognize his wrongdoing left many innocent people dead. If Danforth wasn’t so conceited with his position of power, dozens of