Research Paper On The Crucible Just Shut Up

Jonathan Pettyjohn Mr. Pettyjohn ELA III April 16, 2024 Just Shut Up: The Solution to the Hysteria in The Crucible The human race has used verbal communication long before written words or images have been used to share ideas, so it is understandable why telling someone to “Just shut up!” can be seen as one of the most disrespectful things one can say to another. This phrase communicates an idea: the one who states it does not believe the victim’s ideas are worth considering or that their words are worth hearing. In some cases, this is true. In The Crucible, a play by American dramatist Arthur Miller, several examples of illegitimate verbal accusations and verbal speculation lead to the mounting hysteria that plagues the town of Salem. In the

Betty, staring too: I saw George Jacobs with the Devil! I saw Goody Howe with the Devil! Parris: She speaks the truth! He rushes to embrace BETTY. She speaks a lot about her! Hale: Glory to God! It is broken, it is free! Betty, calling out hysterically and with great relief: I saw Martha Bellows with the Devil! Abigail: I saw Goody Sibber with the Devil! It is rising to great glee. Putnam: The marshal, I’ll call him the marshal! Act I, par. 58. 483-488) In other words, after seeing the attention given to Tituba, the girls begin to make wild accusations of any women or girls other than those within their group. These verbal accusations aren’t the only thing that drives the hysteria. As can be seen when Martha Corey is arrested, jokes made aloud also increase the panic within the village. A statement made in Act I is then followed in Act II when Giles Corey says, “Martha, my wife [hides her books]. I have woken at night many a time and found her in a corner, readin’ of a book.” (Act I, par. 367) Giles Corey mentions his wife reading books when the hysteria first begins. Then, in Act II, he says, “I never said my wife was a witch, Mr. Hale: I only said she was reading books!” (Act II,