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Societal Control In The Crucible By Arthur Miller

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Societal Control Have you ever felt controlled by society? In 1692, the community of Salem in Massachusetts was based in societal control. The play The Crucible by Arthur Miller shows how in the past societal control was an important part of the people's life in Salem. Today in our community has a lot of factors that control our daily lives which signifies that we are also based in societal control. Societal control is apparent in the past, the present, and inevitably in the future, through the laws, regulatory enforcement, and social groups that exist within our world. In some cases societal control is necessary to live a peaceful life, but sometimes societal control can go to the extremes and cause trouble. In our community we get controlled …show more content…

Laws were used to prevent them from becoming people of the devil or from doing infamous acts. Sometimes the church would cause great fear in the people or inform them about what was going on in the village. As Reverend Parris says “I’ll lead them in a psalm, but let you say nothing of witchcraft yet” (Miller, 918). The law enforcement would be severe. People who danced would be whipped, as Abigail Williams says, “Uncle we did dance; let you tell them I confessed it–and I'll be whipped if I must be" (Miller, 915). People who were accused of witchery were extremely punished. If someone said that they saw their neighbor with the devil or doing some kind of demonic act, they would be convicted to trial for witchery. Even if that person was innocent and said it constantly, the court could not find any proof of their innocence so they would hang them. In The Crucible Elizabeth says “The Deputy Governor promise hanging’ if they’ll not confess… And folks are brought before them, and if they scream and howl and fall to the floor¬-the person’s clapped in jail for bewitchin’ them” (Miller, 938). This falls under societal control because the court would bel¬¬¬¬¬ieve anyone and the church and the court would use this to terrify the people. Social group would matter a lot back then. Everyone would have an eye on everyone. Social groups would also control them. They all wanted to have a “good name” as they called it

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