The Crucible Conformity Essay

The sense of belonging often outweighs the morals of a person. In social environments, one may be more likely to succumb to the peer pressure of drinking, in order to feel like they fit in amongst others. In the best cases, conformity can bring out the best in a person by giving them a sense of belonging. However, if taken the wrong way, it can be destructive to an individual’s sense of self, as well as those surrounding them. Arthur Millers, The Crucible, addresses what can happen to a society, if overwrought by the need to conform to certain expectations. The play follows the town of Salem, a community who has become infiltrated by the accusations of witchery. Miller utilizes the concept of conformity by forcing individuals to be an outcast,

Oftentimes, individuals will demonstrate actions to get themselves out of trouble due to fear. Mary Warren is one of the girls in the play who has falsely accused multiple people within Salem of witchcraft. Despite this, as the play advances, Mary Warren decides to testify against the girls she once accused others with, admitting to administering false accusations in their community. While in the courtroom, the other girls begin to dance and act like Mary has put them under a spell, practically accusing Mary of witchcraft. In order to save her own neck, she throws John Proctor under the bus, declaring “‘You’re the Devil’s man!’” and “‘I’ll murder you’ he says’” (Miller 121). Proctor was the one who suggested Mary testify against the girls in the first place. Mary is torn between doing what is right, and she fears herself of being accused of witchcraft by the other girls, as they hold great influence in the community. She cares more about what the group thinks of her and what they will do to her, rather than the impact her consequences will have on others. Mary betrays her own morals for a sense of belonging within their community. If she had not retracted her claims, she herself most likely would have died. Moreover, putting the blame on others is something many people do in present day society. According to, “Why We Blame Others” by Ana Gonzalez, “Blame is an incredibly easy and effortless tactic to use when we feel defensive” (Gonzalez 1). Many individuals result in blame because it is an easy tactic to avoid being accused of something. By putting the blame on another individual, it allows for someone to continue living their life the way they choose to. Oftentimes, blame is connected to conformity in the sense that individuals end up blaming others, in order to conform to the expectations of a group, to avoid the consequences. Mary Warren put the blame on John Proctor,