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The Crucible Victim Mentality Essay

767 Words4 Pages

Jaxon Bruzgul
Mr. Frederick
AP English 11
12 February 2023
The Consequences of Victim Mentality In his essay "Epidemic of Accusations," William Shermer explores the phenomenon of mass accusations and how they can spiral out of control. In many ways, this essay serves as a useful lens through which to interpret Arthur Miller's play, The Crucible. The events depicted in the play are seen as a manifestation of the kind of mass hysteria and false accusations that Shermer describes. Miller's portrayal of these events serves as a powerful commentary on the dangers of such behavior.
Shermer argues that the increasing prevalence of mass accusations is a result of societal changes, including changes in the legal system, increased skepticism of authority, …show more content…

This is perhaps best exemplified by the character of Abigail Williams. The first consistency Shermer mentions is that, “Victims tend to be women, the poor, the retarded, and others on the margins of society.” He also iterates that, “Sex or sexual abuse is usually involved.” Abigail is portrayed as a victim of sexual abuse by John Proctor. This abuse is used by her as a tool to manipulate others and gain power over them. She manipulates others by making false accusations of witchcraft against her fellow townspeople. These accusations are then taken up by others, and soon the entire town is swept up in a wave of fear and paranoia, leading to mass arrests and …show more content…

Through the character of Abigail, Miller highlights the ways in which individuals can use false accusations as a tool for gaining power and control. He also depicts how fear and paranoia can quickly spread through a community, leading to mass arrests and trials, and the ruin of individuals' lives and reputations. People whose lives were ruined include John Proctor and Rebecca Nurse. Proctor is a victim of the false accusations of witchcraft, which are made against him by Abigail and the other girls. He is also a victim of the court's corruption and abuse of power. Proctor's persecution is the point in Shermers argument when, “The pendulum swings the other way. As the innocent begin to fight back against their accusers through legal and other means, the accusers sometimes become the accused.” Rebecca is another victim of the court's false accusations of witchcraft as well as the court's manipulation and abuse of power, as she is one of the most respected members of the community. Her false imprisonment undermines the credibility of the

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