Depiction of Mass Hysteria in The Crucible by Arthur Miller
The Crucible follows multiple characters in the town of Salem during the 17th century who are persecuted for religious reasons. Proctor, Rebecca Nurse, Giles Corey, and so many others are killed because they are targeted for being outsiders; outsiders did not just refer to people who did not live in salem but referred to anyone who had a different beliefs, race, or even wealth. To justify targeting these people the town utilizes religion as a form of Self-Justification, saying: "You will confess yourself or you will hang!" Religion is intended to create a strong bond between people, but in Salem it turns people on one another.
If the people of Salem had any faults or bad characteristics that hindered their religious persona it was used against them. Proctor was a hard working farmer who lived next to Salem. When Hale arrived in Salem he asked John, "Proctor, let you open with me now, for I have a rumor that troubles me. It's said you hold no belief that there may even be witches in the world. Is that true, sir?" Proctor responded to Hale by saying he didn't know it was in the bible. Hale later tells John "Recite for us your commandments!" John replied to Hale by stating all of the commandments except for adultery, which was ironic because he committed it.
Hale also asks Proctor why he did not attend church every day to which Proctor stated that he does not have the time so he prays in his home when he cannot attend. In these three situations John is looked down upon for not being a true christian. Even though John did things that went against the morals of the church they persecuted him because his idea of religion was different. John felt that religion should not be as strict and straightforward as the town viewed it, but be more loose and focus on the effort put forth by the individual.
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The religious beliefs of the people caused prejudices and persecution. If you were someone who did not believe in god, who committed a sin, or even missed church a few times you would be a look down upon. The people of salem did not just look down upon each other but it led to accusing eachother of witchcraft, which in turn caused people to die.
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Depiction of Mass Hysteria in The Crucible by Arthur Miller. (2022, Nov 08). Retrieved from https://phdessay.com/depiction-of-mass-hysteria-in-the-crucible-by-arthur-miller/
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