Examples Of Paranoia In The Crucible

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In The Crucible, many individuals in the Salem community lost their lives due to the fictitious thought that witchcraft had arisen in the town. Likewise, many civilians died as a result of police officers belief that the general public preyed on them. This type of paranoia can lead to the destruction of lives. Statistics show that rather than the citizens hunting down police officers, the media exaggerated this idea. This media tactic unnecessarily endangers innocent lives. The idea of a “witch hunt” does not only happen in stories, it has a role in the everyday lives of Americans. In The Crucible, did witchcraft actually exist? No, it did not. Does a rising war against police officers really exist? No, it does not. Paranoia, fear …show more content…

Kassick case links very well to the play. Lisa Mearkle, a police officer, shot unarmed David Kassick due to an expired inspection sticker, an innocent mistake. Mearkle’s paranoia led to the murder of Kassick as to Abigail’s paranoia, of getting into trouble, led to the death of many individuals in the Salem community. Mearkle made Kassick helpless by tasing him until he fell to the ground, in comparison, Abigail made the covenanted Christian women of Salem defenseless by accusing them of witchcraft. These women could not lie due to their beliefs. As Kassick squirmed in the snow, he lifted his head slightly and his life ended. Mearkle fatally shot unarmed Kassick twice in the back, on the other hand, Abigail’s accusations sent the innocent people to their death. The assumption that Kassick had a weapon, led to his death. While Abigail’s accusation of witchcraft caused many members of the Salem community to lose their life. In The Crucible, as well as, in the battle between police officers and unarmed civilians, many innocent people lost their life due to a phony “witch

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