The themes explored in The Crucible

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Is dancing a witchery act? Is the forest a territory for evil? In present day one would answer no to these questions mentioned above. However, in 1692 a typical Puritan of Salem would have answered yes to both of the questions mentioned above. The Puritans left Europe, settling in Salem to escape religious persecutions. In Salem the Puritans lived a strictly Puritanical religious life. However, when in Salem they persecuted because of their failed theocracy. The Crucible by Arthur Miller is a play which addresses the historical major themes behind the witch hunt which was instigated by the failed theocracy.
Salem’s failing theocracy is a result of hysteria. Betty’s behaviour is one of the many examples of hysteria in The Crucible. Hysteria is an uncontrollable emotion. In this case the exaggerated uncontrollable emotion is fear. The girls were caught dancing in the woods therefore out of fear of being whipped or hanged the girls turn hysteria and deception as an escape goat. Betty does not believe that she can really fly, but hysteria has totally taken over her logic thus she behaves as such. This is one of the reasons why Abigail tries to wake her up because as far as she’s concerned it is all an act. Hysteria plays a major role in The Crucible and it is apparent throughout the play. This is the same hysteria that the girls use to convince the court that the named people are communing with the devil. The do not only turn to hysteria and deception to only protect them, but to protect their family reputation. Betty’s father is the reverend of the town therefore it is very crucial that the family’s reputation remains pristine and not associated with witchcraft. The rest of the community does not partake in this hysteria solely o...

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...erts a needle into her abdomen and claims that Elizabeth is bewitching her therefore causing her to hurt herself. This is an indication of just how far Abigail will go to get her own way. When Elizabeth is taken to jail for owning a poppet and supposedly bewitching Abigail, Proctor tells Marry Warren to testify against Abigail. Although Marry Warren agrees her subservient and lonely character foreshadows her in court when she sees Abigail and the rest of the girl turning against her, accusing her of witchery. When Marry Warren is asked to faint in court as proof that it is indeed all just an act, she fails to. Therefore the court discards her testimony. Out of fear of Abigail and in order to save her life Marry Warren, lies again and claims that Proctor had pressured her to lie in court. Abigail remains in control, deceiving and ultimately killing innocent people

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