Effects Of Hysteria In The Crucible

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Under the right circumstances, hysteria can have a profound effect on a community and act as a test of morality. The characters’ reactions to the hysteria in Roger Miller’s horrifying drama, The Crucible, expose many of the disturbing aspects of the human condition.

Under the right circumstances, hysteria can have a profound effect on a community and act as a test of morality. The characters’ reactions to the hysteria in Roger Miller’s horrifying drama, The Crucible, expose many of the disturbing aspects of the human condition. Based on actual facts, the play begins with a group of young ladies who have been found dancing in the woods and are being accused of witchcraft. When one of the accused ladies is set free with a meaningless confession to witchcraft, she is able to pursue her infatuation with a married man named John Proctor by accusing his wife, Elizabeth Proctor. After much deception, dishonesty and accusation the play’s main character, John Proctor is accused of witchcraft and hung when he refuses to sign a confession. The hysteria that runs rampant in Miller’s drama reveals the disturbing corruption and dishonesty present among the masses and highlights the virtuous and upstanding minority.

Widespread corruption among the populace is revealed during this time of crazed accusations. The …show more content…
This is a novel that carries over much importance into our present day lives as we still face the same hysteria that Salem experienced over 300 years ago. One of the most recent similarities has been McCarthyism in which Senator Joe McCarthy accused anybody that got in his way of Communism, very similarly to the witch trials. When one concludes Miller’s, The Crucible, it is essential that he walk away with a better understanding of human nature and can better recognize hysterical situations such as McCarthyism and the witch

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