Intolerance In The Crucible
The Salem witch trials were a series of prosecutions against people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts. The trials resulted in the executions of 20 people, most of whom were women.
The Crucible is a play by Arthur Miller about the Salem witch trials. The play is a fictionalized account of the events, but it captures the terror and paranoia that gripped the community during that time.
Intolerance from The Crucible is a deeply unsettling play that speaks to our own fears and prejudices. It is a reminder of how easily we can be caught up in mob mentality and how devastating the consequences can be.
A single lie destroys a person’s reputation for honesty, according to Ayn Rand. It also implies that even someone in a high-ranking job may be destroyed by a lie. If you allow lies to control your social environment, you will eventually become their victim as well.
Salem was a theocracy, which is a governmentwho’s authority comes from God. The Salem witch trials were a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts between February 1692 and May 1693.
The Crucible is a 1953 play by American playwright Arthur Miller. It is a dramatized and partially fictionalized story of the Salem witch trials that took place in the Massachusetts Bay Colony during 1692/93.
The Salem witch trials have often been used as an example of religious intolerance, mass hysteria, and abuse of power. The play is also an allegory for McCarthyism, when the United States government persecuted people accused of being communists.
Intolerance is defined as “unwillingness to accept views, beliefs, or behaviors that differ from one’s own.” The Salem witch trials were a perfect example of intolerance. The people of Salem were so quick to accuse others of witchcraft, and they didn’t even have any real evidence.
The Crucible is a great example of how intolerance can lead to mass hysteria. The Salem witch trials were started by a group of girls who were caught dancing in the woods. They were then accused of being witches and the whole town went into a panic.
The Salem witch trials are a reminder of how important it is to be tolerant of different views and beliefs. If we’re not tolerant, we can easily fall into the trap of mass hysteria.
The Crucible by Arthur Miller and Maurice Ogden’s poem “The Hangman” both explore the darker side of humans. The former is set in Salem during the witch trials while the latter is set in an unnamed town ruled by a hangman. Both works show how hate and ignorance can lead to disastrous consequences.
Salem and the town in “The Hangman” are two examples of how intolerance/ignorance can lead to corruptness and eventually self-destruction.
Salem was a Puritan town that was very religious. The Salem witch trials were a series of hearings before local magistrates followed by county court trials to prosecute people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts between February 1692 and May 1693. The Crucible is a play by American playwright Arthur Miller, written in 1953.
It is a dramatized and partially fictionalized story of the Salem witch trials that took place in the Massachusetts Bay Colony during 1692–93. Tituba, one of the first three people accused of being witches, is an enslaved woman who hails from Barbados. Due to the intolerance of Salem, she is arrested and put on trial.
There’s an episode in “The Hangman” called “Intolerance,” in which the Hangman is depicted as a figure who has no compassion for those that inquire of him. In both pieces, Intolerance is one of the prevalent themes.
Salem, in The Crucible is a theocracy, and their religious beliefs were used to justify their treatment of others. In “The Hangman”, while intolerance is not given a specific source, it is clear that the townspeople are prejudiced against the hangman because of his profession. In both works, the people who are most vocal about their intolerance are those in positions of power.
In The Crucible, Salem’s theocracy is used as a tool of oppression by those in power. The Salem witch trials were used to persecute anyone who did not conform to the Puritan way of life. The Salem witch trials were a result of the Puritans’ fear of anything different or anything that they did not understand. The Salem witch trials were a way for the Puritans to maintain their power by keeping anyone who was different from them out of Salem.
“The Hangman” is a story about intolerance, but it does not have a specific source. The townspeople are prejudiced against the hangman because of his profession. The townspeople are afraid of the hangman because they do not understand his job. The townspeople are also intolerant of the fact that the hangman is different from them. The townspeople in “The Hangman” are like the Puritans in The Crucible in that they are afraid of anything that is different from them.
Intolerance is a problem that plagues both The Crucible and “The Hangman”. In both works, the people who are most vocal about their intolerance are those in positions of power. The Salem witch trials were a result of the Puritans’ fear of anything different or anything that they did not understand.
The townspeople in “The Hangman” are like the Puritans in The Crucible in that they are afraid of anything that is different from them. Intolerance is a problem that can be solved by understanding and accepting those who are different from us.
In “The Hangman,” prejudice is evident. In order to see how the people of the town would react, the Hangman provides them with a severe test known as the hang trial. On his arrival in an unnamed hamlet, the Hangman constructed his gallows. The identity and crimes of the criminal are a secret to residents of this village. On the first day, he hanged someone from another nation who had come to their town.
People in the town started to believe that maybe this criminal was a Salem witch. The second day, he hung a woman who had been convicted of being a witch in Salem. This created more hysteria and intolerance among the people of the town. The Salem witch trials were a series of hearings before local magistrates to prosecute people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts between February 1692 and May 1693.
The hangings of nineteen innocent people marked one of the darkest periods in American history. In “The Crucible,” Arthur Miller’s play about the Salem witch trials, intolerance is also present. The main character, John Proctor, is put on trial for witchcraft after his affair with Abigail Williams is revealed.
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Examples of Intolerance in The Crucible
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Published: Mar 13, 2024
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Themes and Analysis
The crucible, by arthur miller.
Through 'The Crucible,' Miller explores several important themes, such as the power of fear and superstition and the dangers of religious extremism.
Article written by Emma Baldwin
B.A. in English, B.F.A. in Fine Art, and B.A. in Art Histories from East Carolina University.
Arthur Miller’s ‘ The Crucible ‘ is one of the most powerful and poignant plays ever written . Set in the Puritan town of Salem during the 1690s, the play focuses on a series of trials that ultimately reveal the dangers of fear and ignorance. The play is filled with important symbols and themes that drive the narrative, many of which are highly relatable, even today.
The Corruption of Power
In the story of ‘ The Crucible ,’ power corrupts absolutely. In the village of Salem, the court proceedings are directed by those in authority, such as Reverend Parris and Deputy Governor Danforth. They misuse their power to further their own personal agendas, leading to false accusations and wrongful executions. The corruption of power serves as a warning against allowing authority figures to control everyday life without consequence.
The Dangers of Hysteria
‘ The Crucible ‘ demonstrates how quickly hysteria can spread and affect a community. With the accusations of witchcraft, fear and paranoia spread like wildfire among the citizens of Salem. This leads to even more accusations and further isolation of those thought to be guilty. The play warns readers against succumbing to hysteria and shows the real danger it can pose when left unchecked; this relates directly to McCarthyism in the 1950s in the United States.
Ignorance and Intolerance
Many of the characters in ‘ The Crucible ‘ are ignorant and intolerant of others, especially those they view as outsiders. This is demonstrated through the character of Reverend Parris, who is deeply suspicious of anyone who is different or opposes him. Similarly, intolerance is shown when those accused of witchcraft are assumed to be guilty despite a lack of evidence. The play emphasizes the need for tolerance and understanding in order to prevent further strife.
Key Moments
- Reverend Parris discovers his daughter and niece dancing in the woods with Tituba, his slave, and other girls from the village. Betty falls into a coma.
- Parris questions the girls about witchcraft.
- It’s revealed that Abigail had an affair with her former employer John Proctor. She still wants to be with him.
- Betty wakes up screaming.
- Tituba confesses to witchcraft. Abigail joins her.
- Abigail and the other girls begin to accuse various citizens of Salem of witchcraft.
- Mary Warren, now a court official, testifies against John Proctor in court.
- Elizabeth urges John to go to town and convince them that Abigail is not telling the truth. She is suspicious of their relationship.
- Mary gives Elizabeth a poppet.
- John is questioned by Reverend Hale.
- The town marshal arrests Elizabeth and finds the poppet, which has a needle in it.
- Mary admits she made the poppet in court, and Elizabeth claims she’s pregnant.
- The girls start screaming in court, saying that Mary is sending her spirit to them.
- Elizabeth convinces John to admit to witchcraft.
- John Proctor signs a confession but then rips it up before it can be used as evidence against him.
- John Proctor is put to death after refusing to lie about being a witch.
Tone and Style
The tone of Arthur Miller’s ‘ The Crucible ‘ is serious and intense due to the subject matter of the Salem Witch Trials. Miller captures a sense of urgency and fear that pervaded the small town of Salem at the time, which amplifies the drama and tension between the characters. This serves as a reminder of the underlying paranoia that can quickly infect a community.
The writing style of Miller’s play is direct and succinct. Miller deliberately focuses on dialogue and action, allowing for a natural flow to the story as it unfolds. He also uses strong language to draw attention to the ways in which fear and paranoia can lead to injustice. Through this approach, Miller effectively conveys the consequences of these events. In part, this is due to the format of the story. It’s a drama, meaning that it is almost entirely composed of only dialogue.
Witchcraft is the most obvious symbol in ‘ The Crucible ‘, representing the fear and paranoia of the characters during the Salem Witch Trials. Miller uses it to reflect the rampant hysteria of the time and how quickly false accusations spread throughout Salem. Witchcraft can also be seen as a metaphor for the powerlessness of individuals in the face of a repressive and superstitious society.
Proctor’s House
John Proctor’s house serves as a symbol of both the struggles and the strength of his marriage to Elizabeth. It is not only a physical representation of their relationship but also an example of their commitment to one another. As their relationship unravels, so does their home, until it is eventually burned down by the townspeople. This symbolizes the breakdown of their marriage and the ultimate downfall of their relationship.
The forest is a symbol of freedom in ‘ The Crucible .’ It represents the escape from repression, control, and oppression in Salem. By venturing out into the woods, characters like Tituba, Abigail, and Parris are able to reject societal norms and restrictions, allowing them to find their own paths. It is also a sign of hope for those who are struggling against the unjust and oppressive nature of Salem society.
What is the most important theme in The Crucible by Arthur Miller?
The most important theme in “The Crucible” is the power of public opinion and hysteria. It demonstrates how an environment of fear and superstition can be manipulated to create a situation of paranoia and distrust.
Why is The Crucible by Arthur Miller important?
‘ The Crucible ‘ is important because it explores themes of morality, justice, and personal responsibility. It also examines the effects of unchecked hysteria and paranoia on individuals and society as a whole.
Why did Arthur Miller write The Crucible ?
Arthur Miller wrote ‘ The Crucible ‘ as a metaphor for McCarthyism, which was a period of intense anti-communist sentiment in the United States during the 1950s. He wanted to illustrate how similar events could happen again if unchecked fear and paranoia were allowed to spread.
Who are some of the main characters in The Crucible ?
Some of the main characters in The Crucible include John Proctor, Abigail Williams, Elizabeth Proctor, Reverend Parris, Reverend Hale, and Judge Danforth.
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About Emma Baldwin
Emma Baldwin, a graduate of East Carolina University, has a deep-rooted passion for literature. She serves as a key contributor to the Book Analysis team with years of experience.
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The Crucible
Arthur miller, ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions.
In The Crucible , neighbors suddenly turn on each other and accuse people they've known for years of practicing witchcraft and devil-worship. The town of Salem falls into mass hysteria, a condition in which community-wide fear overwhelms logic and individual thought and ends up justifying its own existence. Fear feeds fear: in order to explain to itself why so many people are afraid, the community begins to believe that the fear must have legitimate origins.
In The Crucible , hysterical fear becomes an unconscious means of expressing the resentment and anger suppressed by strict Puritan society. Some citizens of Salem use the charge of witchcraft willfully and for personal gain, but most are genuinely overcome by the town's collective hysteria: they believe the devil is attacking Salem. And if the devil is attacking your town, then ensuring that your neighbor is punished for selling you a sick pig suddenly becomes a religious necessity, a righteous act that protects the God you love and proves that you're not a witch or a devil-worshipper. The Crucible shows how religious fervor fuels hysteria and leads to conditions that sacrifice justice and reason.
Hysteria ThemeTracker
Hysteria Quotes in The Crucible
Home / Essay Samples / Literature / The Crucible / Examples of Hysteria in the Crucible, Themes of Fear and Intolerance
Examples of Hysteria in the Crucible, Themes of Fear and Intolerance
- Category: Literature
- Topic: Arthur Miller , Book Review , The Crucible
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