Abstract Mass hysteria has been a social problem that has existed for many years of human history. Scientists have tried to determine what underlies what causes the widespread panic and paranoia of mass hysteria‚ even in cases that have occurred in recent history. An analysis on the causes of mass hysteria can enable one to recognize potential ways to solve the problems mass hysteria may materialize. Also‚ scientific research and examples of mass hysteria cases can help one to understand the true
Premium Salem witch trials Salem, Massachusetts Psychology
The Crucible Essay: Introduction: Arthur Miller’s play “The Crucible” was first published in 1953 during the politically tumultuous time of McCarthyist America. By depicting how the Salem theocracy spiraled out of control in 1692‚ Miller draws a parallel between the mass hysteria present in the witch hunts of the period and the Red Scare during the Cold War. The play’s central character and tragic hero is John Proctor. Miller highlights how people speaking out against mass hysteria are like Proctor
Premium Salem witch trials The Crucible
The Crucible: From Play to Movie Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible was adapted into a film premiered in 1996. Miller dramatizes the Salem witchcraft trials in the 1600s. When Abigail Williams (Winona Ryder) and a group of girls begin to accuse people of practicing witchcraft‚ the town goes into hysteria. Abigail has an affair with John Proctor (Daniel Day-Lewis) and accuses his wife Elizabeth (Joan Allen) in an attempt to get rid of her. But Proctor seeks to prove that the girls are lying. Throughout
Premium The Crucible Salem witch trials
After studying Arthur Miller’s play‚ The Crucible‚ I have come to the conclusion that the three people most to blame for the witch hysteria and the subsequent death of innocent people are Abigail Williams‚ Reverend Parris‚ and the judge Hathorne. Each of these people‚ in some way‚ caused harm to blameless people‚ and I will‚ in this essay‚ explain what these people‚ knowingly or unknowingly did to contribute to the death of the innocent people hanged as witches in Salem Village in 1692. Abigail
Premium Salem witch trials The Crucible
Hysteria has a long history around the world. The word itself was used for the first time in Ancient Greece by Hippocrates‚ but as a disorder it was described as early as 1900 BC in Ancient Egypt. The word kept appearing all other the world‚ in all the different ages‚ from the times of Roman Empire to Middle Ages to Renaissance. There is one thing in common in all descriptions‚ it was specific to women and attributed to “traveling womb”. In Victorian era female purity was strongly emphasized and
Premium Woman Gender Charlotte Perkins Gilman
The Crucible In the article "Witch-Hunting‚ Thwarted Desire‚ and Girl Power: Arthur Miller’s The Crucible by Karen Bovard‚ Bovard talks how people fight to gain power in the hysteria of the witch trials. Abigail Williams leads the girls into accusing people and turns people against each other. Mary Warren tires to stand up and tell the truth but fails. Male ministers and judges fight for power. Proctor and Abigail have an affair that starts the turning of friends against friends by the towns’ people
Premium The Crucible Salem witch trials
of Wonders appears to be the cause of the many deaths of the towns people‚ the initial reactions to this catastrophe were far more deadly than the ‘foul contagion’. Throughout the novel‚ brooks explores the effects of ignorance‚ superstition and hysteria‚ and the violent and deadly effects they have on an unprepared society. The village of Eyam and its town people are shown to perform acts of great stupidity and ignorance. Being set in an archaic era it is common feat among the people of the time
Premium Irrationality Village Rationality
Essay Question Although Miller’s The Crucible takes place in the late 1600’s‚ its lessons are still applicable to us in 2013. This short essay focuses on three specific lessons that I have learned from the play‚ which are the negative effects of mass hysteria‚ the consequences of deviating from social norms‚ and the dominance of patriarchy. The first lesson that I learned was that mass hysteria often creates harmful stereotypes. In the play‚ mass hysteria spreads throughout the entire community
Premium Sociology Terrorism The Crucible
Essay for The Crucible * Compare the roles that Elizabeth Proctor and Abigail Williams play in The Crucible. In the play‚ The Crucible‚ there are a variety of characters that serve various purposes‚ a primary one being a representative of the people that were actually present during the Salem Witch Trials and The McCarthyism era. Albeit different people‚ many of the people presented in both of these times had similar roles to play in the grand scheme of things‚ and thus‚ Arthur Miller created
Premium Salem witch trials The Crucible
in The Crucible take place against the backdrop of a deeply religious and superstitious society‚ and most of the characters in the play seem to believe that rooting out witches from their community is God’s work. However‚ there are plenty of simmering feuds and rivalries in the small town that have nothing to do with religion‚ and many Salem residents take advantage of the trials to express long-held grudges and exact revenge on their enemies. Abigail‚ the original source of the hysteria‚ has a grudge
Premium The Crucible Salem witch trials