The Crucible Events and Characters, Modern Day “Witch Hunt” Counterparts, Areas of Comparison

Introduction The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller in 1953, is a historical fictional play that sheds light on the events of the Salem witch trials, which took place in the late 17th century. Miller wrote The Crucible as an allegory for the McCarthy Hearings, which were taking place during the time he wrote the play. This research paper aims to analyze the motives and personalities of the accusing girls in The Crucible, both historically and within the play, from a behaviorist perspective. Additionally, it will explore the historical context of witchcraft during the time of the Salem witch trials and examine the relevance of the events and characters portrayed in The Crucible to modern-day counterparts in the context of the McCarthy Hearings. Thesis Statement The behavior of the accusing girls in The Crucible can be analyzed through a behaviorist perspective, which takes into consideration their desire for power, attention, and conformity. By exploring the historical context of witchcraft leading up to and during the Salem witch trials, we can gain insights into the fears, beliefs, and societal pressures that influenced their behavior. Furthermore, the events and characters depicted in The Crucible can be related to modern-day counterparts in the McCarthy Hearings, highlighting the dangers of mass hysteria, false accusations, and the manipulation of public opinion. Body Paragraphs Motives and Personalities of the Accusing Girls Desire for power: The accusing girls, led by characters like Abigail Williams, seek power and control over others by accusing them of witchcraft. They exploit the prevailing fear and paranoia surrounding witchcraft to establish dominance. Attention-seeking behavior: The girls’ accusations bring them attention and validation from the community. They are seen as righteous and chosen by God, elevating their social status. Social conformity: The girls conform to societal expectations by participating in the witch hunt. They fear being ostracized if they are not seen as actively seeking out witches. Theories for Their Behavior from a Behaviorist Perspective Reinforcement theory: The girls’ behavior is reinforced by the positive consequences they experience, such as attention and power, when they accuse others of witchcraft. Social learning theory: The girls observe and learn from each other’s behavior. They witness how accusations are rewarded and adopt similar strategies to gain similar benefits. Cognitive dissonance theory: The girls experience internal conflict between their knowledge of truth and their desire for power and attention. To reduce this discomfort, they convince themselves that their accusations are justified. Witchcraft Leading up to and during the Salem Witch Trials Historical background: Witchcraft beliefs were deeply ingrained in European and Puritan societies. The fear of witches was fueled by religious fervor, superstitions, and social anxieties. Evidence and substantiation: During the witch trials, various forms of evidence were used to substantiate accusations, including spectral evidence, testimonies of afflicted individuals, and confessions obtained through coercion or torture. Social context: The Salem witch trials occurred within a highly conservative and religious society that feared moral deviance. The trials provided an outlet for societal fears and anxieties. Relevance to Modern-Day Counterparts in the McCarthy Hearings Mass hysteria: Just as in The Crucible, fear and paranoia fueled by political agendas led to mass hysteria during the McCarthy Hearings. Accusations of communism were made without sufficient evidence or due process. False accusations: Both The Crucible and the McCarthy Hearings demonstrate how innocent individuals suffered severe consequences due to false accusations driven by personal vendettas or political motivations. Manipulation of public opinion: In both cases, those in positions of power manipulated public opinion through fear-mongering and sensationalism, leading to widespread panic and unjust actions. Conclusion The motives and personalities of the accusing girls in The Crucible can be understood through a behaviorist perspective that considers their desire for power, attention, and conformity. By examining the historical context of witchcraft during the Salem witch trials, we gain insights into the fears, beliefs, and societal pressures that influenced their behavior. Moreover, relating the events and characters portrayed in The Crucible to modern-day counterparts in the McCarthy Hearings highlights the dangers of mass hysteria, false accusations, and manipulation of public opinion. The Crucible serves as a timeless reminder of how history can repeat itself when fear and irrationality take hold. It urges us to remain vigilant against unjust accusations and to safeguard our society from succumbing to mass hysteria driven by personal or political agendas.    

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