The Girls as Portrayed in The Crucible, Motivations and Theories for the Girls Behavior
TOPIC: Historical Background of the Girls, The Girls as Portrayed in The Crucible, Motivations and Theories for the Girls Behavior
The Crucible Research Paper
Analyze the motives and personalities of the accusing girls, both historically and in the play. What are different theories for their behavior? Approach this from a behaviorist perspective.
Do an in-depth research analysis of witches and witchcraft leading up to and at the time of the Salem witch hunt/trials. Closely relate all your findings to the book, The Crucible (this is not a paper about witchcraft and witches, but how it relates specifically to the story).
Relate the events and characters portrayed in the historical fictional work, The Crucible, to modern day counterparts or individuals in the McCarthy Hearings.
Introduction: 1 paragraph
Recommended: include a little about the background of the book (including author’s name and date it was written), purpose of the book, as well as a thesis that includes the key terms: The Crucible and your topic area.
Introduction
The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller in 1953, is a historical fictional play based on the events of the Salem witch trials that took place in the late 17th century. Miller intended to use this play as a commentary on the McCarthy Hearings, which were taking place during the time he wrote the play. The Crucible explores the motives and personalities of a group of young girls who accuse others of witchcraft, and delves into the historical background of witches and witchcraft during that period. This research paper aims to analyze the behavior of the accusing girls, examine different theories for their actions from a behaviorist perspective, study the historical context of witchcraft, and draw parallels between the events in The Crucible and the McCarthy Hearings.
Thesis Statement
The motives and personalities of the accusing girls in The Crucible can be understood through a behaviorist perspective, which considers their desire for power, attention, and social conformity as driving factors. By examining the historical background of witchcraft during the Salem witch trials, we can gain insights into the beliefs and fears that influenced their behavior. Furthermore, the events and characters portrayed in The Crucible can be linked to modern-day counterparts in the McCarthy Hearings, highlighting the dangers of mass hysteria and the consequences of false accusations.
Body Paragraphs
Motives and Personalities of the Accusing Girls
Desire for power: The girls, led by Abigail Williams, find a sense of power and control through their ability to accuse others of witchcraft. They exploit the fear and paranoia surrounding witchcraft to establish dominance over others.
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 conforming to the established beliefs about witchcraft. They fear being ostracized if they are not seen as participating in the witch hunt.
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 see 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.
Historical Background of Witchcraft during Salem Witch Trials
Beliefs about witchcraft: The Puritan society held strong beliefs in the existence of witches, who were seen as agents of Satan. These beliefs were fueled by religious fervor and a fear of deviance from societal norms.
Socio-political climate: The Salem witch trials occurred during a time of political instability, communal tension, and economic hardship. These factors contributed to an environment ripe for mass hysteria and scapegoating.
Role of religion: Religion played a significant role in shaping perceptions of witchcraft. The Puritans believed that supernatural forces influenced human lives and that witches had made pacts with the Devil.
Parallels between The Crucible and 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 substantial evidence or due process.
False accusations: In both cases, innocent individuals were accused and suffered severe consequences based on false accusations. Lives were ruined due to guilt by association rather than concrete evidence.
Power dynamics: Both The Crucible and the McCarthy Hearings reveal how those in positions of power manipulate public opinion through fear-mongering and sensationalism.
Conclusion
The motives and personalities of the accusing girls in The Crucible can be understood through a behaviorist perspective, analyzing their desire for power, attention, and conformity. By exploring the historical background of witchcraft during the Salem witch trials, we gain insights into the beliefs that influenced their behavior. Additionally, drawing parallels between The Crucible and the McCarthy Hearings highlights the dangers of mass hysteria and false accusations. The Crucible serves as a powerful reminder of how historical events can resonate with contemporary society, urging us to learn from our past mistakes and remain vigilant against unjust accusations driven by fear and manipulation.