Mass Hysteria

Mass hysteria is evident in Arthur Miller’s the Crucible from the very beginning of the play. We witness it at the very beginning of the act one when Abigail states,“Uncle, the rumor of witchcraft is all about; I think you would best fit go down and deny it yourself. The parlors patch with people, sir. I’ll sit with her.’’ Abigail is referring to her cousin Betty who is lying in bed in a coma. The rumors of witchcraft have spread quickly throughout Salem and the small close knit community starting to grow pier 4. They have traveled not only to the source of their fear (the girls they believed to have communed with the devil) but also to their spiritual advisor, Reverend Parris. Adding fuel to the fire are those residents of the town who hear a rumor and add onto it with outlandish embellishments as evidenced by the following conversation: “how high did she fly, how high?'' said Ms. Putnam. Then, Reverend Parris “no, no, she never flew—'' Continued with,“Why, I’m sure she did. Mr. Collins saw her goin’ over Ingersoll‘s barn, and came down light as a bird, he says!'' By Ms. Putnam. The combination of the girls dancing in the woods which is against the Puritan religion, the spread of rumors true across the field tow, and the girl ability of the residence them to believe everything they hear, is why the massive amount of hysteria is escalating. The end of act one sees Tituba confessing to witchcraft after she realizes that Reverend Parris and Reverend hale think anything other Mthan a confession is a lie. As Tituba names other which is in the community Abigail realizes that she must also name other which is in the town in order to be forgiven. Hearing Abigail and Tituba chanting names causes Betty to stir and began shouting out names of other which is as well. Knowing what the punishment is for witchcraft his death, and seeing that they will be forgiven for admitting witchcraft and renouncing it, fuels the cycle of hysteria that can only grow worse as it continues.

The beginning of act two continues to show the massive effect of hysteria spreading throughout the town. When Mary Warren returns to the Proctor farm from the court, John Proctor is angry at her for disobeying him. When he had forbidden her from going to town. He questioned whether it was true or not that fourteen people had been accused of witchcraft. Mary replied that it is and it was up to thirty-nine now. John Proctor asks “Mary, is it true? There be fourteen women arrested?'' To which Mary Warren replied “No sir, there be thirty-nine now—'' then Elizabeth Proctor adds “Why, she’s weepin’! What ails you, child?'' Mary Warren’s responded with “Goody Osburn— will hang!'' John proctor astonished said “Hang! Hang, Y’say?'' Elizabeth said “Aye'' Jon Proctor asks '' The deputy governor will permit it?'' “He sentenced her. He must. But not Sarah good. For Sarah good confessed, Y’see'' replied Mary. John Proctor, Elizabeth Proctor, and Mary Warren continue to talk about Sarah good with how she tried to send her spirit out to kill Mary Warren many times. John and Elizabeth are both astonished by this information. Mary Warren is aware that there was no witchcraft being used in the woods. Yet, she continues to carry in with this hysteria. Just like all of the other Salem members.

Act three opens work Giles Corey telling the court that he has evidence against the Putnams showing they are using those witch trials to get more land from the neighbors. When someone