When they came to America, the New England Congregationalists adopted strict standards for admissions to the Church and had a very strict Puritan Code (Heyrman & "Salem Witch Trials"). Everyone in communities had to conform to the religion with Church attendance mandatory at all times ("Puritan Life"). Since Puritans were a varied group of reformers, the Bible was the center of religious life ("People & Ideas: The Puritans"). The Puritans were very devoted to the Church with all life surrounding it, but with this came old assumptions on spirits, which resulted in uncertainty about the spiritual world.
People in the Puritan society all had the same goal of following God and his order, but underneath the surface, hidden anger towards one another may have sparked up issues that increased the intensity of the Witch Trials. From their belief in the Invisible World, Puritans believed almost anything that may have looked suspicious or came from a spirit of any kind (Brandt). They believed that Devil was as real as God to them so anyone could be a witch, who were the servants of the Devil ("Salem Witch Trials" & Schanzer 11). Another point that contributed to the hidden distaste was that there were personal issues that had been involved for people to get rid of. As time went on after their arrival in America, the new colony was divided, which resulted in jealously and neighborly anger, which most likely caused the victimization of the accused (Woolf). Many think that many of the accusations were made over their own problems such as land issues (Schanzer 50 & 112-113). Once people started getting accused of being witches, people from everywhere starting throwing accusations at anyone and everything including animals (Schanzer 41, 55, 57). Many of the accused were great targets since they were different than others and were portrayed as outcasts, which led to many more allegations ("Salem Witch Trials").
Parris is shocked by their anti-Puritan actions and sinfulness. ... Rebbecca Nurse, the ideal Puritan and Christian, is accused of murdering Goody Putnam's babies. ... " (40) Parris has sparked hysteria in Hale, and that hysteria is evident by how hard he is pushing Abigail with his questions. ... Proctor decides to reject the hysteria, though. ... Hysteria overcomes social order and promotes anarchy. ...
Some examples being the impact of hysteria, conformity versus the freedom of individuality, and the wrongful use of authority. ... The setting of each act is spare and sombre, yet effectively portrays the Puritan lifestyle and contributes to the anxiety of the plot. ... Through this callous setting, Miller shows the despair and lack of hope that dominates this act. ... One of Millers universal messages in the Crucible, is the impact of hysteria. ... All of the accusations of witchcraft in the play are made in th...
The hysteria that created the Salem Witch Hunt in 1692 was the result of many factors. ... Instead, they turned to religion to help them cope with these hardships and to give them hope in a higher power to protect them. ... These hardships also supported the strict religious dogma of Puritanism. ... The Puritan religion was also very superstitious. ... Thus, when the hysteria of the Salem Witch Trials began, there was no force of reason or law to counter the weak evidence that was presented, or the calls for execution of the "witches". ...
Believing that there was no other choice but to move to America, they left with the hope of creating a new colony with a new Church purified of any liturgy, ceremony or practices that was not scripted in the Bible. ... In the play, we can see how their plan managed to create hysteria throughout their society and how they managed to tear apart a community. ... The Puritans thought they were the chosen persons of God. ... The Puritans truly believed in the Devil, and believed that the witches were the Devil's helpers. ... The Puritans were fearful of committing any sins, so they l...
This confirms that the "witches" are innocent because the Puritans believed that a person who associated with the devil would not have been able to recite scripture. ... Both fear and pity are further achieved in the new ending; pity for the innocent witches and fear of the occurrence of another hysteria, specifically the hysteria of the McCarthy trials, as Miller intended. ... Another theme is that of hysteria. The witchcraft hysteria was a difficult time in Salem; accused witches were defenseless, they were either to be hanged or condemned. ... In writing The Crucible, Miller hoped to sh...
Puritans believed that witches existed and that they were capable of harm. ... In the Puritan religion, witchcraft was considered a sin because it denied God as being superior. ... All these people might have looked with hope on the year 1692. ... All were victims of the Salem witchcraft hysteria, either due to hanging, being pressed to death, or indirectly dying in jail from the horrible prison conditions (Fremon, 110). ... After Sir William Phipps wrote his letter to London in October and an end was brought to the hysteria, everything really did calm down. ...
Puritans believed that witches existed and that they were capable of harm. ... In the Puritan religion, witchcraft was considered a sin because it denied God as being superior. ... All these people might have looked with hope on the year 1692. ... All were victims of the Salem witchcraft hysteria, either due to hanging, being pressed to death, or indirectly dying in jail from the horrible prison conditions (Fremon, 110). ... After Sir William Phipps wrote his letter to London in October and an end was brought to the hysteria, everything really did calm down. ...
Here, in 1692, mass hysteria about witches went on for little under a year. ... Salem Village developed your typical Puritan society. ... Tituba's trial held no hope for her. ... During Corey's trial one of the girls broke out into hysteria and Corey was put in jail. ... The Puritan religion, culture, and mind-set had a major effect on the citizens of Salem Village. ...
Rebecca Nurse Goody Nurse was a highly regarded, pious pillar of the community who unfortunately could not withstand the power of hysteria. ... This cake was then fed to a dog in hopes of learning the identity of the person tormenting Betty. ... Betty and Cousin Abigail Williams began dabbling in witchcraft activities, however, these games were most accurately described as non-Puritan activities. ... Speculations on the Cause of Trial Most historical scholars agree that the fall of Salem was induced by mass hysteria caused by many factors; however, it is the uniqueness of this hysteria that ha...
