Answer Key The Crucible Test

The Crucible Act I 1. The play opens with Reverend Parris praying by his afÒicted daughter’s bedside. We are left to infer, from the dialogue that follows between Parris and his niece, the details of the events preceding this moment. What do we come to learn has caused Betty’s afÒiction? a) She has been bewitched b) She is desperately frightened because her father has seen her meddling with witchcraft c) Abigail has poisoned her with a brew made in the forest d) She feels terribly guilty because she has had an affair with a married man 2. The dialogue between Parris and Abigail also reveals some important characteristics of the Reverend: Parris: If you trafÏcked with spirits in the forest, I must know it now, for surely my enemies will, and they will ruin me with it. Abigail: But we never conjured spirits. Parris: Then why can she not move herself since midnight? This child is desperate! (Abigail lowers her eyes). It must come out - my enemies will bring it out. Let me know what you done there. Abigail, do you understand that I have many enemies? Abigail: I have heard of it, uncle. Parris: There is a faction that is sworn to drive me from my pulpit. Do you understand that? Abigail: I think so, sir. Parris: Now then, in the midst of such disruption, my own household is discovered to be the very center of some obscene practice. Abominations are done in the forest – Abigail: It were sport, uncle! Parris: (pointing at Betty) You call this sport? . . .I cannot blink what I saw, Abigail, for my enemies will not blink it. From the above dialogue, we can infer that the Reverend’s primary motive for wanting to know what happened in the forest is. . . a) b) c) d) His fatherly love for his daughter His jealousy over Betty’s fondness for Abigail His concern for his own reputation His desire for gossip, to know more about the townspeople 3. The Putnams then enter the bedroom. Miller describes Mrs. Putnam as “a twisted soul of forty-five, a deathridden woman, haunted by dreams.” What has happened in her life to twist her soul and haunt her dreams? a) She has lost seven seemingly-healthy babies to an inexplicable death b) She desperately hates Goody Good, her rival in the village c) She and her husband have been sued again and again by the villagers d) She is ridden with jealousy over Rebecca Nurse’s fame as a saintly woman 4. Abigail insists that the other girls remain silent about her attempts to witch John Proctor’s wife. She then threatens them: “Let either of you breathe a word, or the edge of a word, about the other things, and I will come to you in the black of some terrible night and I will bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder you.” The best paraphrase of this passage is. . . a) If either of you reveals even the smallest detail of what I did in the forest, I will come to you while you sleep and stab you out of vengeance. b) If either of you tells what really happened in the forest, I will wait until a time when you aren’t expecting it, and I will get even with you in an unexpected way. c) If either of you talks about what I did in the forest, I will point the finger at you and you will be the one to hang. d) If either of you shares the details of our forest witchery, I will pointedly tell the Reverend something that will make him shudder. 5. Once John and Abigail are left (mostly) alone in the room, we see some details of their relationship unmasked. These details are revealed both through their dialogue and the stage directions. Read over the following stage directions. What do these reveal about the present feelings of both Abigail and John? Proctor (looking at Abigail now, the faintest suggestion of a knowing smile on his face). Proctor (his smile widening) Abigail (her concentrated desire destroys his smile) Proctor (setÝng her firmly out of his way) Abigail (grasping his hand before he can release her) Abigail (clutching him desperately) Proctor (gently pressing her from him, with great sympathy but firmly) a) Abby still longs for John and wants to rekindle their affair; John, though fond of her and tempted by her, is determined to maintain his distance. b) Abby is angry and resentful at John for breaking off their affair; John is trying to be understanding and kind though he no longer desires her c) Abby is in love with John but is determined not to hurt him; John is playing with her feelings because she is young and vulnerable d) Abby still hopes to seduce John despite her earlier failure to do so; John is steadfastly resisting the temptation and is disgusted by her efforts 6. The company asks Rebecca Nurse, an elderly woman renowned for her piety, to give advice about the stricken Betty. She says, I think she’ll wake in time. Pray calm yourselves. I have eleven children, and I am twenty-six times a grandma, and I have seen them all through their silly seasons, and when it come on them they will run the Devil bowlegged keeping up with their mischief. I think she’ll wake when she tires of it. A child’s spirit is like a child, you can never catch it by running after it; you must stand still, and, for love, it will soon itself come back. Her advice can best be summarized by which of the following? a) b) c) d) The girls are clearly bewitched; do not chase their spirits or the devil will whisk them away. The girls are just acting like silly teenagers. Leave them alone and they’ll come to their senses. The girls are acting silly; all you need to do is give them a good beating and they will stop. The girls are under the influence of the Devil; bring the witch finders as quickly as possible to break the spell. 7. It is revealed that John Proctor has not been to church in some time. What does he offer as an explanation for his absence? a) He has been working outside the county in another town b) His child has been ill c) He can’t bear to sit in the congregation with “soiled” or sinful people d) He doesn’t like the negative preaching of Reverend Parris 8. How would you characterize John Proctor’s relationship with Thomas Putnam? a) Proctor is jealous of Putnam’s money and influence b) Putnam is jealous of Proctor’s youth and attractiveness c) Proctor sees Putnam as greedy and arrogant d) Putnam sees Proctor as lazy and stupid 9. The Crucible has a number of passages of authorial intrusion, where Arthur Miller breaks into the dialogue of the play to offer readers historical commentary and character analyses. Of Reverend Hale, Miller writes, Mr. Hale is nearing forty, a tight-skinned, eager-eyed intellectual. This is a beloved errand for him; on being called here to ascertain witchcraft he felt the pride of the specialist whose unique knowledge has at last been publicly called for. . .Coming into Salem now, Reverend Hale conceives of himself much as a young doctor on his first call. His painfully acquired armory of symptoms, catchwords, and diagnostic procedures are now to be put to use at last. The road from Beverly is unusually busy this morning, and he has passed a hundred rumors that make him smile at the ignorance of the yeomanry in this most precise science. . . His goal is light, goodness and its preservation, and he knows the exaltation of the blessed whose intelligence, sharpened by minute examinations of enormous tracts, is finally called upon to face what may be a bloody fight with the Fiend himself. From this description, we can conclude that Hale is. . . a) Well-meaning, though a bit arrogant and naïve b) Full of himself and malicious c) Kind and with no motive but to help others d) Tricky and conniving, though with a show of goodness 10. If you wanted to prove that Hale is not as quick to leap to conclusions of witchcraft as many others in this play, which piece of evidence would be the strongest support for this claim? a) Hale: What victory would the Devil have to win a soul already bad? It is the best the Devil wants, and who is better than the minister? b) Hale: You cannot evade me, Abigail. Did your cousin drink any of the brew in that kettle? c) Hale: You are God’s instrument put in our hands to discover the Devil’s agents among us. You are selected, Tituba, you are chosen to help us cleanse our village. d) Hale: I must tell you all that I shall not proceed unless you are prepared to believe me if I should find no bruises of hell upon her. 11. Giles Corey, who Miller describes as a “crank and a nuisance, but withal a deeply innocent and brave man,” reveals his innocence by underestimating the potential danger in the current situation. What question does he ask of Reverend Hale that a wiser man might have avoided? a) He asks what it means if a man finds himself unable to pray. b) He asks what it means if a man’s wife reads strange books. c) He asks what it means if a man doesn’t go to church for seven months. d) He asks what it means if someone’s children all die. 12. Facing increasing pressure to confess her part in the “witching” of Betty Parris, Abigail lashes out at the easiest person she can target. On whom does she initially lay the blame for the shenanigans in the forest? a) Goody Good b) Goody Osburn c) Betty d) Tituba Act II 13. In Act I, we see John Proctor and Abigail interact with one another. This scene contrasts with the opening scene of Act II in which John and Elizabeth interact. Which of the following best describes this contrast? a) John and Abigail’s relationship is full of heat, passion, and anger, while John and Elizabeth’s relationship is strained and cold. b) John and Abigail clearly despise one another, despite their affair, while John and Elizabeth clearly love one another. c) John and Abigail’s relationship is obviously strained by their feelings of guilt, while John and Elizabeth’s relationship is harmonious. d) John and Abigail clearly love one another, while John and Elizabeth are stuck in a loveless marriage. 14. Coming back from the court, Mary Warren is tired and emotional; she weeps and talks about the court “with horror.” Which of the following best explain her reactions? a) She is finally realizing the serious consequences of the girls’ actions and feels compelled to justify her guilt. b) She is worried that she will be found out as a fraud and exposed. c) She is afraid of Abigail, knowing that one misstep could have her, Mary, accused in court as well d) She is overwhelmed by all of the attention, being a girl who usually doesn’t enjoy much attention. 15. Goody Good has escaped hanging by claiming that she is pregnant, despite being nearly 60 years old. Mary assures the Proctors that the doctor has checked Goody Good and confirmed the pregnancy. We can infer from this that . . . a) The doctor is not very knowledgeable or skilled b) The doctor doesn’t believe in the trials c) The judges are fools d) The judges are superstitious 16. When Reverend Hale asks John to demonstrate his piety by reciting the commandments, John forgets which one? a) Thou shalt not steal b) Thou shalt keep the Sabbath holy c) Thou shalt honor thy parents d) Thou shalt not commit adultery 17. What does his forgetÝng this particular commandment tell us about John? a) That he feels guilty for not attending church often b) That he is worried about the Putnam’s encroaching on his property c) That he doesn’t think of his family members—specifically his wife—enough d) That he feels guilty for breaking his marriage vows 18. In addition to not attending service often enough, what is the other spot of “softness” the Reverend Hale sees in John Proctor’s church record? a) He hasn’t paid his tithes or offerings b) He hasn’t had his child baptized c) He has committed adultery d) He begrudges the reverend his gold candlesticks 19. Both Elizabeth and Reverend Hale have asked John to go into town and testify against Abigail, telling the court that she confessed to him that there was no real witchcraft. John is hesitant, however. Why? What might be his motives for not wanting to speak out? SELECT ALL THAT APPLY a) He still feels a fondness for Abigail and doesn’t want to condemn her. b) He is afraid that his affair with Abigail will be revealed. c) He is afraid of the court and the possibility that he, too, could be accused. d) He is hoping that Abby may accuse some of his own enemies. 20. If you wanted to prove that Reverend Hale is beginning to doubt the authenticity of the trials, which evidence would be the strongest support for this claim? a) Elizabeth: Mr. Hale. (He turns). I do think you are suspecting me somewhat? Are you not? Hale: (obviously disturbed—and evasive). Goody Proctor, I do not judge you. My duty is to add what I may to the godly wisdom of the court. b) Proctor: There are them that will swear to anything before they’ll hang; have you never thought of that? Hale: I have. I—I have indeed. (It is his own suspicion, but he resists it). c) Hale: (pleading). Nurse, though our hearts break, we cannot flinch; these are new times, sir. There is a misty plot afoot so subtle we should be criminal to cling to old respects and ancient friendships. I have seen too many frightful proofs in court. d) Proctor: Damn the Deputy Governor! Out of my house! Hale: Now Proctor, Proctor! Proctor: Get y’gone with them! You are a broken minister. Hale: Proctor, if she is innocent, the court. . . 21. When Cheever discovers Elizabeth’s poppet and quizzes Mary Warren about it, Mary claims that Abigail was sitÝng beside her in court while she made the doll. From this, we can infer that. . . a) Abby saw Mary make the doll and leave the needle in the stomach and thereby came up with a plan to implicate Elizabeth b) Mary made the doll under Abby’s instructions in order to help her accuse Elizabeth c) Mary is trying to get Abby in trouble by implying that Abby has faked the witchcraft accusations. d) Elizabeth has used the doll to hurt Abigail and gotten Mary to lie for her. 22. Elizabeth lets her temper show a little in this scene, despite the bad timing and potentially dire consequences. What does she say that might later come to haunt her? a) She says that Abigail should be “ripped out of the world.” b) She says that Cheever and Herrick are “going to hell.” c) She says that the court is full of “frauds and beggars.” d) She says that the girls are “cruel children” who “need beating.” 23. In one of the famous speeches of the play, John Proctor says, If she is innocent! Why do you never wonder if Parris be innocent, or Abigail? Is the accuser always holy now? Were they born this morning as clean as God’s fingers? I’ll tell you what’s walking Salem—vengeance is walking Salem. We are what we always were in Salem, but now the little crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom, and common vengeance writes the law! Proctor is pointing out that it is not just witches that might have cruel motives. What might accusers gain from crying witchcraft against their neighbors according to Proctor? a) b) c) d) They gain attention and fame They get revenge They gain power They get control and possibly money 24. We end Act II with the following aside from John Proctor: Now Hell and Heaven grapple on our backs, and all our old pretense is ripped away—. . . It is a providence, and no great change; we are only what we always were, but naked now. Aye, naked! And the wind, God’s icy wind, will blow! Which of the following is the best paraphrase of this aside? a) b) c) d) We have to make a clear choice between doing good or doing evil to one another. We, the members of this community, haven’t changed—we are the same people we’ve always been—but this trial has made us see each other’s weaknesses more clearly. And now those weaknesses will be further exposed by the adversity that is coming. Some in this congregation are going to Heaven and some to Hell, and the thing we have to decide now is which people are which. We have to strip off everyone’s disguises and allow the cold light of God’s justice to reveal the liars! There are always those who choose Heaven over Hell. The key thing we are now faced with is deciding which path God wants us to choose. One path leads to Heaven, the other to Hell, and the only way to tell is to open ourselves to the cold and painful wisdom of the court. Life is not as simple as just assigning actions to Heaven or to Hell. Indeed, if we are pretending that we are all innocent and going to heaven, then we are the real sinners. And it’s high time that God stripped away those disguises and revealed us for the liars we are! Act III 25. Danforth warns Mary and John, “before I decide whether I shall hear you or not, it is my duty to tell you this. We burn a hot fire here; it melts down all concealment.” What does this statement mean in the immediate context of the court? a) That like a fire that reveals and burns away the impurities in metal, this court will reveal the lies and impurities in their evidence. b) That like a fire that melts down metal, the court melts down people’s resistance. c) That like the fires of hell, the court’s “fires” will burn those who are guilty of witchcraft. d) That like a fire burns wood, so will all who lie to the court be burned. 26. Proctor is startled when Danforth tells him that Elizabeth is pregnant. Despite his surprise, he does not doubt her, for, he claims, “if she say she is pregnant, then she must be! That woman will never lie.” Later in the scene, Proctor reiterates “In her life, sir, she have never lied. There are them that cannot sing, and them that cannot weep—my wife cannot lie.” What is the purpose of this repetition that Elizabeth doesn’t lie? a) It provides dramatic irony: the audience knows that she has already lied, but John does not. b) It creates a sense of tension: savvy audiences know that absolute statements such as these usually signal that the opposite is going to happen. c) It builds the symbolism of the crucible: the fire of the court, audiences believe, will burn away all lies. d) It is an example of verbal irony: Proctor doesn’t really mean that Elizabeth can’t lie. Instead, he means the exact opposite. 27. Danforth gives several lengthy speeches defending the work of the court and arguing, in a seemingly logical fashion, that the work they do is legitimate. However, he employs a number of logical fallacies. Which of the following statements from Danforth is an example of a classical logical fallacy? a) “Mr. Hale, you surely do not doubt my justice.” b) “You must understand, sir, that a person is either with this court or he must be counted against it, there be no road between.” c) “No uncorrupted man may fear this court!” d) “You tell me that you sat in my court, callously lying, when you knew that people would hang by your evidence?” 28. Giles seems to be surprisingly skilled in matters of the law. Why? a) He studied at university b) His father was a lawyer c) He has read many books d) He has been many times in court 29. If you were going to argue that Giles, though a bit of a clown, is nevertheless noble and courageous, which of the following pieces of evidence would you cite to support this claim? a) “I am never put-upon; I know my rights.” b) “A fart on Thomas Putnam!” c) “I will not give you no name. . .I stand mute.” d) “I never had a wife that be so taken with books, and I thought to find the cause of it.” 30. When Hale suggests calling lawyers to argue the case, Danforth rejects the suggestion. After all, he says, there is nothing for a lawyer to argue. The only two witnesses to witchcraft are the witch and the victim, and the witch will always lie, therefore, “we must rely upon the victims.” What faulty assumption underlies his logic? a) His assumption that victims do not lie b) His assumption that there are not other witnesses to witchcraft c) His assumption that witchcraft is always a bad thing d) His assumption that Salem has been hiding witches for years 31. After Danforth receives Mary’s deposition, he says to her “Has Mr. Proctor threatened you for this deposition?” She says that he has not. But Danforth asks her twice more, and then again at the end of the scene. What can we infer from this about Danforth? a) That he wants her confession to be a lie, so the court can continue, and he won’t look a fool b) That he genuinely wants to hear the truth and is worried Proctor has threatened her c) That he is very thorough, extensively testing all evidence brought before him d) That he hates Proctor and wants to make a fool of him 32. Hathorne lays a trap for Mary by asking her to faint. When she confesses that she cannot, the stage directions tell us that he looks at her “with a gleam of victory.” What does this tell us about Hathorne? a) He has an earnest desire for truth. b) He does not believe in witchcraft. c) He enjoys manipulating people. d) He thinks Proctor has threatened Mary. 33. During his confession, John Proctor repeats a number of phrases that Elizabeth had said to him earlier in the play, including this one: “I lusted, and there is a promise in such sweat.” What does this signal about John’s character at this point in the play? a) He is a dynamic character in the process of learning and growing, coming to accept his guilt and the role he has played in this tragedy. b) He is a dynamic character who has not yet made any changes, but this signals that learning and growth are coming in the next act. c) He is a static character—he doesn’t make any change or growth despite the wisdom of his wife. d) He is a flat character who doesn’t add to the ideas or themes of the play but only parrots the words of other characters. 34. When Danforth asks Elizabeth about John and Abigail’s affair, why does she lie? a) She doesn’t want to get Abigail in trouble. b) She doesn’t want to be responsible for anymore accusations of witchcraft. c) She wasn’t really sure whether or not they’d truly had an affair. d) She doesn’t want to endanger John. 35. If you wanted to argue that Mary’s capitulation, her “caving in,” at the end of Act III was foreseeable, what piece of evidence would you offer from earlier in the play to support this claim? a) Mercy: “Oh, you’re a great one for lookin’, aren’t you Mary Warren? What a grand peeping courage you have!” b) Mary: “Abby, she’s going to die! It’s a sin to conjure!” c) Mary: “I’ll not be ordered to bed no more, Mr. Proctor! I am eighteen and a woman, however single!” d) Proctor: “What work you do! It’s strange work for a Christian girl to hang old women!” 36. At the end of the play, John Proctor delivers another powerful speech: A fire, a fire is burning! I hear the boot of Lucifer, I see his filthy face! And it is my face, and yours, Danforth! For them that quail to bring men out of ignorance, as I have quailed, and as you quail now when you know in all your black hearts that this be fraud—God damns our kind especially, and we will burn, we will burn together! Which of the following is the best summary of John’s meaning? a) Proctor argues that Danforth’s ignorance is leading Salem to hell and that he, John Proctor, is the only one who can see the truth. b) Proctor believes that the whole town of Salem is closing their eyes to the truth of Abigail’s lies and that God will burn the town as a result. c) Proctor argues that Danforth is allowing the ignorant children to control him and that Danforth’s stupidity will damn them all. d) Proctor believes that both he and Danforth have lacked the courage to do what they know is right, and that as a result, they will both go to hell. Act IV 37. If you wanted to argue that perhaps Reverend Parris is beginning to feel some guilt for his part in this tragedy, which piece of evidence would you offer? a) b) c) d) His confession that Abigail has fled with his money His allowing Danforth to call him “brainless” without argument His offering John a drink of cider His contempt toward Judge Hathorne 38. Why has Danforth brought Elizabeth out of prison? a) b) c) d) He plans to execute her today. He wants to give her a chance to say goodbye to her husband. He want her to convince John to confess He wants her to watch the executions so she’ll be scared. 39. Danforth accuses Elizabeth of being unfeeling, saying “Be there no wifely tenderness within you? He will die with the sunrise. . . .Are you stone?” Which of the following characteristics might best explain why Elizabeth shows Danforth no emotion? a) b) c) d) She is proud and doesn’t want to give him the satisfaction of showing emotion. She is genuinely unfeeling and doesn’t really love her husband much. She is vindictive and is glad that John will pay the price for his adultery. She is too trusting and doesn’t really believe they will hang John. 40. Hale says to Elizabeth, “Let you not mistake your duty as I mistook my own. I came into this village like a bridegroom to his beloved, bearing gifts of high religion; they very crowns of holy law I brought, and what I touched with my bright confidence, it died; and where I turned the eye of my great faith, blood flowed up. Beware, Goody Proctor—cleave to no faith when faith brings blood.” From this speech, we can conclude that Hale. . . a) b) c) d) Has lost some of his faith Still believes in witchcraft Now believes that Puritanism is evil Believes that Goody Proctor is evil 41. Which of the following statements best describes John Proctor’s motives when he first tells Elizabeth he wants to confess? a) b) c) d) He is afraid of dying and wants to confess and live. He has had a conversion in prison and wants to forsake the devil and come to God. He feels like a hypocrite already and thinks confessing won’t make him any worse. He is afraid of what the townsfolk will think of him if he doesn’t confess. 42. We learn in this scene that Giles Corey has been executed via what means? a) b) c) d) He was hanged He was shot He was starved He was pressed 43. Why does Judge Danforth want Proctor to confess so badly? Other people have already confessed—why does Danforth want a confession specifically from Proctor? a) b) c) d) He hates Proctor and wants to humiliate him. He recognizes that Proctor is respectable and has influence over others. He thinks that if Proctor confesses, Elizabeth will, too. He thinks that if Proctor confesses, Hale will rejoin the court. 44. When Rebecca Nurse is brought in to hear John’s confession, the stage directions tell us that John “turns his face to the wall” and speaks, “through his teeth, his face turned from [her].” What do these stage directions tell us about how John is feeling at this moment? a) b) c) d) He is ashamed to be lying in front of Rebecca He is angry at Rebecca for not confessing He is hoping Rebecca won’t see him He is distracted and not really thinking about Rebecca at all 45. How does Rebecca Nurse respond when she hears John confess? a) b) c) d) She is glad and thinks he has made the right decision She is angry and condemns him to hell She is worried about Elizabeth and the baby She is sad and asks God to have mercy on John’s soul 46. John is willing to confess, but what is he NOT willing to do? a) b) c) d) Sign over his property and home to the court Vow to go to church regularly Sign a written confession Leave Salem 47. Danforth says, “Is that document a lie? If it is a lie, I will not accept it! . . . I will not deal in lies, Mister!” Why is this claim and example of verbal irony? a) Because Danforth is, himself, a big liar b) Because neither John nor Elizabeth ever lie c) Because the confession is not a lie, but the strictest truth d) Because Danforth has been dealing in lies all along 48. How does Elizabeth feel about John’s decision to be hanged rather than confess? a) b) c) d) She is angry, knowing that her children will be left fatherless. She is cold and indifferent, as unfeeling as always. She is proud of his courage and his goodness. She is worried that he won’t go through with it. 49. When asked why Arthur Miller wrote The Crucible part of his reply mused, “Turning to Salem was like looking into a petri dish, an embalmed stasis with its principal moving forces caught in stillness. One had to wonder what the human imagination fed on that could inspire neighbours and old friends to emerge overnight as furies secretly bent on the torture and destruction of Christians. More than a political metaphor, more than a moral tale, The Crucible, as it developed over more than a year, became the awesome evidence of the power of human imagination inflamed, the poetry of suggestion, and the tragedy of heroic resistance to a society possessed to the point of ruin.” If you wanted to simplify Miller’s analogy, which would be the best way to paraphrase it? a. Studying what happened in Salem was like observing how viruses start rapidly and lead to furious ruin. b. Studying what happened in Salem was like observing a petri dish where live organisms tell a story. c. Studying what happened in Salem was like observing how rumors spread as fast as viruses. d. Studying what happened in Salem was like observing a petri dish full of Christians. 50. When asked why Arthur Miller wrote The Crucible part of his reply mused, “Turning to Salem was like looking into a petri dish, an embalmed stasis with its principal moving forces caught in stillness. One had to wonder what the human imagination fed on that could inspire neighbours and old friends to emerge overnight as furies secretly bent on the torture and destruction of Christians. More than a political metaphor, more than a moral tale, The Crucible, as it developed over more than a year, became the awesome evidence of the power of human imagination inflamed, the poetry of suggestion, and the tragedy of heroic resistance to a society possessed to the point of ruin.” Which is the best way to explain how Miller viewed the theme of The Crucible. a. Miller viewed The Crucible as a political metaphor to represents what happened to him during the Red Scare. b. Miller viewed The Crucible as a political metaphor and moral tale about the tragedy of witch hunts. c. Miller viewed The Crucible as evidence of what can happen when a society allows itself to become paranoid to the point of ruin. d. Miller viewed The Crucible as evidence of what can happen when a society’s imagination is so inflamed that they become afraid of things unseen.