‘The Crucible’ is a play that took place in 1952 by the American playwright Arthur Miller. This story is melodramatic of the Salem witch trials that took place in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1692 and 1693.
People tend to make their decisions based on what others believe in. Having integrity is very important to protect our reputation and protect our values and morals. ‘The Crucible’ shows that those who favor integrity by admitting mistakes and refusing to lie just to save their own lives are good role models because they died knowing that they were being truthful with themselves and they weren’t letting anyone strip them away from their values. The meaning of integrity itself means telling the truth even if the truth is ugly. Some of the characters who were being tormented and accused of witchcraft started to believe that they were indeed guilty of these acts because they were under so much pressure. On the other hand, some characters had clear values and morals. These characters held onto the knowledge that they were innocent. These people were executed but they died with integrity.
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The theme of integrity is directly related to the problem of mob mentality depicted in the novel. The witchcraft scandal included Abigail and the girls dancing in the forest. Abigail drank chicken blood to harm and get rid of Elizabeth Proctor. An example of mob mentality is when Abigail threatens the girls to come into their rooms at night with a sharp object and kill them if they told the truth, she only wants the girls to say that they were dancing in the woods nothing more. Abigail has a forceful personality so she is determined to get them to listen and follow directions. Abigail uses a threatening tone as if she’s in authority and makes it very clear to the girls that she is capable of hurting 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” (Miller, 1952, pg.20).
Mob mentality is usually the influence that someone has on others. One person’s decision could influence the next person’s decision. Abigail was not going to confess about drinking chicken blood to get rid of Elizabeth Proctor, neither would the girls. Abigail has a skill that she has mastered throughout the play, manipulation is her best friend. She wants to seem innocent and protect her name. Even if that means threatening the girls so they would keep their mouths shut. Abigail will get her way by any means. It doesn’t matter who gets hurt in the end.
Nevertheless, I believe that we should never have mob mentality. We should always have clear values and be able to make responsible decisions based on those values. Mob mentality may not lead people to make the right decision. However, people who have clear values and who value integrity will make their own decision based on how they feel, their thoughts, and their values. They will not let others influence them.
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Mob Mentality in Arthur Miller’s ‘The Crucible’: Essay.
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