The Crucible+Hysteria

Back in the year of 1692, hysteria in Salem broke out.

The Salem Witch Trials was a time in history when lies, greediness, and teenage angst was very much alive.

In the play, and the movie The Crucible, a big group of teenage girls were getting themselves into very deep water one night in the woods with a Barabados native slave, Tituba. "Conjuring up spirits" was what Revered Parris suspected of them. The girls were being silly, teenage girls and were playing around and dancing in the woods. Abigal, the main character "sacrifices" the chicken, and all hell breaks loose.

Betty is suspected to have the devil inside of her, and is trying to communicate with everyone. Well, I think most of this is to get attention. Betty always followed in Abigal's footsteps, and she finally has a time to "shine" or whatever she thinks will happen. She created so much hysteria by being non communicative, and a Reverend from another town comes; Reverend Hale.

John Proctor and Elizabeth Proctor have a lot of play in the story as well. John Proctor basically makes Abigail crazy. Abigail literally would like to see Elizabeth dead.
When I reflect on every character, I find many traces of pride, greediness, lust, attention craving, and just BAD things.
I honestly do not think they "conjured up the devil." They were silly teenage girls, being teenage girls.

Hysteria broke out a bushel of times in the past. People were not as educated as they are now, so opinions fueled actions, instead of education and facts fueling action.

The Salem Witch Trials are another time in history where I shake my head and sigh.
"We have GOT to do better!"

Hysteria. makes. people. CRAZY.