The Salem witch trials were a classic case of mass hysteria. The people of Salem believed all the lies that they were telling themselves. They pretty much just covered up lies with more lies, and everybody believed them because strange things were supposedly happening to people. Everybody was panicking that they were going go to be the next ones accused. The whole town was in hysteria. When Abigail gets stabbed in the belly with a needle, nobody thought she could have done it herself. Everybody thought it was because of the popet. When Hale says "This is a strange time. No man may longer doubt the powers of the dark and are gathered in monsterous attack upon this village. There is to much evidence to now deny it. You will agree sir?" He is concerned and he knows something isn't right. When Cheever says,"Tis hard proof.—I find here a poppet Goody Proctor keeps. I have found it, sir. And in the belly of the poppet a needle stuck. I tell you true, Proctor, I never warranted to see such proof of Hell, and I bid you obstruct me not, for I…", he doesnt even consider it a lie. The people of Salem are in a fright, and the witch trials messed with a lot of people.
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I agree with you about the tows mass hysteria.
ReplyDeleteI found your quotes interesting and very relevent.
Besides Abigail being stabbed, what other strange things have happened??
Mary Warren has supposedly been choked by spirits.
DeleteAustin, I agree that the fear of persecution caused hysteria. I also think that people "supposedly" thought strange things were happening. They became so wrapped up in the lies and accusations that their reality was warped into believing the idea of constant and persistent witchcraft. Well done.
ReplyDeleteyour quotes show very good examples of hysteria. they blend in with the conversation. Why did you choose this point of view for hysteria?
ReplyDeleteI thought it was an easy point of view to understand.
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