"The Crucible": themes of persecution and hysteria

  The Theme of Persecution 

The Puritan society had a strict policy of adherence to the provisions of the social order. The focus on the tenets of the social order meant that people lacked the room for personal freedom. Anybody who attempted to act or think independently was seen as an imminent threat to the society and therefore had to either be eliminated or stopped. The strict adherence to the social order also meant that people were exposed to personal grievances. An attack on individuality was depicted by the witch trials that were carried out in the course of the story. The people who were mainly accused of witchcraft were those whose integrity and privacy was a priority at the expense of the community’s will. Therefore, the legal cases formed a platform where people could express their anger and grievances towards the accused ‘’you must understand, sir, that a person is either with this court or he must be counted against it, there be no road between’’ ( Miller, 1996). The trials also provided individuals like Putnam the opportunity to air their bitterness by accusing those whom they had resented for a long time. 

The theme of persecution can also be depicted by the intolerance that is meted upon the people represented in the society. In ‘The Crucible’ the society is built on the foundations of religion and moral laws where the status of a person’s soul and sin are a matter of public concern. The society does not provide a mechanism through which an individual can deviate from the social norms. Therefore, a person whose private life fails to conform to the established moral laws represents a threat to the public good, God and the religion ’’I like it not that Mr. Parris should lay his hands upon my baby. I see no light of God in that man. I will not conceal it’’ ( Miller, 1996). Therefore, the witch trials are one of the ways the society expresses intolerance. 

Application of the Ideas to the Contemporary Society 

The two most important themes that are highlighted in ‘The Crucible' are persecution and hysteria. Persecution is described as ill-treatment and hostility that is meted on an individual based on their beliefs or stance on matters of public concern. In the book, individuals are persecuted and tried for holding personal philosophies and beliefs that do not conform to the general social order. In equal measures, the court is used as a tool to settle old scores with people who had aggrieved others in the society. The contemporary society is not free from such forms of persecution, judgments, and intolerance. In many cultures, people are required to follow certain guidelines that dictate how they worship, marry, and how they pursue various social institutions. If such individuals act in a manner that violates the laid down principles, they are regarded as outcasts and actions were taken against them. 

Political persecution is another important matter in the contemporary society. In certain democracies especially where political parties are used, politicians are required to strictly adhere to the principles of the political party however oppressive or ineffective they might be. If such politicians attempt to go against these provisions, they might suffer in the hands of the electorate hence not being reelected in the previously held positions. Religious persecution is also a matter that has been there since the 19 th century. The Jehovah’s Witness members have been subjected to persecution over their strong religious sentiments that do not recognize earthly laws. Other religious groups today face persecution such as the atheists for their belief that God does not exist. The courts have also been used as a tool to vilify individuals who do not follow the required principles or guidelines as depicted in the book. 

Reference 

Miller, A. (1996). The Crucible: Revised Edition . Penguin.