Book Review: The Crucible

Human society fears what they do not understand. When we observe something as unfamiliar we perceive it as a threat. This is what occurred in Salem, as dozens of people were hanged after being convicted of witchcraft. During Miller's era Americans were persecuted by their own countrymen for believing in Communism. America feared Communism would take over the world just as the inhabitants of Salem thought evil spirits would overwhelm their mind, souls and eventually Salem itself.
Fear can quickly lead to hysteria, paranoia and anxiety, in turn eliminating rational thought. Hysteria is a 'snowball' effect, as it gathers speed it collects more individuals and they begin to feed from each other, only amplifying the hysteria. When Betty wakes up she calls out hysterically "I saw Martha Bellows with the Devil!" Abigail sees this as a chance to escape her punishment for dancing in the woods and joins Betty in accusing townsfolk, "I saw Goody Sibber with the Devil!" The other girls quickly follow in making accusations. Fear and hysteria quickly overruns Salem, people were afraid of witches and being accused as one.
Even today people fear the unknown and hidden nature of terrorists. The media hyped up their power and existence for several months following the Twin Tower attacks, contributing to the hysteria. Just as people in Salem were scared about evil engulfing their community, the world was afraid of terrorist attacks, the governments responded by increasing security and developing anti-terrorist response units, in the hope of reducing hysteria and slowing the 'snowball'