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Theme Of Fear In The Crucible

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Theme Of Fear In The Crucible
Fear is a topic frequently addressed in plays novels. Fear may cause an individual to try to gain control over other people. Some use fear as an advantage over others.Throughout the play The Crucible, the author develops the theme that the fear of the unknown causes hysteria.This theme is seen throughout the novel and is used mainly by Abigail Williams who gains power during the Salem witch trials of 1692. She uses the fear factor to protect herself and to manipulate others.Other factors of Fear are shown when we see “Fear of the Devil” theme in the novel and how everyone fears that the devil takes control of theme and they fear that the devil is the cause of all this witchcraft.Throughout the play The Crucible, the author develops the theme …show more content…
She claimed that “[She] saw Goody Osburn with the devil and [she] saw Bridget Bishop with the devil.(48)” This accusation clearly demonstrates the theme “fear of the devil” since it shows how Abigail is so afraid of the devil and being known for witch that she starts to blame others for being a witch. Thus, also depicting power control and power over the other girls. Next, the author again explores this quote by when Reverend Hale talks about different kinds of superstitions… “ We cannot look too superstitious in this. The devil is precise, the marks of his presence are definite as stone(35).” In this quote Revv. Hale is essentially describing how people are believing too much in non-sense and are fearing over the devil. Revv. Hale also says that with how precise the devil is he is the definitive one. Thus, proving another reason how the theme ‘’fear of the devil’’ goes to show how people can experience paranoia under circumstances and in relation to the devil. Early in Act 1 and 2 Miller began to develop a theme about how the ‘’ fear of the devil’’ causes people to react illogically and how this might cause people to experience hysteria and paranoia because of the fear
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