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How Does Thomas Putnam Use Mass Hysteria In The Crucible

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Fear has become part of humanity as humans evolve over time. Since the beginning of time humans have always been feared of the unknown. This fear of the unknown has given humans a drive to progress to be better. In the past there have been societies that take wrongful advantage of this fear by creating mass hysteria by religious, political, and social activities such as the Puritans in Salem. The famous play The Crucible by Arthur Miller demonstrates this mass hysteria which has led people of Salem in wrongful accusations and death of twenty individual citizens of Salem for witchcraft. According to the play this outbreak of fear in Salem has caused delusions of fear which has turned into a mass hysteria, a mixture of anxiety. This mass hysteria has led them to use this in fear as a tool in personal gain; it is also used towards political gain, and revenge. …show more content…

Putnam is a wealthy land owner who is always blaming others for witchcraft, so he can acquire their land for cheap. The truth cannot be hidden for long; since Giles Corey a well known and respected farmer of Salem knew the truth about Putnam while he was trying to save his wife in court for witchcraft. Apparently Giles never spoke of a name in order to support his claim about Putnam. At the beginning of Act three Giles says “I have evidence for the court!…Thomas Putnam is out for land!”(84). While Giles has pointed his finger on Putnam for stealing lands of his neighbors, is asked to provide proof of this statement. At the end of Act three one can notice Giles is going to Judge Danforth directly about his accusations on

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