Effects Of Salem Witch Trials In The Crucible

When thinking of witchcraft, one’s mind immediately goes to a woman with green skin, moles, and a pointy nose. Witches stand around a cauldron with their wild hair, summoning spirits or fly around terrorizing those around them. However, as we find out in Arthur Miller’s 1952 play, The Crucible, the accused were anything but. The victims accused of witchcraft within The Crucible were targeted for not fitting the social norms of the time, breaking Puritan code, or posing a threat to someone else. In our world today, we can still see the effects of the Salem Witch trials through accusing those who are on the margins of deeds we don’t want to take responsibility for. The first victims to be accused within the Salem Witch Trials were those who didn’t fit the social norms of society at the time. From the beginning, Abigail Williams has power over those who are below her. Not only does she possess this power, she lords it over those who are seen as valueless in a society built for the rich and for men. When placed in the hot seat after being discovered dancing in the woods, Abigail throws the weakest person she can find under the bus: Tituba. Tituba is an African-American house slave to Reverend Parris, so naturally, she’s an easy target to accuse. Not only is Tituba a different race, she is also a woman in a society where women aren’t respected and speaks another language. These three factors make her an easy target. Instead of claiming responsibility for her own actions, Abigail