Fear is a common human emotion. However, people respond to it in different ways. This response is not always the best and can result in tragedy. During various instances in history has fear led people to do things later are regretted. From the Salem witch trials, to McCarthyism to even modern political witch trials has fear played a big role in.
John Proctor is a good man who displays the characteristics of a hero and could be seen as one for giving his life for his friends. The first impressive characteristic of John Proctor is his bravery. Speaking out against the “afflicted” girls in the way he did could cause serious question of him as a person. From the court’s standpoint John could be seen as directly opposing the court, which would have him jailed, or could even have him be accused of witchcraft. Also, he would have had to have known that Abigail Williams would have immediately accused him of being a witch once he spoke out against them.
These event caused large amounts of discrimination that was depicted in the media because, many feared the unknown dangers they believed they would cause. Moreover, such ideas were usually from someone whom the general public trusted, a person of high power. For instance, the person could be of government authority that could easily manipulate the minds of others. Consequently, this posed a problem to humanity as manipulation could cause people to be conditioned into believing to metaphorically stay within a box, and that anything outside of the box was seen as a threat or something unfamiliar. This idea became prominent during World War II and again after 9/11 due to terrorism, discrimination, propaganda and violence.
I want anything that breaks the monotony, subverts the perceived respectable order of things.” (Atwood 231). She agreed because she knew it was risky and she did not care because it seemed odd. This leads to her having fun breaking rules because she does not know where she is going with the Commander and likes odd surprises. Strict leadership can cause rebellious acts among the people of the totalitarian government, also the leader can commit rebellious acts too. The Republic of Gilead can relate to other governments as well.
It can cause the person being abuse to shadow themselves away from the world and be afraid for the same thing to keep happening to them. Lundy Bancroft once said, “The scars from mental cruelty can be as deep and long-lasting as wounds….In fact, even among women who have experienced violence from a partner, half or more report that the man’s emotional abuse is what is causing them the greatest
Without detailed analysis he believes in their words. He treats them as an infallible oracle, but he forgets that they represent the evil. Macbeth has never thought that they may deceive him by making him feel undefeated and safe which results in his demise. As Hecate has said the wrong feeling of security can be pernicious. Macbeth acts like a child, he is very naive.
Adopting religious codes can leave for no “wiggle room” in morally fuzzy areas - like accusations of witchcraft. In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, living in a strict, religious society had life or death consequences for many people. Prior to the witch trials, Salem is a pious town with equally pious citizens. However, with the excitement that the trials cause, the people prove themselves to be as religious and respectable as a tax collector would have been. Most of the high-status members of
In the situation of a hysteria, there always are people who don’t participate in it. They will often stand out for justice, and point of the ridiculousness of the hysteria. Reverend Hale and Giles Corey are people who behave in that way. At first, Hale’s opinion toward the whole incident of witch hunt is same as the people in Salem. However, as the whole incident becomes out of control, he realizes something is wrong.
The sheer ruthlessness of the punishments discourage any sort of crime as they will scare the citizens into never breaking the law in fear of the consequences. The document “Crime and Punishment in the Elizabethan Era” also points out that the law was flexible and could be applied differently based on the situation. When a person was convicted of treason, they were not always executed immediately. Some were inhumanely tortured for more information to see if they were working with others, despite the obvious lack of morality in doing this, it worked. However, on the other hand, the Elizabethan Law did have at least some moral sense to it as people some were spared from torture, and even execution in certain circumstances.
Innocent lives are ruined due to false accusations and in our efforts to always want to be right, we are letting criminals get away. When Mr. Cannon was telling his story, I believe he didn't mention anything about the police reading him his rights and that they just attacked him out of nowhere. I understand that the police are supposed to interrogate all suspects, but the laws regarding the proper protocols are rarely followed. I often times feel that, racial bias factors in interrogation tactics and that certain suspects are treated better than others. For instance, John Burge in my head is considered a criminal, even though he was convicted, he still is not facing the consequences that Mr. Cannon has to deal with as being an African American person in the community.