Crucible Reflection

The Crucible was a surprisingly enjoyable play to read in class; it is so much easier to read than Shakespeare. I found the trials particularly interesting. Its crazy to think that a devout religious society like the Puritans could murder people in the name of God. I think its ridiculous that they based the trials off of here-say and circumstantial evidence rather than hard proof when peoples lives were on the line. Abigail's word was treated like a prophet's and nothing could disprove it. For the judges to go along with her when she had all the motive in the world to get rid of the people that were on trial seems unreal and that it could never happen. Yet numerous other times mass hysteria has caused unjust things such as the HUAC trials in the 50s. Another interesting thing to think about is how people justify horrible things such as the witch trials with the will of God. Time and time again throughout history people promote their own selfish agenda under the guise of religion. Overall, the trials in the Crucible and the real Salem witch trials have a lesson to be learned that when mass hysteria is about conventional thinking goes out the window and the most radical things are held up as acceptable.