The Low Moral Standards and Extreme Susceptibility of Young Salemite Women
Stella Goss
Everybody wants to fit in-- it’s simply human nature. But some people take it too far to be one of the pack. The Crucible is a play by Arthur Miller about the seventeenth-century witch trials of Salem, Massachusetts, where accusations and a theme of witchcraft drove a town to executions. Abigail Williams and other The Crucible characters claim to see the devil and participate in witchcraft because of peer pressure and the desire to fit in, which many Salemites value above their own morals.
Mary Warren is so compelled by peer pressure that she is willing to go against her morals and play a role in their deaths. Danforth asks, “Then you tell me you sat in my court, callously lying, when you knew that people would hang by your evidence? She does not answer. Answer me!” (p.94). Mary Warren responds, “I did, sir.” (p.94). Mary Warren feels pressured to participate in the witch trials since most other young women in Salem are doing so and she wants to fit in. She is aware of the deception and lying the girls are participating in, and comes forward with admission. Danforth gathers the girls and informs them of the damning consequences of lying, saying, “...Your friend, Mary Warren, has given us a deposition. In which she swears that she never saw familiar spirits, apparitions, nor any manifestations of the Devil. She claims as well that none of you have seen these things either… the law and Bible damn all bearers of false witness… Is there any truth in this?” (p.95). Abigail rises and says “No, sir.” (p.95), consciously ignoring the values of honesty that are paramount to the town.
Abigail fits in-- and she knows it. She is so comfortable with her social standing that she is able to make absurd accusations without fear of consequence or lack of support from the group. Arthur Miller writes, “Abigail, with a weird, wild, chilling cry, screams up to the ceiling.” (p.106), and Abigail says “You will not! Begone! Begone, I say!” (p.106), as she cries to a bird in the rafters she claims to be possessed by Mary Warren. After Abigail is accused of having an affair with John Proctor, she is afraid of losing her place with the group and becoming a social outcast, so she uses her already-established position to deflect the blame and attention towards Mary Warren by accusing her of possessing a bird, knowing the other girls will follow her lead. As a young woman in Salem, Abigail is supposed to honor her morals, including honesty, a value of much importance to the Puritans of seventeenth-century Salem, but instead, she prioritizes her reputation and the support of other young Salemite women.
In the eyes of other young girls in Salem, Massachusetts, Abigail is somewhat of a heroine and public figure, so when she begins to writhe and scream, it’s no surprise that other girls soon follow suit. Abigail has just screamed up to the rafters when Danforth says, “‘What is it, child?’ But Abigail, pointing with fear, is now raising up her frightened eyes, her awed face, toward the ceiling-- the girls are doing the same… She is transfixed-- with all the girls, she is whimpering open-mouthed, agape at the ceiling. ‘Girls! Why do you--?’” (pg.106). After Abigail absurdly accuses Mary Warren of possessing a bird, other girls join Abigail in the multitude of odd behavior, including screaming, writhing, and repeating Mary Warren. The girls want to be seen positively by Abigail and do not want to be the only one not going along, knowing that if they do not follow along, they will be singled out and accused or suspected of witchcraft as an opposing entity.
Peer pressure and the desire to fit in are the reason Abigail Williams and other The Crucible characters claim to see and participate in witchcraft. It’s human nature to want to fit in, but The Crucible provides instances of people taking it too far, including participating in the death sentences of innocent people, conciously ignoring one’s morals, and using peer pressure and social standing to manipulate others. It’s important to consider your own values before following others who may intentionally lead you away from your own sense of right and towards wrong, harmful, or immoral things. Peer pressure is an easy trap for anyone to fall into, and The Crucible shows us just how dangerous it can really be.
