Guzak 1

Alexander Guzak

Mrs. Peabody

English

22 October 2018

The Twisted Minds of The Crucible

Mass hysteria can lead to many tragic events. Witchcraft is one of the most awful

examples of mass hysteria history has ever seen. In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible one such

example of witchcraft is taken to the extremes. Mass hysteria can occur for many different

reasons, but the most common is people with mental illnesses. The Salem witch trials had many

causes, but some of the most common were malignant narcissism, pathological jealousy, and

neurotic guilt.

Malignant narcissism is a mental disorder that causes a person to love themselves above

all else, and in the case of Salem, is furthered by Abigail taking advantage of those who fell

victim to the hysteria. This disorder can lead to being “stricken with anger, anxiety, depression,

or shame" (Freeman). These are all symptoms that can be used by an individual to benefit

themselves. As stated, this disease can cause a person to take advantage of others, “Abigail

Williams told you it had naught to do with witchcraft!” (Miller 68). Abigail Williams is using

her position to benefit herself by manipulating the judge into thinking she’s telling the truth.

Although this disorder is common in cases of mass hysteria, others also come into play.

Another disorder from this hysteria is pathological jealousy which is furthered by the

pessimistic thoughts of Mrs. Putnam. Pathological jealousy can cause a person to “hang on to the

delirious idea that someone did something bad without caring if there is any evidence to support

this conclusion” (Ramey). This means that even if there is no reason other than a grudge, Mrs.
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Putnam believes that someone else did something. Mrss. Putnam’s babies were not murdered,

but people in the town still say: “for the marvelous and supernatural murder of Goody Putnam's

babies” (Miller 71). Mrs. Putnam believed that another woman in the town killed her babies that

died in Mrs. Putnam’s womb. This irrational thought was just because this townswoman had

many children that lived. One of the most common outcomes of jealousy is guilt.

In addition to pathological jealousy, neurotic guilt is also common in this time and is

furthered by the radical actions in result of a single action of John Proctor. This disorder can

cause “a long-term tendency to be in a negative or anxious emotional state" (Felman). This can

be caused by doing something that you come to regret for an extended period. An example of

this is “Proctor, hesitating, and with deep hatred for himself...” (Miller 80). John Proctor is

feeling this guilt because he lusted for another woman while his wife was sick. This act caused

him to believe the trials and his wife being put on trial is his fault. A traumatic event or an

outrageous act of anger can play a key part when it comes to pathological jealousy.

Finally, although there were many reasons for the witch trials of Salem, the mental

disorders of the townspeople played the biggest part. Self-loving accusers who were trying to

save themselves, and the ones feeling guilt for causing the trials to happen. The town was greatly

changed after these trials. The Salem Witch trials were a tragic event, caused by hysteria

spreading prom home to home. The trials ate away at the sanity of those who took part. Arthur

Miller wants us to read about the trials, so people know how much your actions can affect other

people.
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Works Cited

Felman, Adam. “Neuroses and Neuroticism: Differences, Types, and Treatment.” Medical News

Today, MediLexicon International, 9 Jan. 2018,

www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/246608.php.

Freeman, Rhonda. “How to Tell You're Dealing with a Malignant Narcissist.” Psychology

Today, Sussex Publishers,

www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/neurosagacity/201702/how-tell-youre-dealing-

malignant-narcissist.

Miller, Arthur, and C. J. Partridge. The Crucible. Blackwell, 1971.

Ramey, Shaydon. “Pathological Jealousy: When Jealousy Goes to a Dangerous Extreme.”

Exploring Your Mind, Exploring Your Mind, 5 Nov. 2016,

exploringyourmind.com/pathological-jealousy-jealousy-goes-dangerous-extreme/.