The Crucible - Fear (Human Behavior)

In “The Crucible” fear was what led to hypocrisy and hysteria among other things. In the Salem Witch Trials, fear had some horrible effects. People were hung based on unstable evidence and many lives were ruined. Even in today’s society, fear affects us in negative ways. Fear can cause people to act in ways that they never would otherwise. It is a human trait that can lead to hysteria and rash acts, as is shown in “The Crucible”.
Fear is a feeling of anxiety and agitation caused by the presence or feeling of danger. For example, many people fear the unknown or are scared when they feel that they are in danger. Little children are scared of monsters under their beds or ghosts in their closets. Fear itself can be a helpful emotion. If a person in trouble, that fear can make that person act and may save them from the imminent danger. However, fear can also be a harmful thing. In “The Crucible”, the people of Salem feared the unknown, and this sparked the mass hysteria and t...