Social Control and the Salem Witch Trials
... The British friendly societies fostered a social environment in which their members would be able to have a release from their daily routine. ... If one or a few individuals had sole control over the insurance fund, fraudulent members could embezzle and figure that nobody will notice. ... However, without some sort of social control or peer pressure, it is likely to assume that more deviation from the pursuit of the collective good would exist. This notion is exhibited through Arthur Miller’s portrayal of the Salem witch trials in the movie “The Crucible.” For our analysis we will consider Salem, Massachusetts, a community that exhibited group solidarity. ... Salem had a carpenter, blacksmith, minister, sheriff, several farmers, and servants, all who worked together to produce a collective good for the community; a comfortable standard of living. ... There was no middle ground, no logical though process, the girls had created hysteria in Salem. ... Eventually, once Abigail realized these trials could not persist indefinitely she decided to flee Salem and deviate from yet another group. During her rampage in Salem, Abigail’s relentless pursuit of her own individual end transformed the culture of the community. ... When faced with the ultimate question, death with dignity or life with disgrace, Proctor chose the course of action that would eliminate these problems for Salem in the future. ... Having prior experience in uncovering witchcraft, Reverend Hale was initially called in to assess the situation and if the need existed, eradicate the devil from Salem. ... In an effort to comply with his obligations to Salem, Reverend Hale urged Judge Danforth to see beyond the girls’ deviant actions. He knew John Proctor was telling the truth, he knew Abigail was lying when she alleged Elizabeth Proctor’s spirit stabbed a needle in her abdomen, he knew the situation in Salem was out of control. ... Relating John Proctor’s and Reverend Hale’s actions to Hechter’s reasoning, one would conclude that as the Salem witch trials progressed the extensiveness of their obligations to the community increased. ... In order for Salem to remain solvent in the years to come, free from the grips of the deviants who preached witchcraft, John Proctor needed to stand up against Judge Danforth and set an example. To John Proctor, his strong personal ties within the group, the cost of moving away from Salem, and the value he placed on his family’s good name, were stronger than life itself. To Reverend Hale, the pursuit to benefit the collective welfare of Salem, his original mission, was of the utmost importance.