The Witch in All of Us

The intro to The Crucible was very well written.  Within the first few paragraphs, as Salem is being described, it is said, "To the European world the whole province was a barbaric frontier inhabited by a sect of fanatics...".  To me this is a great line of foreshadowing.  The people of Salem have a strong social identity of being hard working, religious followers.  They try to represent themselves as the best of the best, fine people.  However, when accusations begin, the town collapses on itself.  In a truly barbaric way, it becomes a battle of words and belief.  It is later written: "The witch-hunt was not, however, a mere repression.  It was also, and as importantly, a long overdue opportunity for everyone so inclined to express publicly his guilt and sins, under the cover of accusations against the victims.".  The population of Salem revealed their true identities during this time.  Built-up feelings, not expressed due to their deep beliefs, could finally run free towards anyone.  It is as if these people saw it improper to show feelings.  We all know so well though, this cannot lead to anything positive.  The Salem Witch Trials were a devastating time in history that proved what a mindset and crowd mentality can do.