Fear often leads us to make rash, harmful mistakes. For
example, it was fear of getting in trouble for the dancing in the woods that prompted
the girls to start accusing people. It was fear of being whipped or hanged that
prompted Tituba to "confess" to being a witch and name other women who had joined her.
It was fear of the girls turning on her and accusing her of being a witch that led Mary
Warren to rescind her testimony against them and accuse John Proctor of being a "devil's
man." It was fear of the unknown that led Giles Corey to first talk to Hales about his
wife reading "strange books," a confession that would lead her down the road to being
arrested. It was fear of Abby's fierce nature and threats that led the girls to keep up
their charade of accusations and abuse at the hands of supposed witches. It was fear of
criticism and being rejected by his parisioners that prompted Parris to go along with
the judges so much, even aiding them in arresting and accusing people. It was fear of
the unknown medical reasons that took her babies that led Mrs. Putnam to seek out
answers in the underworld, and ultimately accuse Goody Nurse of murder. It was fear of
being revealed as a lecher that kept John Proctor from fighting against Abby and the
courts for so long. It was fear of ruining her and her husband's reputation that led to
Elizabeth Proctor lying about her husband's affair.
As you
can see, fear leads people to lie, harm others, and seek answers in unorthodox places.
If you focus on how fear is the root of many unfortunate actions, and give the examples
I listed above, I think that you'll be well on your way to a good essay! Good
luck!
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