The Crucible?

Question

For my English class I have to take a poll so here is my question.

Who, in your opinion, is to blame for the deaths of those innocent Puritans who died during the witch hunt years and why?

I would like to say thanks for everyones help in advance

Answer 1

You can't really blame anyone. Salem was going through a hard time, and it was 17th century.
You might be able to "point the blame" on the "afflicted girls" themselves. Many theories state that they were simply "bored" with life in Salem, so decided to have some fun, which turned into a massive witch-hunt hysteria.

Answer 2

It's been pointed out that many "witches" hunted at this time were women who had somehow inherited property, either from husbands or fathers. The property of wtiches was seized by the courts, so perhaps they had an interest in finding people guilty of witchcraft.

If we accept that a desire to eliminate women who owned property in their own right was a major motive behind the witch hunts, we could say sexists were to blame, though this is a term that had no meaning in 17th century New England.

Answer 3

While Abigail starts the problem by accusing Elizabeth Proctor, it is the hyesteria caused by the arrival of Reverend John Hale that causes the deaths. As much as I liked him as a character, I've got to blame Rev. John Hale.

Answer 4

I would blame abigail because she is the one that got everything started in the first place. She tried everything just to get with john proctor.

Answer 5

The people who judged them and decided their penalty; I guess they had already forgotten they once were also persecuted for their beliefs and had to leave England for this.

Answer 6

ABIGAIL!!!!!! down with her!! but its ok, because she runs away and becomes a prostitute.