What does the Crucible say about Human Nature?

Question

What does the Crucible reveal about Human Nature?

Answer 1

First, The Crucible was a thinly-veiled commentary on the McCarthy era anti-Communist/Homosexual movement, I assume that much is clear in studying it. Second, and on to your question, it says a few things about human nature (though not in a State of Nature sense). That people seem to have a tendency to conform. We would rather compromise our principles than be killed. We like having an issue to rally around. And, of course, hysteria will lose momentum, we will see more clearly and we will recognize the folly of our actions given enough time to distance ourselves. Finally, that we may look back and condescendingly laugh at those who were so ignorant (WE would never be so foolish!) at the very same moment we are engaged in the same actions under a different name.

Answer 2

If you mean the story about the Salem witchcraft deal, I would think that people tend to fear the unknown, they jump to conclusions, and are easily manipulated with fear.