Alda 11D English A How do the witch trials empower individuals who were previously powerless?

The Puritan community inaugurated in Salem in 17th century coexists with a strict, patriarchal hierarchy in which power is not fairly available to all. The church sits pompously on top whilst the others dwell on their laborious works, young girls especially being on the bottom of the social ladder. The young female population of Salem, most of them is involved with witchcraft later, is subordinate in society as they are servants for Salem households. Moreover, Arthur Miller shows that in times of hysteria and uncertainty, whereas lies and deceits are deemed as truths, the social structure easily crumbles. The weak and vulnerable are then exposed to power and a way in the system that they have only ever dreamed of. The robust effect of sudden power is instantly seen as Tituba surrenders to Reverend Paris. As she confesses to witchcraft, she is not seen as a sinner but instead as having a pious connection to God; having the capability to disparate the witches and the holy. This gives Tituba authority over the preeminent white society like never before as she names names of Sarah Good and Sarah Osborne. Furthermore, she declares her loathing of Reverend Parris in context of Devils command; signifying her with more spiritual power. She now stands above every other citizen at the top of the hierarchy, as she was deemed as closest to God rather than a mere black slave with no spiritual significance in the Puritan society. Witnessing Titubas path to salvation, Abigail quickly seizes the opportunity to a higher hierarchy. She can now not only protect herself, but she can also take down any member of the community by her words. Early on the play, Abigail assures her power of the girls; Let either of you breathe a word, or the edge of a word, about the other things, and I will come to you in the black of some terrible night and I will bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder you. (Act I). Immediately, Abigail gains power over the young girls by using their fear to her own advantage and manipulative threats. According to the information in the play, Abigail was never a killer or an abusive girl, yet in the midst of the paranoia she assumes power as she seeks protection and self defense. Consecutively, the other girls chime in to a mass hysteria, as they believe that they are herding to safety. At that instance, a sense of innate empowerment is triggered within the group of girls. This newfound power becomes more

evident as the play progresses; the young girls become court officials, large amount of accusations is drawn and other formerly influential figures are convicted. Among those are Rebbeca Nurse, Giles Corey, Elizabeth Proctor and John Proctor. Ironically, those are the people who previously counseled with Parris and Hale to eradicate witchcraft. Soon enough, others came to a realization that the adults are powerless to the children, as Proctor declares, I'll tell you what's walking Salemvengeance is walking Salem. We are what we always were in Salem, but now the little crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom, and common vengeance writes the law! (Act II). Furthermore, Abigailwhose main motivation is lust for John Proctor utilizes this power to terminate Elizabeth from John. Whereas Elizabeth previously shuns Abigail publicly as she fires her, she now turns the situations around by accusing Elizabeth of such maleficent crime of witchcraft in front of everyone. Abigail, who is a servant, is seen as superior than Elizabeth who is a respected public figure. She clarifies such as she states that Elizabeth fires her due to Elizabeths hatred, however she did not mention its cause: Abigails affair with John. Her ability to accuse anyone and to mold the judges reasoning through deceits gives her highest theocracy in Salem. Abigail even dares to threaten Danforth by her godly power to justify her claims, "Let you beware, Mr. Danforth. Think you to be so mighty that the power of Hell may not turn your wits?" (Act III). At this point, the abuse of Abigails power is evident as she elaborately schemes Elizabeth with heavy lies and pretense. A drastic case of change in the social order is shown in Act II as Mary Warren stands up to oppose Proctor and his orders. In the beginning of the play, particularly in Act II, Mary Warren is shown as weak, anxious, obedient young lady who act in accordance with Proctor. John Proctor shows his authority by pressuring her aggressively to come to the court to confess the truth. However, she decides to defy Proctors authority, her own employer, and accuses John Proctor of witchcraft instead. This occurrence exposes how Mary responds to her recently discovered power: the power that enables her as a servant to put her employers life on jeopardy. As Elizabeth foresees it, she describes Mary Warren, as It is a mouse no more. (Act II). The quote implies that Mary evolves from fearful little girl to someone bold and of strong authority due to her power in the court and society. The witchcraft trials bring about a way out of the lowly order of powerless young girls and servants in the Puritan society as it gives characters such as Tituba, Abigail and Mary Warren honors of having direct pious connection with God that overpowers other Godly representatives in Salem. The young girls and the black slave are seen as the closest link to God hence they hold eminence in the theocratic court, and sits well on top of the social hierarchy. In

spite of that, later on their power backfired as it feeds to the egos of Abigail and the girls and they became abusive with it. The chain of events shows that when exposed to power, the powerless tends to abuse it out of selfishness and fear of the unknown especially during times of chaos.