Question

Which quote from "The Crucible" best exemplifies mass hysteria, as defined in this only

a) HALE: "No man may longer doubt the powers of the dark are gathered in monous n village. There is too much evidence now to deny it"
b) PROCTOR: Why do you never wonder if Parris be innocent, or Abigail? Is the accuser alays her not Were they born this morning as clean as God's fingers? I'll tell you what's walking Salem - vengeor walking Salem.
c) DANFORTH: In an ordinary crime, how does one defend the accused? One calls up witnesses to p innocence. But witchcraft is ipso facto, on its face and by its nature, an invisible crime, is it not? There who may possibly be witness to it?
d) MARY WARREN: -I cannot tell you how [I saw spirits), but I did. I-I heard the other girts screaming, and you, Your Honor, you seemed to believe them, and I-It were only sport in the beginning. sir, but then the whole world cried spirits, spirits, and I-I promise you, Mr. Danforth, I only thought I saw them but I did not."

Answer 1

The quote from "The Crucible" that best exemplifies mass hysteria is option (d) with Mary Warren's confession, highlighting how the collective fear and pressure of the Salem Witch Trials led to irrational accusations and panic.

Step-by-step explanation:

The quote from "The Crucible" that best exemplifies mass hysteria is option (d): MARY WARREN: "-I cannot tell you how [I saw spirits], but I did. I-I heard the other girls screaming, and you, Your Honor, you seemed to believe them, and I-It were only sport in the beginning, sir, but then the whole world cried spirits, spirits, and I-I promise you, Mr. Danforth, I only thought I saw them but I did not."

This quote captures the essence of mass hysteria as Mary Warren conveys how she got caught up in the contagious wave of fear and paranoia that befell the Salem community during the witch trials. Her admission of being influenced by others' reactions and the pressure to conform illustrates the vulnerability of individuals to collective panic, a core feature of mass hysteria.

The Salem Witch Trials were a period of mass hysteria where superstition and fear of witchcraft led to the persecution and execution of many people, predominantly women. The chaos was fueled by the combination of existing Puritan belief systems, the influence of ministers like Cotton Mather, and a series of accusations that spiraled out of control. It demonstrates how societal pressures and deep-seated beliefs can lead to a widespread irrational frenzy.