Individual vs. society

A society is made up of many different individuals who will stand by their own beliefs. An individual is a single human being that is distant from a group or class. Individuals are usually narrow minded, only believing in what they think is right. Many times; however, society overpowers an individual's thoughts just because there are more people in a society. In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, society vs. the individual plays a major role during the Salem witch trials. When the antagonist, Abigail Williams starts a dilemma in the community and ultimately ruins peoples lives, and futures, many of the characters have to decide which side they should be on, even it means that they're going against their Puritan religion. John Proctor is set on revealing Abigail's real reason of creating these trials, even if his reputation is at stake. Even though the individual and society tug at each other throughout this play, society prevails over the individual in the end because the beliefs of the individuals cannot over-power the stronger voices of the public. A society consists of many people with many ideas, while an individual is only a single person. This makes it easy for Abigail Williams to pursue her accusations of witch craft with the other girls, Tituba, Mary, Ruth, and Betty, along side. As Abigail is accused of drinking a charm to kill Goody Proctor, she begins to blame it on Tituba for forcing her do it every night. In the beginning of the book, no one wants to believe in the devil because of their Puritan religion, until Harris comes into town and declares the truth about witch craft. The lies from Abigail, Ruth, Mary, Betty and Tituba begin to grow bigger, and bigger. "I danced for the Devil; I saw him; I wrote in his book; I go back to Jesus; I kiss His hand. I saw Sarah Good with the Devil…" (48), says Abigail as Tituba reveals that the Devil has come upon her as well. Society now believes in witch craft because of vengeful teenage girls, who are accusing