Mob Mentality in The Crucible

Condense to three paragraphs, cite quotes internally Act1, scene 2, page 13. Fix anything needed, have quotes to back up thesis.
PROMPT- how does mob mentality play a role in the play? Which characters are affected the most? Does anyone resist?

Mob Mentality in The Crucible

Mob mentality is the type of behavior that could characterize a group of people that act in a similar manner inspired by emotions and inspired by one or a few individuals. In fact, the term also means that individuals from a group would not do the things they do in the group if not for the organized action and decision-making process. Many characters in The Crucible display the feature of mob mentality. In fact, some characters use the said mentality to gain their personal goals and provide themselves with power over some citizens of Salem. Thus, the most influential people in Salem that rule the mob mentality are Abigail, Parris, and Thomas Putnam for pursuing their personal agendas, despite some people protesting the mass hysteria.
The character of Abigail is the most affected by mob mentality in the play, and she plays the role of the biggest influencer of the mass hysteria in the town. The aim of Abigail is to undermine the wife of John Proctor Elizabeth in his eyes because the girl is convinced of his love for her after their affair. However, in reality, there is no love, and Abigail tries to destroy the reputation of an innocent person. In fact, the turning point in the theme of mob mentality begins with accusations of witchcraft by Abigail, such as “I want to open myself! I saw Sarah Good with the Devil! I saw Goody Osborn with the Devil!” (Miller 42). With these accusations, Abigail begins the mass hysteria and the witch hunt in Salem, which Elizabeth and John are protesting and do not accept which makes them outcast in the city fulfilling the goal of Abigail in destroying the reputation of Elizabeth at the same time.
Further, the characters of Parris and Putnam are also the powerf ul enabler of the mob mentality. Moreover, as in the case of Abigail, these two men also try to pursue their personal goals. Reverend Parris joins witchcraft to secure his position as the minister in the town, and Putnam enables the one in the first place due to his dislike of Parris in the position and a grudge that his brother-in-law was rejected on the same position. First, Putnam frightens Parris with encouragement, such as “You are not undone! Let you take hold here. Wait for no one to charge, you declare it yourself. You have discovered witchcraft”, and later Parris accuses Proctor, who is against witch hunt with the line: “Such a Christian that will not come to church but once in a month!” (Miller, 14, 81). Thus, the two are also enablers of the mob mentality due to their personal agenda and the inner desire to act as the others do.
Finally, even though the mob mentality was powerful in the play, there were those who tried to resist it. The character of Hale and John Proctor are the most vivid examples. In the case of Hale, he was doubtful about the accusations, but later in the play, he was supporting the hysteria with the lines, such as “Excellency, I have signed seventy-two death warrants; I am a minister of the Lord” (Miller 89). Further, in the case of Proctor, who was against witchcraft and the claiming of Elizabeth having dealings with the Devil, he became the direct threat to mob mentality enablers. John perfectly describes the whole nature of such mentality with the line: “Why do you never wonder if Parris be innocent, or Abigail? Is the accuser always holy now? (Miller 70). Thus, John Proctor was the strongest opposition to the mob mentality of the play and wanted to be loyal to his wife.