In english class this week we have been talking in depth about themes. I find them interesting, because they help me relate literature to reality. The Crucible contains many themes that are relative to our lives. One in particular brought up some thought for me. The most interesting theme I find is the mob mentality and how it clouds our way of thinking.
This theme brought up many things in history, in particular I have been thinking about Nazi Germany. Adolph Hitler used his manipulative ways to brainwash an entire nation that was in distress. With his rallies, he would energize the common man to make them feel as if they were part of a just cause. This was a prime example of how mob mentality can influence people's thinking. It is interesting to look at history, literature, and our lives and see how close that they parallel each other.
I even see this with people that I know. I believe that in life there are leaders, and there are followers. Many kids become like the people that they associate themselves with. I have seen many friends fall into problems because of the people that the kids that they hang out with, it is an unfortunate part of life. Social cliques exist because of this life theme. I am glad that we are learning about this English this year and am excited to continue learning about themes and see how they relate to the world.
Mob mentality is extremely scary and weird. Just the thought of something as casual as being in a group of people can alter the thinking process is spooky. You are right that it is unfortunate that cliques exist but we are fortunate enough to live in a school that the cliques are not as powerful and as segregated. Themes really do tie books down to reality.
ReplyDeleteI think Hitler was a jerk. Yeah, he was smart for coming up with a plan to scare all of Germany into following him, but it wasn't the right thing to do...clearly. It's so messed up how people could ever commit genocide. So, basically, I hate Hitler and think he was a very bad person, like most people may think.
ReplyDeleteI think it's people's need for acceptance that leads them to follow what others believe. It's sad and, sometimes, really dangerous how easily people can be manipulated, even without knowing what exactly they're being guided to do. Desperate people are the easiest to control, not necessarily because they are easily convinced that something is right, but because they can be bribed. Maybe that's unrelated, but you really got me thinking. Nice job!
ReplyDeleteYes, this is an extremely thought provoking topic. I agree with Andrew that mob mentality can be one of the scariest and most powerful forces at work in the world of human interactions. It is also what a great deal of our economy relies on: new trends that start with certain key people planting the seeds in other people's minds. I would urge you to pick up Malcolm Gladwell's The Tipping Point if you are interested in some of the interesting applications of mob mentality.
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