In The Crucible, the obsession with purity and necessity to be a perfect, whole community becomes an ugly source of blame and possible death. Today's teenagers are much the same. Depending on the region, "normalcy" usually calls for being comfortable in one's own skin, being able to break the law without being caught, or having the same sexual orientation as everyone else. Where one would accuse someone of witchcraft in the play, one out a group of friends might start a rumor or talk the others into being against them. There aren't specific "rules" for the perfect normal teenager, but a lot of girls and boys find themselves going through misery just to look good for their peers.
Reverend Hale said, "What victory would the Devil have to win a soul already bad? It is the best the Devil wants..." (p. 186) And there is some truth to that; in most cases, the one being accused is the one who was supposed to be perfect. For example, the pretty girl friend is accused of being anorexic out of jealousy for her figure. The other friends begin to believe this, as anyone would - people are drawn to negative conclusions more easily than positive ones. In a puritan society, and today's society with puritan roots, a community as small and close as Salem will soon fall apart in attempt to be as perfect as their God.
