Fear and Mass Hysteria: Ghosts/Monsters

Reagan Baylee Campbell

October 1, 2012

Fear and Mass Hysteria: Ghosts and Monsters

The ideas of ghosts, and scary monsters have haunted humans of all ages for many years. We do not know if they are true, but people have brought themselves to believe there are such things as ghosts, or spirits of dead humans, and monsters. It is up to each individual whether they believe in these creatures, but it is a fact that fear has stemmed greatly off of the idea of these haunting ghosts or monsters. For example, over the years, the “ghost” has evolved into standing as a symbol of Halloween. People go to historic “haunted houses” because it is said that ghosts haunt or visit these places frequently. Humans are so fixated on these ghosts or monsters, that they use nightlights, get scared when they hear a creek from a hallway, or see a purple/green blur out of the corner of their eye. There has been some evidence collected that could argue ghosts are indeed real, but it is up to each individual to confirm that belief. Ghosts are said to be seen at graveyards, they are found in the background of pictures, and at old historical sites, or even peoples homes. People have become so fixated on this fear that they have made themselves believe ghosts are real, and ghosts are something to drive themselves crazy over and be scared of.

Reactions to this fear can be compared to the Salem Witch Trials because during this period, people became so obsessed and scared of the witches that they started to accuse and believe nearly everyone was a witch, when in actuality, nobody was. Similar to the idea of ghosts in todays time period, people have become so fixated on the idea ghosts will haunt you, and ghosts are scary, that it has driven us to the point where a ghost is the symbol of fear, and people are scared in their daily lives if they get the smallest inclination that a ghost may be lurking around.

I do not believe others are persecuted because of this fear. People are paranoid at the idea of ghosts, but nobody is killed or dies. Unlike the Salem Witch Trials, where if you were accused you would be put on trial, hung, or killed; the fear of ghosts is based on paranoia.