The Salem witch hunts and trials mark a horrid chapter of American History. The deaths weren’t necessarily in the hundreds – with nineteen people having been hanged, three pressed to death, and approximately thirteen left in prison to die. Many died by being wrongfully accused, others because they were pressured into admitting a crime, and others because of social stigma. This episode was one of mass hysteria that swallowed a whole town and gave the people an excuse to point fingers at those they couldn’t stand or at those who didn’t live according to the established standards. While the existence of witches in any type of society is a far-fetched idea, it can be assumed that the practicing witches from 1692 were insidious enough to stay hidden and pass on their knowledge before they were caught. Based on this assumption, I claim that modern witches and their traditions come from the surviving, practicing witches of the Salem witch hunts of 1692. (160)
Back in 1692 in the United States (and in 1541 in England) witches were seen as mainly women who did not worship the established god, who sought an alternate way of finding the truth about how all human beings are connected. Those who believe in God think we’re all connected as brothers and sisters; witches – or wiccans – believe we’re all connected via energies.
Wicca is a religion with Celtic origins that has passed through Italy, Scotland, Ireland, and England. When English settlers came to the United States, they brought more than their clothing styles, traditions, and use of the language, but they also brought their religious beliefs. English witch hunts started in 1541 and lasted until 1547, and those who managed to not get caught passed on their knowledge and brought it with them to the New World. This would explain why the Salem witch hunts occurred more than one hundred years later. After this second holocaust was over, the survivors passed down their knowledge through oral history, traditions, and rituals.
Today, these traditions and rituals have been severely contorted and are thought to be obscure and wicked. There are many organized groups who meet regularly and practice “the craft,” much to the dislike of those with conservative views. The significance of this issue lies in the fact that there are a myriad of misconceptions about Wicca being the study of the devil or of all things bad and obscure, when in reality there is much more depth to it. Wicca, in its Celtic origins, was innately good and a way to help those interested in an alternative to prayer. Those interested should not be discouraged because of misleading opinions and prejudices. (282)
Sources
- Ewen, L’Estrange C. Witch Hunting and Witch Trials: The Indictments for Witchcraft from the Records of 1373 Assizes held for the Home Circuit A.D. 1559-1736. London: Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner & Co., LTD. 1929
- Garces, Maria Dolores. Telephone interview. October 26, 2010.
- Garces, Maria Dolores. Piedras y Platas Damasco. Blogger, August 26, 2010. Web. October 26, 2010
- Mather, Cotton. Memorable Providences Relating to Witchcrafts and Possessions. Boston: R.P. 1689
- Miller, Arthur. The Crucible. New York, N.Y.: 1976
- Rosenthal, Bernal. Salem Story: Reading the Witch Trials of 1692. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. 1993
The Salem Witch Hunts are a very intriguing topic, and it's interesting that they can be tied to society today. I've never thought of that before, that it may have affected the way we live in modern times.
ReplyDeleteThe second to last sentence of your first paragraph is misleading, because it seems to say that the "witches" of the 17th century really were evil people. Is this what you mean to say, or do you mean that the other people at the time thought they were evil?
I think you should explain in your proposal more fully what exactly Wicca is. You mention that it is of celtic origin, and an alternative to prayer, but you don't explain what it's basis is. You could also explain who practices wicca, what kind of people are attracted to it.
I'm a bit confused about your thesis too (that seems to be the prevailing thing. My thesis isn't that great either haha). You talk about the witch hunts, but in your explanatory/after thought/paragraph thingies you talk about Wicca. Is that what the Salem Witches were? If they were (or we think they were) than thats our connection, but based on your explanatory/after thought/paragraph thingies it seems like the focus is more on Wicca. Which, to me, is a bit more modern and a bit more fun, I've been told I can't (or shouldn't?) focus on the history so much as the modern stuff, so Wicca is the more modern connection with the witch hunts?
ReplyDeleteDid all of that make sense? Haha, sorry for my confusion Vanessa. Your topic is super interesting. (For the record I like the historical aspect. I just don't know if that's what we're supposed to focus on...)
I like how you connect people of the past to people in the present. It seems like a great way to bring your project together.
ReplyDeleteBut I agree with Josh. You mention Wicca after you mention your thesis, so I'm a bit confused about how you want to organize your project.
You should incorporate it more, and say exactly what 'witches' are.
I agree with Molly that more background on Wicca would be beneficial. I think your thesis in itself is strong. After reading your proposal I immediately thought of Arthur Miller's The Crucible, and then noticed it in your sources - well done.
ReplyDeleteDR. EFF:
ReplyDeleteTitle could be peppier.
A lot of generalities need to be fleshed out. You need to name the movements you will be looking at in your thesis statement, otherwise vague.
You don’t even mention the contemporary movies by the cartload. And what about the Goths and other dark communities that could not be more current and likely right there on campus?
Sources:
Only seven, lacking required categories. You need to get more current. Surely there is a great deal about these movements in the USA and elsewhere.
DR. KING:
Delve deeper into the cultural significance in your thesis. What does it mean that 17th century witches have influences contemporary youth culture? Is this influence a positive or a negative force? Can you find a local manifestation of what you are talking about? Think locally. Look for recent sources. It’s an interesting topic, but you need a more specific focus.
I'm confused because even though the Salem trials involved witches, I don't think the entire body of practicing witches were in Salem- there were tons of people who believed in witch craft / pagan practices throughout America and England. Maybe re-work your thesis a little?
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you've got a great foundation. I really like this topic, It would be cool to look at the Wiccan(sp?) based movies from the last few decades.
ReplyDeleteAlan says that witches and wiccans are two distinct things that should not be confused with each other and you need to address this difference in your intro.
ReplyDeleteAlso, be sure to give more background on the religion regarding its customs and such.
First off I think your topic is really interesting, witch hunts always intrigues society as can be seen my current movies and books with this influence. However, I was a little confused with the thesis, I wasn't sure what you meant by modern witches- would that be the Wicca?
ReplyDeleteDefinitely clarify what you meant by witches, as Gagan said above. Also, are you planning on proving your thesis by comparing the practices of Wicca to those of the Salem witches? I'd also like to point out that during the Salem witch trials, many of the women persecuted were not actually witches.
ReplyDeleteI am a bit confused on your topic. Wicca is neo-paganism, but were the salem witches actual wiccans? I had been under the impression that they were more puritan rebels than full-out wiccans.
ReplyDeleteI do like the topic though. I did a project on Neo-paganism in high school. Very interesting stuff.