Adrian Jaimes, Norah Gallimore Instructor Gann ENG III 8 April 2024 Salem Witch Trials Argumentative Essay The 1692 Salem witch trials, which were characterized by panic, terror, and a terrible death toll, continue to be a troubling episode in American history (Weller). Many opinions exist concerning the reasons and causes of these incidents, but one strong theory contends that the girls may have staged their symptoms and allegations in order to feed the witch hunt that followed. Ann Putnam Jr., who testified in twenty-one cases, apologized in her public confession in 1706, proving the girls were faking it (Caporael, 11). The afflicted girls sought power, sought to evade punishment, and desired financial or personal gain. Priority should be …show more content…
In the play's setting, the affected girls were found to have committed wrongdoings for which they would later face consequences. They are therefore phony because they sought to prevent this. They were also seen to be young, with ages ranging from 9 to 20, meaning lying was typically seen more frequently. Following up, when Rebecca nurse examined Betty, who was nine, she also claimed to be going through a phase by saying, “I have seen them all through silly seasons” (Miller, 1273). Ergot poisoning can induce symptoms such as hallucinations, confusion, and numbness, which could be mistaken for being stabbed or bitten (Caporael 10). Ergot would cause hallucinations that would look like sprites. If the girls thought that somebody was a witch and they were hysterical, they would freak out when facing them; that is what history does to people. The two combined would cause the paranoia observed in Salem in 1692. The witch trials on society and the economy. People who held substantial property or who were perceived as a danger to the status quo were frequently the targets of accusations of …show more content…
The possibility that the afflicted girls may have faked their symptoms and accusations raises troubling questions about the nature of justice, power, and prejudice in society. By acknowledging this perspective, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complexities and injustices that fueled one of the darkest chapters in American history. The girls sought power, wanted to avoid punishment, and desired personal gain. Works Cited “Ann Putnam’s Confession.” Ann Putnam’s Confession (1706), pages.uoregon.edu/mjdennis/courses/wk3_putnam.htm. Accessed 5 Apr. 2024. The. Caporael, Linda R. “Ergotism: Is Satan Loosed in Salem?” Science, vol. 78, no. 1, pp. 113- 192, no. 2 -. 4234, 1976, pp. 113-134. 21–26. The syllables of the syllables. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/1741715. Accessed 4 Apr. 2024. The. Free Speech Center - Free Speech Center. “Salem Witch Trials - the Free Speech Center.” The Free Speech Center, 19 Feb. 2024,
Rosenthal’s Salem Story was written as a way to break the common assumptions made by the General public. Rosenthal writes as a way to share his findings that the story goes past hat we think we know about the Salem Witch Trials. Salem Story: Reading the Witch Trials 1692 will aid my future research paper by adding a broad explanation of the Salem Witch Trials. This book goes into factual details of the events as well as the opinion and references from professionals on the topic. Rosenthal wrote Salem Story
Castillo Juan Mr. Hartshorn English III CP 31 March 2014 Salem Witch Trials The Salem witch trials, an event in colonial Massachusetts between 1692-1693 occurred in present day Danvers, Massachusetts, once known as Salem Village. This paper will validate Salem’s witch trials having a very immense influence on the U.S. today; such as the trial’s religious, philosophical, political, and ethical impact on our nation today. Life in Salem Village was harsh, farming was difficult, an epidemic of smallpox
Tituba is rarely at the center of attention when the Salem Witch trials are in discussion. In fact, the only time she seems to ever be mentioned is to state that she is the link between witchcraft and the adolescent girls of Salem (Breslaw. Xx). Witchcraft is defined, by Webster’s dictionary, as the “magical things that are done by witches: the use of magical powers obtained especially from evil spirits”. Although words are known to change throughout the years, witchcraft, for the most part, has
ergot poisoning. This theory was introduced by Linnda Caporael who conceptualized it while researching a term paper for her American History class. (Salem Witch Trials: The Fungus Theory ) Her subject choice would be influenced by a play she had just seen, Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible”. Looking over the symptoms and her research she would link the hallucinations suffered by the girls in Salem, to similar case in France, where the victim suffered from a known case of ergot poisoning. Since ergot poisoning
The Crucible: Self Betrayal This research paper will examine how the theme in Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible, shows how “...betrayal of the self no less than of others” (Bigsby xi), is connected to both McCarthyism in the 1950’s and the Salem witch trials in the 1690’s. The Puritans were a group that had suffered religious persecution in the Old World and came to America to establish their own religion in a place where they would be free of any type of persecution. Because of the personal persecution
including politics, people and weather. Politics and people are widely impacted by religion. Religion is the primary cause of most wars in countries across the world. Many historians believe America was formed on the basis of religion. In this research paper, I will illustrate the impact religion had on American History to 1877. Specifically, it will examine: 1) Major events impacting traditional religious beliefs in America, 2) Religious disputes which impacted land development, and 3) The impact
winter of 1692 two young girls became inexplicably ill and started having fits of convulsion, screaming, and hallucinations. Unable to find any medical reason for their condition the village doctor declared that there must be supernatural forces of witchcraft at work. This began an outbreak of hysteria that would result in the arrest of over one hundred-fifty people and execution of twenty women and men. The madness continued for over four months. The notorious witch trials of Salem, Massachusetts
capital crimes.Leviticus 20:27 (“A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death”).could be seen by many as a motto. For those that experienced the salem witch trials and have heard of them it would seem unimaginable that there was ever normality prior to. Salem was and is made up of mostly puritans and those believing in a more simple way of existing. there was also the belief that no sin should go unpunished making for a very complex “rulebook”. Very
himself his house." By 350 B.C., the Celts had developed a priestly class called the Druids. Around the third century, AD in the pre-Christian Roman Empire, punishment by the State against witches who brought about another per... ... middle of paper ... ...urt of Appeals ruled that Wicca is a religion deserving First Amendment protection. The Internal Revenue Service has recognized Wicca as a legal religion, and given a tax-exempt status. Laurie Cabot founded the Witches’ League for Public
disturbing witch trials, and countless executions and hangings. Witchcraft was once and still can be a very controversial topic, as it challenges other’s religions and beliefs and is against Christianity. Back when the Church was the main source of authority and guidance, reactions to witchcraft were particularly strong and heated, as there are even bible quotes ordering the instant death of any witch or wizard. Concern was commonplace, especially considering the Salem Witchcraft Trials, since children
reflects the widespread attitude towards Puritans, yet Professor Deborah L. Madsen, in her paper, “Hawthorne’s Puritans: From Fact to Fiction” claims that this monolithic portrayal of Puritanism results in a ‘powerful misrepresentation of the actual puritans [and] of the dynamics of Puritan theology’ (Madsen 1999, p 510) . The present response is a critical review of Madsen’s paper. The title of the paper is appropriate. While ‘Hawthorne’s Puritans’ implies a difference between actual Puritans and
beginning of time, there has always been violence. From the death of Abel by his brother Cain in the Bible, to the mighty gladiator stadiums in Rome ruled by Alexander the Great, to the horrible accusations of the Salem Witch Trials in 1692, to what I will talk about specifically in this position paper, violence on the famous family fun center, the television. To start off, John Logie Baird invented the mechanical television in 1926. The soul purpose of the mechanical television was to be able to see images