It's What's on the Inside that Counts

Children breaking out in sweats as they lay sick in bed. Their bodies, contorted in pain, are hot with fever. They scream and thrash at invisible beings that haunt them in their nightmares. In 17th century Salem, Massachusetts, many young girls were experiencing these symptoms, and the townspeople were left bewildered. Witchcraft was determined as the cause, and witchcraft craft trials ensued. In order to prevent any other children from being hurt by the malevolent witches hiding in the town, Thomas Putnam, whose only child, Ruth, was ill, insisted upon having witch trials. After suffering many hardships in his life and getting through insecurities and emotional scarring, Thomas Putnam found a reprieve from his misfortunes in the witch trials.

Thomas Putnam was a wealthy member of Salem society, but even though he was financially stable, Putnam was never emotionally secure. Putnam and his father were never close to each other. He felt unloved by his father because, in his will, Putnam's father did not leave Putnam and his stepbrother an equal amount of property and money. Instead, his father gave more of his estate to Putnam's stepbrother even though Putnam was the eldest son. This act left Putnam feeling as if he were inferior to his brother, and it hurt his self-esteem. To add to his insecurity the townspeople did not respect Putnam. He was a prominent and wealthy man in town, and that probably caused some jealousy. However, Putnam did not deserve respect just because of his prosperity. He was educated and accomplished. He fought the Pequot Indians at Narragansett, and helped protect his town. But Putnam felt betrayed by the town. The position of minister was highly regarded in Salem, and Putnam's brother-in-law, Bayley, wa...

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... when she said, “This is no silly season, Rebecca. My Ruth is bewildered, Rebecca; she cannot eat”(27). Putnam felt the need to avenge his family because the Nurse family was part of the faction that prevented Putnam's brother-in-law from becoming minister.

Thomas Putnam started and ended the witchcraft trials. He persuaded Parris to publicly announce that witchcraft was being practiced in Salem. He accused people of witchcraft, and made the trials drag along. He ended the trials by accusing a dignified and well respected member of society, Rebecca Nurse, of witchcraft. After such a pious woman was accused, the town began fearing that anybody could be accused of witchcraft. The hysteria that shrouded the thought's of Salem's citizens and caused the witch trails was dispelled, and the town had to contemplate whether or not any of the accused were actually witches.