THE FORCE THAT DROVE SALEM In Peter Charles Hoffer's book, The Salem Witchcraft Trials: A Legal History, Hoffer's tell the story of the Salem Witchcraft Trials and how they came to be. His thesis stated that criminal justice in Salem was led by the belief of Puritanism and the fear of the Devil. He supports his thesis in may ways throughout this book. They are also some weaknesses ... God and the Devil. It suggests that the town of Salem was lead by previous history and fear of the unknown. They could not medically define why the girls were acting in the ways they were so they relied on past ...

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... of history that is trully sad. People died because of the crazy idea of witchcraft. It makes one wonder how a whole town could believe in such a crazy idea and actually kill people because of this crazy idea. To find the answer one only needs to look at the Puritan's beliefs and the way they lived their life. One aspect of ... Puritan life that contributed to the belief in supernatural things such as witchcraft was their lack of knowledge and technology. Life in Puritan New England was harsh. They had to deal with hard work, harsh weather ... where people were taught to conform and not ...

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... "hysterical". However, not everyone in Salem bonded himself or herself to the idea of witchcraft. A large amount of people saw witchcraft as blasphemy, unfeasible, and contrary to common sense. These people often did not speak out against witchcraft until it was too late. The men and women who supported the existence of devilish pastimes held much more clout in the courtroom, and could accuse anyone ... of being a witch. The mere idea of no one being safe struck fear into villagers" hearts. Such villagers who denied the existence of witchcraft had no power during this time period, and t...

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... others hadn't (Marcus, p13). Suddenly people seemed very paranoid and soon residents were placing blame on one another and accusing each other of witchcraft. In a fifteen month period between 1691 and 1692 nearly twelve dozen people were accused of witchcraft in or near Salem (Norton, p8). Although witch trials were not uncommon in Puritanical New England, none had reached such epidemic proportions ... townspeople who were more prominent than others. Villagers, such as the young girls, who envied others, would often accuse people because of a personal abhorrence. Eventually, those accu...

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... gang, Parris's daughter Betty falls into a long sleep-like coma. A crowd gathers in the Parris home while rumors of witchcraft spread around the town. Parris sent for Reverend Hale, an expert on witchcraft. He also questions Abigail Williams, the leader of the pack, about what took place in the forest. Abigail, who is Parris's niece and maid, admits to doing nothing but "dancing." This ... use against the court. I feel it is important to write plays, books and produce movies about these subjects because children should be educated about important factors that have happened throughout hi...

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... lifetime. His books include Memorable Providences, Relating to Witchcraft and Possessions and The Wonders of the Invisible World, a report of the testimony at the Salem witchcraft trials. Cotton Mather's style is usually characterized by his use of ornate, elegant language and his frequent use of allusions, which are short references to literary works or figures, places, or events from history, religion, or mythology. Cotton Mather believed that ... that his generation was falling away from the original vision and purpose of the Puritan immigrants to North America. And even though he wa...

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... history of the author and the setting of the story play important roles in its interpretation. Unlike many other fictional works, "Young Goodman Brown" has a direct relation to historical people and major events. For instance, some critics assume the story to have taken place around 1691 due the appearance of Goody Close and Martha Carrier, both of whom were tried and convicted of witchcraft ... other fictional works, "Young Goodman Brown" makes a direct relation between historical people and events. For instance, the appearance of Goody Close and Martha Carrier places the story around 1...

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• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... history of the author and the setting of the story play important roles in its interpretation. Unlike many other fictional works, "Young Goodman Brown" has a direct relation to historical people and major events. For instance, some critics assume the story to have taken place around 1691 due the appearance of Goody Close and Martha Carrier, both of whom were tried and convicted of witchcraft ... other fictional works, "Young Goodman Brown" makes a direct relation between historical people and events. For instance, the appearance of Goody Close and Martha Carrier places the story around 1...

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• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... which most of the citizens of Salem became involved. The lying of the citizens goes far beyond that of witch accusations. There is an intricate lying triangle among three main characters: John Proctor, Mary Warren, and Abigail Williams. John and Abigail knew each other with an intimacy that many in that day and age did not experience with anyone but their spouses. Adulterous history flows ... between them. Abigail, a young, beautiful woman, has shared the bed of the Married John Proctor. Abigail, also the instigator of the witch accusations holds a power over the Proctor's servant: Mary...

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... that God was at the forefront of their minds, he was to motivate all of their actions. (Source #2) The famous Salem Witch Trials was a true history based on the Puritans value, customs, and also their beliefs. Salem was a village that was running based on Puritan's theology. Those who followed Satan were considered witches. Witchcraft was one of the greatest crimes a person could commit ... , punishable by death. (Source #3) The Salem Witch Trials was caused by a lot of factors. One of it was the choosing of the ministers of the church. ... women were considered lustful by nature. (Sour...

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