The Salem Witch Trials Women s Struggle - 1142 Words

The Salem Witch trials caused the deaths of many women, but it also helped many women gain power among a male dominated society. The Salem Witch trials gave women the power to accuse other people of joining forces with the Devil, thus it also gave women the power to kill off the members of society that they disliked. However, women did not exactly have the power to accuse anyone of witchcraft, they only had the power to accuse other women of witchcraft. This caused a war amongst women as they constantly accused each other of witchcraft in order to save themselves, or in order to get rid of women who caused them trouble in the past. The Salem witch trials did not last forever, but a women’s struggle to gain power in a patriarchal society is still a problem that exists today. Witchcraft was a way for women to assert their will and power in a system dominated by men. And although witch trials are part of America’s history now, a woman’s struggle to have the same r ights as men is still an issue that continues to persist in society today. The Salem Witch trials did not actually give women power, rather it gave them the perception of power. The difference between the perception of power and real power is that the perception of power doesn’t raise the discriminated group (in this case the women) up to the status of those who discriminate against them. In other words, they don’t have any real power, for they cannot do anything to raise their own status, they can only lower theShow MoreRelatedThe Salem Witch Trials Essay1674 Words   |  7 PagesAlthough many people have their assumptions as to what specifically caused the Salem Witch Trials, no one has a definite account. One must use logic and prior knowledge to come to the conclusion and realize that multiple factors play a key role in causing the trials. The Salem Witch Trials were caused by religion, politics, teenage boredom, family feuds, economic conditions, and fears of the people. The overall effect of the trials was a major part in American histo ry, not only was it a learning experienceRead MoreThe Salem Witch Trials Essay1584 Words   |  7 PagesThe Salem Witch Trials Throughout our nation s history, Americans have survived times of struggle by remaining strong and brave despite their fears. Disease, natural disasters, and starvation are just a few of the trials our country has faced. While these are certainly dangerous, perhaps the most frightening of all is when you fear those closest to you. This is what happened during the horrific frenzy labeled as the Salem Witch Trials. Nobody truly knows why they occurred, although there are severalRead MoreSociological And Societal Issues That Influenced The Sweeping Accusations Of The Salem Witch Trials Essay1620 Words   |  7 Pagesculture contributed to sociological and societal issues that influenced the sweeping accusations of the Salem Witch Trials. The â€Å"witch hunt† frenzy began in Salem Village in early 1692 all due to two young girls influence. Three main societal issues prevalent at this time could have led to the hysteria and rapid movement of the witch hunt idea. The chaotic begi nnings in leadership of the church at Salem Village, the strict Puritan lifestyle and beliefs of villagers, and the entertainment value of witchcraftRead MoreAnalysis Of The Book The Devil On The Shape Of A Woman By Carol Karlsen Essay1637 Words   |  7 Pagestake on the trials. Karlsen wrote The Devil in the Shape of a Woman: Witchcraft in Colonial New England in 1987, a book examining the role of women in the Salem Witch Trials. Karlsen was â€Å"concerned with the meaning of witchcraft for New England’s first settlers†¦ and why most witches in early American society were women.† Karlsen obviously felt that there was a disparity of the female perspective in the previous Salem interpretations. She focused on the social and economic roles women held and asRead More`` The Republic Of Nature `` By Mark Fiege, The Salem Witch Trials, And Natural Law1032 Words   |  5 PagesNature surrounds humanity as a sovereign witness to man’s most astounding triumph s, and the disgusting atrocities perpetrated by man against his fellow man. Regardless of the circumstances, nature remains unbiased in the face of all conflicts and struggles. Nature cannot deceive or mislead like humanity can. It is for this reason why nature has an ideal perspective to view history. As shown through Mark Fiege’s book The Republic of Nature: an Environmental History of the United States, the lense ofRead MoreThe Story Of The Salem Witch Trials983 Words   |  4 PagesSalem Witch Trials The story of the Salem Witch Trials is a sad and convoluted one that shows the impact of supposition spun out of control. What began with the mysterious symptoms exhibited by a few young girls eventually over took the entire community. As pressure was placed upon the accused and the accusers more were drawn into the affair some used it as a convenient opportunity to settle other scores under the guide of saving the community from witchcraft. The Accusers The story of theRead MoreThe Vengeful Heart That Ignites The Hysteria Of The Salem Witch Trials1670 Words   |  7 PagesIgnites the Hysteria of the Salem Witch Trials The ability to live one’s life to the fullest is a God-given right that no one should have to suppress. In the rigid structure of Puritan settlements, there was minimal room to explore life, especially if you were a young Puritan woman. Women were required to sit silently and obey their husbands, take care of the children and the house, and attend church like good Christian wives. However, as in all human beings, these women had temptations and sinfulRead MoreEssay on Crucible vs Muslim Treatment Post 9/111054 Words   |  5 Pagessent the Puritan society of Salem, Massachusetts into a state of utter hysteria in the year 1692, when one of the worlds most infamous witch hunts occurred. Arthur Millers play, The Crucible, is a historical fiction depicting the events of the Salem Witch Trials. A witch hunt is a political campaign launched on the pretext of investigating activities subversive to the state. Every witch hunt is identifiable by the five key elements; the use of a sc apegoat, a struggle to maintain moral order, a subversiveRead MoreThe Salem Witch Trials Remain As A Main Area Of Interest For Colonial Historians943 Words   |  4 PagesThe Salem Witch Trials remain as a main area of interest for colonial historians, for the very way that actual lives were taken for only the sake of internalized cultural normalities. In fact if one is to look at the way the trials were conducted, it could be said that they highlight the underlying fears and beliefs that the citizens of Massachusetts believed to be completely true. The irrational nature of the trials is best illustrated through the view of the accused witches, whose accusations followRead MoreReligious And Gender Prejudice Were Major Factors That Caused The Salem Witch Trials1999 Words   |  8 Pagesfactors that caused the Salem Witch Trials? The Salem Witch Trials was the time period in which the community tried and burned women that were accused of practicing witchcraft. The trials could easil y be blamed on the fear of the new type of ‘religion’. The witch trials consisted of mostly only women being tried and accused, it also started with a native american woman. The trials have been perceived as a infamous time in American history because they slaughtered 20 young women, while 200 of them were