Post by Dominick on Nov 20, 2008 1:10:54 GMT -5
Got a 80 on this one... I worked really hard though, four hours.
Any opnions?
Dominick Torro
Period 2
Why Did The Salem Witch Trials Occur?
Borrowed Theology and Back Up
Everyone has heard the story of the Salem Witch Trials. If one were to mention it in a group, there might be a good conversation there after. In short account, a group of girls were having odd symptoms and the citizens of Salem blamed it on witchcraft, and hysteria followed soon after. Here the reason for which the hysteria occured will be examined. The reason why the Trials happened is because of the Puritan’s theological beliefs. This includes similarities in Europe and other literary works, Arthur Miller’s, The Crucible.
In all actuality, witchcraft was no new news to the global scene. In fact, witchcraft had been going on in Europe long before the Salem hysteria. Here, one author backs this up with, “...more than one hundred and thirty thousand were executed in England, Scotland, France, and Germany under the same pretext.”(packet). So, people in Europe were already paranoid about witchcraft, and didn’t want to see the devil inhabit a human’s body. Furthermore, another article states, when speaking of the Salem incident, “...of these nineteen were judicially condemned and were put to death.”(packet). The Puritans in Salem actually are more sane than the people in Europe considering: the Salem incident was the last on in America and similar incidents occurred in Europe for years to come. Witchcraft in Europe actually makes the Salem “hysteria” seem a lot less hysteric.
Continuing, the idea of a theologic reason coincides with a primary source and the play The Crucible. From said primary source it discusses how Satan would make compacts with people and, “...that he caused such to sign their names in blood in a little red book.”(packet). This is a shared similarity with The Crucible. Several times its mentioned by numerous characters that “they made a compact with the devil.” or “they singed the devil’s book”. (The Crucible) Since these two sources share this, one can conclude that it can be cemented into fact. This furthers the argument for a theological reason being the source of the entire hysteria.
On the other hand, there are other theories that claim to explain why the Salem Witch Trials happened. One explanation states that the incident occurred because of a physical ailment, that was harming the girls. While this is plausible, considering the girls were acting sick and so forth, the article offered very little evidence, and not enough to convince someone. A second explanation said that a socioeconomic reason was the real cause, but in the passage, evidence was found to actually prove the theory of theological reasoning. It was said, “...feared witches, who appeared human but whose power, they thought, came from the devil.” (packet). This, in all actuality, gives more support to theology.
To wrap up, a theological belief of witches was the real cause to the witch trials in Salem, Massachusetts. This is supported by the happenings in Europe and the similarities in works of literature. Whether the devil’s book was signed or a witch confessed, theology is the backbone to the Puritan society, and, living under a theocracy, they therefore believed in their religion enough to govern their lives.
Any opnions?
Dominick Torro
Period 2
Why Did The Salem Witch Trials Occur?
Borrowed Theology and Back Up
Everyone has heard the story of the Salem Witch Trials. If one were to mention it in a group, there might be a good conversation there after. In short account, a group of girls were having odd symptoms and the citizens of Salem blamed it on witchcraft, and hysteria followed soon after. Here the reason for which the hysteria occured will be examined. The reason why the Trials happened is because of the Puritan’s theological beliefs. This includes similarities in Europe and other literary works, Arthur Miller’s, The Crucible.
In all actuality, witchcraft was no new news to the global scene. In fact, witchcraft had been going on in Europe long before the Salem hysteria. Here, one author backs this up with, “...more than one hundred and thirty thousand were executed in England, Scotland, France, and Germany under the same pretext.”(packet). So, people in Europe were already paranoid about witchcraft, and didn’t want to see the devil inhabit a human’s body. Furthermore, another article states, when speaking of the Salem incident, “...of these nineteen were judicially condemned and were put to death.”(packet). The Puritans in Salem actually are more sane than the people in Europe considering: the Salem incident was the last on in America and similar incidents occurred in Europe for years to come. Witchcraft in Europe actually makes the Salem “hysteria” seem a lot less hysteric.
Continuing, the idea of a theologic reason coincides with a primary source and the play The Crucible. From said primary source it discusses how Satan would make compacts with people and, “...that he caused such to sign their names in blood in a little red book.”(packet). This is a shared similarity with The Crucible. Several times its mentioned by numerous characters that “they made a compact with the devil.” or “they singed the devil’s book”. (The Crucible) Since these two sources share this, one can conclude that it can be cemented into fact. This furthers the argument for a theological reason being the source of the entire hysteria.
On the other hand, there are other theories that claim to explain why the Salem Witch Trials happened. One explanation states that the incident occurred because of a physical ailment, that was harming the girls. While this is plausible, considering the girls were acting sick and so forth, the article offered very little evidence, and not enough to convince someone. A second explanation said that a socioeconomic reason was the real cause, but in the passage, evidence was found to actually prove the theory of theological reasoning. It was said, “...feared witches, who appeared human but whose power, they thought, came from the devil.” (packet). This, in all actuality, gives more support to theology.
To wrap up, a theological belief of witches was the real cause to the witch trials in Salem, Massachusetts. This is supported by the happenings in Europe and the similarities in works of literature. Whether the devil’s book was signed or a witch confessed, theology is the backbone to the Puritan society, and, living under a theocracy, they therefore believed in their religion enough to govern their lives.
