StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Escaping Salem the Other Witch Hunt of 169 - Book Report/Review Example

Summary
The reporter describes witchcraft as a practice considered outdated in many nations. However, under some circumstances, it may have effects on the lives of people. In developed nations, witchcraft is seen as a belief rather than practice, that is, anyone believing on the effect caused by witchcraft is kind of worshipping the practice itself…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER94.3% of users find it useful
Escaping Salem the Other Witch Hunt of 169
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Escaping Salem the Other Witch Hunt of 169"

 “Escaping Salem the other witch hunt of 169” Witchcraft is a practice considered outdated in many nations. However, under some circumstances, it may have effects on the lives of people. In developed nations, witchcraft is seen as a belief rather than practice, that is, anyone believing on the effect caused by witchcraft is kind of worshipping the practice itself. Because of its religious-like nature, it probes a great trouble handling cases related to it in courts and other judicial houses. The constitution, in most nations, never addresses the issue, in any of its articles or sections. Richard Godbeer’s book, Escaping Salem the other witch-hunt, presents a situation in which an individual is accused of witchcraft in a court. The book handles the Salem Witch Trials of 1692, an occurrence in the US that surprised many individuals, and made Salem village in Connecticut famous. In 1692, Katherine Branch, a seventeen year old Daniel, and Abigail maidservant exhibited puzzling behaviors that appeared to many as possession from another realm. Considering the social aspect of this society, there is misunderstanding and blemish behaviors and thoughts among many people in the village. When Kate displays unordinary behaviors and responses, what comes to everyone’s mind, including, her master and mistress, is witchcraft. The same is true even with a Christian, Bishop Ebenezer. This is quite ironical, as the Bishop’s purpose is to uphold the beliefs in the principles of Christianity that does not allow conviction or beliefs in witchcrafts. “Though some townsfolk remained suspicious, many became convinced-among them Ebenezer Bishop-that Kate was indeed bewitched” (Godbeer 4). In addition, the people’s belief in witchcraft is also depicted through stereotyping and associating certain persons in the book as witchcrafts. Their reactions after hearing and getting the behaviors of the girl prompt them to make a conclusion and come up with the most probable suspects. Their most probable suspects are Mercy Disborough and Elizabeth Clawson. “No one in the town was surprised when Katherine Branch named Elizabeth Clawson as one of her tormentors” (Godbeer 4). The societal social aspect of the people in this village is also portrayed in the book through the ways in which they relate to one another, as well as their perspective to each other’s character and beliefs. This has been brought to light through the judgment of the court witchcraft related cases. The book reveals that during the early summers of 1692, the magistrate became convinced that there was existence of witchcraft and, thus, made a decision to take any witchcraft related cases serious. However, what brought about confusion is how these cases could be handled; they could not be categorized under murder since there was no substantial and convincing evidences to prove this. The magistrates referred to it as invincible crime. After coming to a decision and conviction that people were actually bewitched in areas such as Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Stamford, they began convicting and hanging people who were accused of bewitching others. This indicates the existence of inhuman and unlawful behaviors of the societal members. The society no longer follows or utilizes its legal systems appropriately. There was no provision in the American constitution that handled or took care of individuals convicted of witchcraft. “…magistrates began convicting and hanging witch suspects in Salem based on evidence that some observers found problematic” (Godbeer 6). In addition to the above, there is no understanding or unity among the members of the societies described in this book. This is evident with the onset of the second phase of this story. It mainly handles the appointment of a new judge whose role is to handle occult cases; that of Clawson and Disborough included. The two women were accused of having “in preternatural way afflicted and done harm and estates of sundry of their majesties” (Godbeer 6). This was meant to provide a solution by which the controversial issue could be handled well. However, this did not work as expected as the roles of judges and magistrates surrounding the chosen judge were assumed by the villagers who acted in an unprofessional way against or in support of the judge. Quite a good number supported Disborough while others were against her. The same applied to Clawson. The idea of supporting and opposing the two convicts at the court is pithy evidence enough to conclude that the society consists of people of diverse ideas. The support in the above case comes in because of two probable reasons; friendship or relations. Argumentatively, Disborough’s supporters were mainly her friends and relatives. The same case is true with Clawson. From this perspective, it is convincingly true that the society is affected with the infection of social and development enemies such as nepotism and corruption. From the above illustrations, it is true that Salem Village and other mentioned areas are facing many controversies concerning occult issue. This has given rise to other issues that negatively affect the same society. As discussed in the last part of the essay, misunderstanding among villagers led to other favoritism behaviors. Work Cited Godbeer, Richard. Escaping Salem: The Other Witch Hunt of 1692. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005. Print. Read More

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Escaping Salem the Other Witch Hunt of 169

Global Market Significance of Kuwait Coffee Shop Brand

In addition, it will work towards investment of the profits realized so as to keep faith with its employees and shareholders (Giovannucci and Ponte, 2005) Problem Definition According to Golding and Peattie (2005), going into the coffee shop business will mean that the company comes with suitable strategies to ensure production of quality coffee that is unique from the other coffee shops.... Hire highly qualified personnel bearing unique coffee preparation techniques, and offer training to the other staff in the same line of coffee preparation and customer attendance....
9 Pages (2250 words) Essay

Escaping Salem the Other Which Hunt of 1692

This essay focuses on the book Escaping Salem: the other witch hunt of 1692 written by Richard Goldbeer.... Author Richard Goldbeer is trying to deconstruct these trends in his book Escaping Salem: the other witch hunt of 1692.... Author Richard Goldbeer is trying to deconstruct these trends in his book Escaping Salem: the other witch hunt of 1692.... Escaping Salem: the other witch hunt of 1692.... In this book Goldbeer describes and analyzes the events surrounding the lesser known witch hunt of 1692 Stamford, Connecticut....
4 Pages (1000 words) Book Report/Review

Salem Trials in Parallel with the Cold War and Arms Race

Like in the Salem witch hunt, where politics played its role when the church showed to its subject the kind of punishment that shall be suffered by those who violated, a classic means of acquiring obedience is by inflicting terror upon the subject.... The cold war was characterized by political competition, the desire to prevail over the other as what was happening with the US and the USSR.... In America, a massive hunt for communist began.... The arrest, prosecution and execution of the Rosenbergs started the massive hunt for treacherous act which denotes how suspicions play a role in one's decision over the inherent right to be heard and to live freely....
6 Pages (1500 words) Essay

The Role of Religious Strife in the Witch Hunts in Switzerland

One of the debates among several scholars and historians is from the witch hunts of early, modern Europe.... More importantly, there are different questions over why it happened and the results that have occurred in history as a result of the witch hunts.... Evaluating the legitimacy of these specific points in time creates a deeper meaning and holistic viewpoint of what occurred because of the witch hunts.... he earlier concepts of witch hunts of early modern Europe were based around the viewpoint of historians, specifically from a religious point of view....
11 Pages (2750 words) Book Report/Review

Analysis of Escaping Salem Book by Richard Godbeer

"Analysis of Escaping Salem Book by Richard Godbeer" paper focuses on the book which is a literary discourse that covers the early American history of the witch hunt in 1692.... The book escaping salem takes the reader through the Connecticut courtroom.... escaping salem offers an insightful revelation of lifestyle in early seventeenth-century America....
1 Pages (250 words) Essay

Business Policy & Strategy

109) that can get financial support, in other words, forms initiatives closer to those that were accepted and turned out to be successful earlier.... The author of this essay "Business Policy & Strategy" touches upon the existing business strategies.... It is mentioned here that as a company starts trading in the high-end market, it is not feasible to move back or enter the market for cheaper products....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay

Escaping Salem: The Other Witch Hunt of 1692

This essay "Escaping Salem: the other witch hunt of 1692" discusses Katherine's testimonies before the court became more and more questionable.... Escaping Salem: the other witch hunt of 1692.... ifferences between Salem witch hunt and Stamford Witch Trials ... The trial of Disborough and Clawson would confirm the diplomatic and judicial talents of Jones and the other magistrates.... witch Trials of the 17th Century The Credibility of Katherine Branch Katherine Branch's credibility as an accuser is questionable....
8 Pages (2000 words) Essay

Analysis of Escaping Salem: The Other Witch Hunt of 1692 by Richard Goldbeer

The author examines "Escaping Salem: the other witch hunt of 1692" book by Richard Goldbeer in which the writer describes the events surrounding the lesser known witch hunt of 1692 Stamford.... Author Richard Goldbeer is trying to deconstruct these trends in his book Escaping Salem: the other witch hunt of 1692.... Escaping Salem: the other witch hunt of 1692.... In this book Goldbeer describes and analyzes the events surrounding the lesser known witch hunt of 1692 Stamford, Connecticut....
4 Pages (1000 words) Book Report/Review
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us