How Puritan gender politics reflected in Salem witch trials
In late 16th Century a new religious movement established in New England known as “Puritanism” a group of English Protestants. By 1630 Puritans migrated to Massachusetts from England due to several reasons, including the desire to escape religious persecution, anxiety about the future of England, and the prospect of economic betterment. They migrated with their families and settled down. The society believed that the man had power over the household. The role of a woman during this period was limited, it was believed that women were there to take care of the household and take care of the children. Women, children and servants obeyed the master of the house. Women were limited to …show more content…
Salem village was not the only place witchcraft was found in before 1692 in New England trials were conducted and people were charged and executed. The first witchcraft came out in Salem Village when the Samuel Parris the reverend daughter and niece was behaving in an unexplainable manner screaming, screeching, throwing tantrums and complaining of being pinched and pricked for which the doctor could have an answer as they did not show physical symptoms hence he claimed it to be cursed by a witch. After which numerous other girls in the town started behaving the same way hence people “women” mainly were accused of witchcraft. Taking account of the trials and executions preceded the majority accused were women out of 140 trials approximately 33 were against men. And from the 20 executed 13 were women and 7 men. Taking to account the women who were executed among whom were Bridget Bishop on June 10th; five women on July 19th including Sarah Good, Elizabeth How, Susannah Martin, Rebecca Nurse and Sarah Wilds; on August 19th Martha Carrier was executed; and on September 22nd Martha Corey, Mary Easter, Alice Parker, Mary Parker, Ann Pudeator and Margaret Scott was …show more content…
Afterwards the accusers were brought in front of the court of Oyer and Terminer before three judges and a jury. The courts did not have woman as judges or on the Jury. And the accusers were not given a lawyer to represent themselves; they were charged guilty using spectral evidence. During the trials as the accusers enter the court room the prosecutors claimed of being tortured. Most prosecutors were women. It’s claimed that the accusers have threatened and bewitched the prosecutors. Almost all of those who have been accused have approached the bewitched with a book on which once you sign you turn into a witch, this book called the devils book. Abigail Williams was claimed a victim of all the men and women who were executed. The women claimed of being pinched and pricked by the witches. And during the trials when the accuser was being questioned the bewitched girls claim that they can see a black man whispering in the accuser’s ears; and a yellow bird pricking the witch’s finger. However these were only accused for the witches and not at the wizards. Taking to account how more or less were killed and the others were only imprisoned the difference was that if the accuser accepts and gives names of other witches and wizards they will be excused
In late 16th Century a new religious movement established in New England known as “Puritanism” a group of English Protestants. By 1630 Puritans migrated to Massachusetts from England due to several reasons, including the desire to escape religious persecution, anxiety about the future of England, and the prospect of economic betterment. They migrated with their families and settled down. The society believed that the man had power over the household. The role of a woman during this period was limited, it was believed that women were there to take care of the household and take care of the children. Women, children and servants obeyed the master of the house. Women were limited to …show more content…
Salem village was not the only place witchcraft was found in before 1692 in New England trials were conducted and people were charged and executed. The first witchcraft came out in Salem Village when the Samuel Parris the reverend daughter and niece was behaving in an unexplainable manner screaming, screeching, throwing tantrums and complaining of being pinched and pricked for which the doctor could have an answer as they did not show physical symptoms hence he claimed it to be cursed by a witch. After which numerous other girls in the town started behaving the same way hence people “women” mainly were accused of witchcraft. Taking account of the trials and executions preceded the majority accused were women out of 140 trials approximately 33 were against men. And from the 20 executed 13 were women and 7 men. Taking to account the women who were executed among whom were Bridget Bishop on June 10th; five women on July 19th including Sarah Good, Elizabeth How, Susannah Martin, Rebecca Nurse and Sarah Wilds; on August 19th Martha Carrier was executed; and on September 22nd Martha Corey, Mary Easter, Alice Parker, Mary Parker, Ann Pudeator and Margaret Scott was …show more content…
Afterwards the accusers were brought in front of the court of Oyer and Terminer before three judges and a jury. The courts did not have woman as judges or on the Jury. And the accusers were not given a lawyer to represent themselves; they were charged guilty using spectral evidence. During the trials as the accusers enter the court room the prosecutors claimed of being tortured. Most prosecutors were women. It’s claimed that the accusers have threatened and bewitched the prosecutors. Almost all of those who have been accused have approached the bewitched with a book on which once you sign you turn into a witch, this book called the devils book. Abigail Williams was claimed a victim of all the men and women who were executed. The women claimed of being pinched and pricked by the witches. And during the trials when the accuser was being questioned the bewitched girls claim that they can see a black man whispering in the accuser’s ears; and a yellow bird pricking the witch’s finger. However these were only accused for the witches and not at the wizards. Taking to account how more or less were killed and the others were only imprisoned the difference was that if the accuser accepts and gives names of other witches and wizards they will be excused