Essay on "Salem Witch Trials"

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[EXCERPT] . . . .

Salem Witch Trials

A Personal View of the Salem Witch Trials

Sarah Good was a friend of mine. She and I lived next door to each other many years ago, and our children played together. We would spend hours together on our front steps, darning socks and mending the holes in our children's clothes. Sarah was a pious woman, and outwardly she put on a happy face, but few people had lived a life as tough as she. When she was but 17, in 1672, her father killed himself. He had been a prosperous man, but Sarah never saw any of her inheritance -- her mother remarried and Sarah's money went to her step-father. Sarah went on to find happiness with her husband. Daniel, but that happiness was short-lived. He died young and left Sarah with debts. She remarried to Mr. Good, but he was never able to provide for her. She disappeared from my life shortly after the time of their marriage, out of embarrassment, I'm sure. She and Daniel were responsible for Mr. Poole's debts, and they sold everything to satisfy those creditors. We are poor ourselves, and I tried to help Sarah Good as much as I could, but we didn't have much to share. Sarah was desperate and I can't imagine her embarrassment as she begged for food and shelter.

I admit that I was not shocked when Sarah Good was names as a witch by that awful creature Tibulta. Sarah had fallen far from grace by the time Tibulta was handing out accusations. She was the most unhappy, wretched creature I had ever seen. When the people here started refusing her repeated requests for charity, she became belligerent, and was often seen walking through town talking to herself, throwing curses in every direction. After many hours of co

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ntemplation and prayer, I knew that Sarah's bad luck wasn't just coincidence, but she had been corrupted by the Devil. Her life had made her an easy target, and Satan moved in without any protest from her. It is most saddening that her daughter, Dorcas, was caught up in Sarah's misfortune. When the girl was arrested and pointed an accusatory finger at her mother, I knew for sure that what she was saying was true. We all know that children are the targets of witchcraft, and though Dorcas wasn't a victim like those other poor girls, but children are also God's greatest love, and He must have taken a special interest in Dorcas to give her the courage to tell her truth.

I attended the trial, and I am glad I was not called to testify against my former friend. I was conflicted and felt nothing but pity for Sarah Good. I was one of those who thought she deserved compassion rather than punishment. Hers was the only trial I attended and I was shocked by the ferocity of the examination. No matter what she said, her words were never taken for the truth, and it became clear to me that no one was interested at all in what she had to say for herself. She repeatedly claim to scorn the attacks on the children and claimed no knowledge of the spiritual evil, but of course, if Satan was speaking through her, then how could we believe any of her words? If she had signed on, as Tituba had, with the strange man from Boston, the devil in disguise, how could she tell the truth? The evidence I… READ MORE

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Quoted Instructions for "Salem Witch Trials" Assignment:

“

In 1692, in Puritan New England, a group of young girls began to accuse local townspeople of being witches. If you want, you can read about the hysteria online.

Steps:

1. From the websites below pick one of those accused of being a witch.

2. Place yourself in the mindset of a 17th century Puritan.

3. Ask yourself what kind of evidence they accepted?

4. Make a case against your person.

5. Then give them a verdict from the perspective of a 17th century puritan.

Only Use these Primary Source Documents:

http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/salem/witchcraft/

http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/salem.htm

Background Informaton:

On Witch trials: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/salem/

http://www.salemwitchtrials.com/salemwitchcraft.html

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